The Ryedale Vernacular Building Materials Research Group was formed in 2002 as a multi-disciplinary research forum to bring together groups, societies, institutions and individuals who have an interest in the vernacular and other buildings of North and East Yorkshire, and in particular the building stones and source quarries. The group aims to:
Survey, identify and record features of vernacular buildings in the study areas
Classify such buildings as High Status or Low Status
Identify and record the rock groups used in their construction
Relate building materials to local geology
Identify and record primary use and/or secondary reused Building Stones
Survey and record sites as potential RIGS (Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphologic Sites) or SSSI/SINCS (Sites of Special Scientific Interest or Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation)
Provide rock sample collections of local building stones for interested parties
Provide rock descriptions/identification for potential surveyors
Raise awareness of the geo-educational value of local building materials, including brick and tiles
Create a database of relevant publications and field reports for sites
From June 2010 the group was inactive, primarily due to the lack of a leader/co-ordinator, although individual members continue to research related areas independently. However, in June 2021 the decision was taken to relaunch the group with a slightly revised remit, and new activities are now underway. The geographical area of study has been broadened and is no longer constrained to Ryedale. If you are interested in joining the new group, please do get in touch via the Contact us page.
Recent and ongoing work by members and associated groups includes:
The RVBMRG with its associated groups have been invited by English Heritage to undertake building stone surveys of several sites, including Burton Agnes Manor House, Kirkham Priory, and the castles of Helmsley, Scarborough and Pickering. Visits have already been made to some of these sites, and reports are now available on our Reports page. Further visits will be arranged during 2025 and the reports will be published on this site when completed.
A Community Archaeology Group has started investigating a number of robbed out Roman villas on the Wolds, including working with the Harpham Villa Landscape Project identifying building materials and their local reuse.
The project 'Chalk as a Building Stone' continues alongside the villa project and with the ongoing research into faults in the chalk. Recent surveys took place of Flamborough Castle and The Chalk Tower.