One of the 60 thatched roofs on the Holnicote Estate in Somerset, where the National Trust aims to become self-sufficient in the production of straw for repairs.

Photo by Chris Wood

References

1 Moir, James and Letts,

John, Thatch: thatching

in England 1790-1 940,

English Heritage

Research Transactions,

Volume 5

Cox, Jo and Letts,

John, Thatch: thatch in

England 1940-1994,

English Heritage

Research Transactions,

Volume 6 2 Letts, John, Smoke Blackened Thatch, English Heritage and the University of Reading, 1999 3 Cox, Jo and Thorp, John, Devon Thatch, Devon Books, 2001 4 www.historicthatch.

co.uk

5 jlthatch@aol.com

Chris Wood works for the building conservation and research team at English Heritage. He sits on the IHBC technical panel and COHT committee.

perfectly good condition. Some impartial testing and validation is needed. English Heritage is currently looking at the feasibility of running tests. While these would still not answer all the uncertainties surrounding the material and the craft of thatching, it could provide some differentiation in performance.

The conservation officer is of course well aware of these issues. Those who have been implementing the advice contained in the English Heritage guidance note Thatch and Thatching may need expert advice, as was expected. Two recent appeal cases highlight this. In both, the inspector allowed the appeals to change the thatch from straw (one case of combed wheat reed, the other long straw) to imported water reed. In both cases the issue of longevity was raised, and the thatcher argued about the need for the more ‘durable’ material because of the proximity to trees. The decisions no doubt hinged on his evidence as the one person with experience of such circumstances. Providing independent advice that backs up the conservation case requires the services of someone of equal standing

— usually an experienced thatcher.

In most cases the owner is advised by the thatcher who may well be biased towards the material with which he or she is most familiar, and which can be most readily obtained. Clearly specialist advice may well be needed if the conservation officer questions alleged shortages of good quality straw or the need to change the material. The Conservation of Historic Thatch (COHT) committee (Context 2000), which includes a number of experienced thatchers and growers, is assembling a list of those able and willing to provide this sort of information to local authorities and owners. The information can be accessed on the website4 or by contacting Jack Lewis5 (former chair of the Thatching National Standards Committee) at the addresses below. A charge will be made for expert advice provided for an appeal statement.

COHT is also involved in growing trials around the

country. These are developing some of the old strains of wheat traditionally used for thatching. It is hoped that these will extend the range of straw available and perhaps prove the assertion that these older strains produce stronger and more durable thatch. The best known site being used is the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate near Exmoor, which aims to be self sufficient in straw, and also in hazel and willow for the spars and sways. COHT is also working on an advisory leaflet, Growing Straw for Thatching. This could answer the many enquiries from farmers anxious to diversify into this market.

The English Heritage guidance note urges local authorities to research their own local traditions. Devon Thatch3, funded by the county council and English Heritage, is a very thorough analysis of that county’s strong tradition. But these initiatives do not need to be elaborate or expensive. Conservation officers in Somerset, Hampshire and Oxfordshire are considering carrying out surveys of their traditions. John Letts has helped English Heritage and East Lindsey district in Lincolnshire to begin the collation of similar information, based on documentary and on- site information. Ideally, a comprehensive survey could be used to develop a local thatching policy which could be included in the development plan.

Conflict still bedevils thatching though. Another body has been set up by a number of individuals with various interests in thatching under the acronym PART (Protection of Ancient Roofing Traditions). Its members consider that the English Heritage guidance note distorts the true history of thatching and is a threat to the ancient tradition.They have yet to publish their own research but they argue that ‘like for like’ philosophies leave no opportunity for improved materials to be used, nor for thatchers to display their ingenuity. These points of contention are unlikely to be resolved quickly.

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CONTEXT 73 : MARCH 2002