Building maintenance

Maintenance of our Grade 2* listed building is an ongoing concern. It is a heritage asset with a unique history as well as being a wonderful venue for creative, spiritual and recreational activities as well as holiday breaks. This year, we are spending significant funds on repairing the outside rendee of the building and applying the required limewash finish. We also need some repairs to make the rooves of the main building and the barn waterproof after strong winds and rain. 

We are grateful for grant received from the Benefact Trust towards our recent building maintenance work. The Benefact Trust is a Christian charity which aims to help churches and Christian organisations to continue their work and benefit their community.

Resident Friend

Michael Loader and Gail Mason served as resident part-time wardens for fourteen years from 2000 and we were very grateful for their service. Fortunately, we didn't have to say 'goodbye' to them as they moved next door to Green Farm Cottage, which they bought and refurbished. Following a recruitment process and interviews, the Trustees and Management Committee appointed Lizi Phippen in July 2014 to be the new Resident Friend at Claverham. Lizi is a part-time teacher in a primary school in Portishead and has her roots and connections in the local community. Lizi has a degree in Design & Photography and she brings a range of practical skills to the position at Claverham. 

Cyclists and music camp at Claverham

At the beginning of July, 28 cyclists set out from Bristol on cycling trip of the South West. Their first overnight stop was at Claverham and the evening included discussion on forms of environmental activism. They found the Meeting House a perfect setting for a thoughtful evening, followed by camping in the grounds as well as using the accommodation to its capacity.

A month later, the Meeting House and grounds were full to capacity again as the music camp organised by Pat and David Bass returned to Claverham for the fifth time. Claverham is the perfect setting for summer evenings of shared meals on the patio followed by Elgar, Debussy, Mozart or Haydn in the Meeting House.

North Somerset Arts Week

Claverham Meeting House hosts two of the venues for North Somerset Arts Week, held every two years. In 2021 it was be held in September . There were exhibitions in the Barn organised by Claverham artist Gail Mason with two fellow artists and an exhibition in the Meeting Room organised by Margaret Micklewright. Over 500 visitors attended. In 2023, North Somerset Arts Week was in the spring and total number visiting were over 800. 

Quaker Area Meeting meets at Claverham

History was made as the newly established North Somerset Area Meeting met for the first time in 2011. The chosen venue was our historic meeting house at Claverham. There was a short time of deep shared worship, followed by some necessary routine business. Formal minutes were passed, appointments made and a Governing Document adopted. There followed some free sharing of ideas and hopes for our new Area Meeting. Since then, the quarterly held Area Meeting has met at Claverham once a year and meets at Clevedon, Sidcot and Weston-super-Mare Quaker Meeting Houses for the other three meetings. In 2020, Area Meeting could not take place at Claverham because of the Covid 19 pandemic. 

North Somerset Area Meeting returned to Claverham in November 2022 for full day, which included a workshop facilitated by our Local Development Worker, Jac Blacker. Area Meeting met again at Claverham in November 2023.