This year’s conference is to taking place in person on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th January 2023 and we are looking forward to welcoming as many participants as possible to College Court in Leicester.

The theme is Trans-National Connections: Vernacular Architecture in Britain & Beyond with keynote speaker Matthew Johnson.

The attached brochure provides full details of the conference and programme.

The Vernacular Architecture Group is able to offer two bursaries to assist registered students (or professionals in the early years of their career) to attend the conference. The Committee is aware that the cost often makes attendance difficult for students and others who might benefit from the lectures and discussions, and from the opportunity to meet people active in the field.  Both full-time and part-time students are welcome to apply.

Applicants must be students of vernacular architecture (or a related discipline) or early career professionals working in the field. There is no application form, but candidates will be expected to write:

1. showing evidence of an active interest in historic buildings, ideally vernacular architecture, including a list of relevant courses undertaken
2. showing evidence that they are active in the field, e.g. by membership of the VAG or other relevant groups, or through relevant work experience
3. explaining how they hope to benefit from attending the conference

Applications from students must be endorsed by a course tutor, and applications from early career professionals must be supported by a professional referee.  Any other financial support available to the applicant for attending the conference must be declared. Applications and tutor endorsements/references should be sent by emailtothe VAG Secretary, Claire Jeffery, email secretary@vag.org.uk to reach her no later than Saturday 3 December.  The bursary will cover the full cost of the £190 conference fee but will not cover travel or any other expenses.

Applicants who are already members of the Group and propose to attend the conference with or without the support of a bursary should ensure a place on the conference by booking in the normal way. Anyone who has booked and paid for a place at their own expense but subsequently obtains a bursary will receive a full refund. Bursary recipients will be asked to write a resume of the conference for the VAG Newsletter.  We hope that they will be sufficiently inspired by the conference to join the VAG if they are not already members.  The VAG Committee would be grateful if you could bring this item to the notice of anyone who is eligible and whom you consider would benefit from attending the conference.