Our website is always changing. Whether updating pages, adding relevant articles or information and pictures, it is constantly being improved.
If you have a question about thatch, please always search the site before emailing or calling.
We have added some very useful articles to our website and we really are so pleased to have received such positive feedback, thank you. As ever we have more planned….
Here’s some of the recent enhancements:-
Update on the rare Scarlet Malachite Beetle & thatch! Please read & keep your eyes open folks. Thanks to Life Forms Arts for some of the marvellous pictures.
Our last Bi-annual email Newsletter #32 up on the website for those of you who missed it.
All our Gorgeous Thatch Galleries are now on the Resources page of our website. Ideas, inspiration and enjoyment of some wonderful pictures – all including Thatch. Always happy to add pictures and credit the owner. Enjoy!
Our First Thatch Questions article covers some of the general enquiries we receive and help with – from Insurance to Inspections, listed properties to listed for sale…. etc.
Second article looking at the Thatching Questions we have been responding to recently… Lots to say on this one…
Recent thatch fire caused by out of control bonfire. Our Thatch & Bonfire Risk Article prompted by the dry summer.
Saffron Insurance (Ardonagh). Offering Thatch insurance via a panel of leading insurers.
Simply Thatch joined us as Associates offering a National Thatching Service.
Wise Sweep Ltd – Lady chimney sweep. Association of Professional Independent Chimney Sweeps member and OFTEC installer with great references. Also offers humane honey bee removals
HM Electrical Services (covering Devon area) specialising in thatched & listed properties 15 years’ experience, NAPIT accredited. Great references on his work and attention to detail.
With burning season imminent, we were so pleased to welcome a new Associate Chimney Sweep – The Good Sweep, covering Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridge.
Wiltshire Master Thatchers Association.
Regional groups of Master Thatchers like these are so important to us.
Higos – Now Brown & Brown UK
Different name, same tailored service plus the resources of an international company. Pleased to have them as one of our long standing Specialist Thatch Insurance Associates!
Another group of Master Thatchers who we are very happy to be allied with.
East Midlands Master Thatchers Association. A valuable Organisation with experienced member thatchers covering several counties.
The Home Insurer – Offering their insurance services and experience.
Certis Insurance offer cover for a variety of complex insurance options via experienced consultants.
Continuing support from Thatch Assist.
The Thatch Advice Centre welcome new Associates who can provide specialist services to thatched property owners
Our articles, on a wide variety of thatch topics, stand the test of time. We enjoy sharing relevant and popular past pieces on our social media Flashback Fridays, especially as the content is well received.
Here you go….
“Maintenance and Solid Fuel Appliances in Thatched Properties” Important and useful information with thanks to our Specialist Associates Quantum Chimney Services for their input.
Continuing the theme of reminding you about solid fuel burning “Installing Woodburners in Thatched Properties – Feasibility” with help from our Specialist Associates.
Benefits of Ecodesign Compliant Solid Fuel Stoves for Thatch.
Still relevant as heating and fuel costs continue to be high on everyone’s agenda! Thatch or not. Thanks to Stove Industry Association for their great input on this.
“Dream Thatched Cottage – Finding it” article with wonderful wisdom words from our friends at Heart Felt Home Ltd.
We are always getting enquiries from those looking to purchase thatch, so a very helpful blog. Covering considerations before you start looking, house type and what to do until SOLD!
“Insuring Thatch in the ROI” The situation has sadly not improved. Feel free to email us any updates.
Monday Motivation – Thanks to Ben Fowler for this great entry to our Ridges on Thatch Picture Competition. Be in it to win it folks… Anyone can enter their photos, thatchers, owners or ….
And there is Thatch! The New Forest – Furzey Gardens – Gorgeous garden to visit.
Monday Motivation – Sweeping & checking your chimneys regularly if you burn solid fuels eg. wood, is hugely important. Check out our Thatch Directory for specialist sweeps and Chimney sweep organisations.
PS Active bird nests cannot be touched until the chicks have left.
Wonderful Wednesday – Good news last month from Kingsbridge & Salcombe Gazette letting us know that the rethatching of the Playhouse at Dartington Trust has started (as they reached their fundraising target) Well done everyone!
Wednesday Windows. We love these windows and thatch shape on this unusual building. Thanks to D. G. Shelley Master Thatcher Ltd for this picture.
Great info from our Associates Heritage Cob and Lime
Why cob works in the UK? Temperate climate suits the breathability and thermal mass of cob. Cob has been used in the UK for at least 1,000 years, with some surviving buildings dating back to the 13th & 14th centuries. Regional hotspots include areas such as Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, parts of Wales and areas with suitable subsoil and mild, damp climates.
Worthy Wednesday. Appreciating this unique thatched property with its tall chimney, complex design and character! Thanks to K Beverley for the picture.
2nd May – Frustrating Friday. Too many thatch fires in the last few weeks. This time of year seems to be a problem. Is it lack of maintenance & checks on chimneys, when solid fuel burning? Both open fires & woodburners? Do you have a bird guard? Please read our Thatch Fire Safety Leaflet, understand & reduce the risks.
Monday Mention. Our Associates at SMF Crouch are pleased to announce their Thatch Fire Retardant Spray is now being made in the UK and Rebranded as TSFireshield.
Wednesday Wexford Woman – Interesting article in Agriland.ie “29 yr old Wexford woman with a master’s degree in architecture is currently one of 14 learners on a thatching course”. Devised by the The Heritage Council in partnership with Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board. Great to see the enthusiasm and respect for what is involved in thatching and that there are more people learning the craft in Ireland.
Monday Mending. A repair is sometimes the best solution to keep a roof going, in difficult times…
Wednesday Well Done! To all the busy Thatchers out there maintaining our roofs and working in all weather!
Wretched Wednesday. Stoke on Trent thatched cottage fire caused by lorry hitting electric cables which fell onto the thatch. We feel for the owners as this type of fire is an accident no-one would could have anticipated. Glad no one reported hurt.
First Friday Finial Fun. Thanks to K Steadman for their great finial photo – busy with lots of finials! Keep them coming folks (by email please)
Worldly Wednesday. How about Sanok Open Air Museum in Poland? Plenty of interesting thatch here.
Farmer in S Staffordshire has a field of about 8 acres of thatching straw ready to cut. Anyone interested, email us and we will put you in touch.
Monday Mention – Last month Creative Ireland and Offaly Heritage hosted an event. This honoured the tradition of thatched houses and included a short film Harvest Home on the art of thatching.
School Holidays Underway – Who is staying in a thatched hotel, B & B or holiday cottage this year? This thatched hotel is next to a thatched pub, perfect! The Pilgrim, Marchwood.
Monday Mood – How do you feel about historic homes in Ireland using Water Reed instead of Straw?
Our Thatch Directory Chimney Sweeps who offer an essential service to thatch property owners. Make sure your chimney is clean, checked and ready before you use it!
Wednesday Where are you visiting this summer? Guess where these ruins and lovely thatch are? UPDATE – Corfe Castle, Dorset.
Update from the Romford Recorder on the completed restoration of the Upminster Tithe Thatched Barn. Partnership between National Highways and Historic England. Adorned with an ornamental block ridge and finial too.
What do you all think?
Buckinghamshire Council blocked a plan to replace a 19th Century thatched property’s roof with solar panels. What do you think about this?
Spar Making via The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings – A spar making course 6th Nov in Wiltshire Heritage and Rural Skills Centre NT
“with 8 fully-funded bursary places for coppice workers, thatchers and others to learn how to make hazel spars for thatching”. A hybrid CPD training day which may well be of interest to conservation officers, architects, surveyors and homeowners etc.
140 year old historic oak tree remains after thatched roof owner applied to have it felled over concerns about it crushing their home. It’s not just historic homes which need preserving!
We have really appreciated the input from our Specialist Thatch Insurance Associates for our recent regular Thatch Insurance related articles. It is so useful to have explanations on a topic from a variety of sources which clarifies and helps with understanding.
Thatch Insurance and Fire Safety. Please read this, and understand the importance of Insurance and Fire Safety.
Insurance and Solid Fuel Burning With great input from some of our Specialist Thatch Insurers. Thanks to Stubby’s Chimney Sweeping for some helpful pictures too!
Fire Resisting & Fire Barriers, which includes additional information on this topic.
Thatch Insurance and Occupiers. Clarification on the relevance of who is occupying thatched properties is interesting and not always thought about.
Thatch Insurance and Electrics. Important safety information on this topic.
And we have more planned so please keep your eye on our articles section on the website. As usual we will let you know on social media.
