Welcome to the South Petherton Local History Group

The Group arranges talks and visits relating to the history of South Petherton and the surrounding areas. Meetings are held from September to May, usually on the 4th Thursday of each month starting at 7.30pm, but check posters and/or programme for details. These take place in The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, TA13 5AA. Please use the side entrance on Roundwell Steet - this has level access.

We have a full programme of speakers - see details below.

The Group owns the archive of Whites Stores, South Petherton's pharmacy & general store for many years in the 20th century. If you would like to search this archive, please email us.

The Group has produced three publications.

• “Explore South Petherton’s Past” - this booklet guides you around several walks in the village, describing the history of what you see. 36pages. Illustrated, with map. Revised 2017. Price £3.
• “South Petherton in the Olden Time” by local physician and historian, Dr. Hugh Norris, a reprint of a lecture given by him in 1879. 140 pages. Third Edition 2000.
• "South Petherton in the Twentieth Century - A Village Album” by local contributors. 175 pages, illustrated throughout. First Edition 2000.

We have run out of printed copies of both "in the Olden Time" and "Village Album" books, but they are available as pdf files on a single USB stick. Price £5.

The "Explore" booklet booklet and USB stick can be purchased at any of our monthly meetings, or contact us via email to arrange delivery (+ p&p).

The "Explore" booklet can also be purchased from South Petherton Community Library; just ask at the library desk.

The Group is a member of the British Association for Local History (BALH) and the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society (SANHS). By becoming a member of SPLHG you will receive newsletters and other useful information from these associations, forwarded by email.

2026/2027 Meetings

All meetings are held at The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, TA13 5AA, starting at 7.30pm.

Provisional programme:

24th Sep 2026 AGM at 7.15pm followed by  “Stone Masonry, Stone Carving and Mosaics at Cathedrals and Abbeys” with Architectural Conservator, Nick Durnan

22nd Oct 2026 “The History of our close neighbour, Lopen” with Joan Farris

26th Nov 2026 “Hinton St George – a potted history of the village and the Poulett Family” with Hinton Historians    

* * * NO MEETING IN DECEMBER * * *

28th Jan 2027 “The Skeleton Behind the Plough: George Mitchell and the plight of local agricultural labourers” with Denny Robins, Tintinhull Local History Group

25th Feb 2027 “The Astonishing Local 18th Century Polymath and Surveyor James Quantock and his little book” with Ed Lorch

25th Mar 2027 “The Roman Effect – how the Roman town of Ilchester influenced outlying settlements” with Historian and archaeologist, John Smith

22nd Apr 2027 "The History of Westland" with Jeremy Graham, Westland Archivist

27th May 2027 “Member's Miscellany” with presentations by our own members

* * * SUMMER BREAK – JUNE, JULY, AUGUST * * *        

23rd Sep 2027 AGM and talk TBA

There is a small entry charge for each meeting, payable at the entrance desk. Alternatively, take out our annual membership which entitles you to free admission to all of the above meetings, and you will also be kept up to date on Group news & other events by email. The Subscription year starts on the 1st October.

                                                                Per Meeting    or    Annual Membership
                 Adult (18yrs & over)                     £3                                £10
                 Under 18yrs                                £1.50                              £5
                 Under 14yrs                                 Free                              Free

If you live away from South Petherton, or do not attend regular meetings, why not register as a “Friend”? You will be kept up to date on Group news & other events by email. There is no charge for registering as a “Friend”, although any donation to help with costs would be very much appreciated.

To join as a Member or Friend, please contact our Membership Secretary (splhg.membership@gmail.com)

Last revised 7th August 2026