Date: -
Address: 59A Main Road, Dorchester, DT2 7ET
Audience: SPAB Members and their guests
Price:
£10 Members
£12 Non-Members
Event details
Saturday 10 October
10am - 1pm
Join the Dorset Group on a visit to the 1818 Tolpuddle Old Chapel. We'll hear from Victoria Wales from Architecton, lead conservation architect for the project, to learn about the building's history, the process of repair, and aspirations for the Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust.
This building started life in 1818 as a Wesleyan Chapel. It was built by local residents including agricultural labourers using traditional materials and techniques of the area. Some of the early worshippers there later became known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
Later in the 19th century, a new Methodist chapel was built nearby, and the old building fell into agricultural use. It was ‘rediscovered‘ in a decayed condition in the 1980s and was then Listed Grade II* mainly for the historical connections.
The Old Chapel has now been repaired and extended with the assistance of several agencies and is operated by the Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust as a public resource.
Our speaker, Victoria Wales from Architecton, was the lead conservation architect for the project.
Dorset Group has been attempting to visit the building for some time but was unsuccessful in gaining access while the repairs were taking place. We now have the opportunity to visit and learn more about the building’s history, the process of repair, and the aspirations of the Trust. Providing information and education on the conservation of traditional buildings is one of their principal objectives and SPAB hopes to be able to work with the Trust for mutual benefit.
The Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust will provide a self-guided walk around the village taking in the Martyrs Museum and other Martyrs-related sites in the village. And suggest the Martyrs Inn nearby will be open for lunch – booking advised 01305 602115.
You will need
No special clothing/equipment required.
How to get there
59A Main Road
Tolpuddle, Dorchester
DT2 7ET
Accessibility
The building is accessible.
Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email membership@spab.org.uk.
Photos and filming:We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online. Participants may take photos and short videos for personal use, with permission of the course leader and all other participants in frame. If you want to post on social media, please message SPAB's Comms Team (press@spab.org.uk or @spab1877) for permission. If your material is good, we might ask to share it with our followers.
All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
Photo credit: Peter Brachi