Water Reed in East Sussex
The Thatch Advice Centre was pleased to receive an interesting email from a landowner in East Sussex about some potential water reed for harvesting. We are fully aware of the thatching material situation and that improving our sustainability is high on many agendas.
We felt that we should write a short article explaining about this potential in order to reach as many people as possible. Hopefully someone will take up the challenge and make it into a worthwhile and profitable venture. For reference, a prepared 60 circumference Water Reed bundle is currently around £4.
If you want to know more about this land please see below and, if you are interested in harvesting it for thatching material, please email us with your contact details with the heading Water Reed Potential and we will forward to the landowner so you can discuss your interest and options.
Information on Water Reed
The majority of Water Reed (Phragmites Australis) used for thatching in this country is imported from places such as China, and Europe e.g. Austria, Hungary, France and Poland. There are areas where Water Reed is still harvested in the UK, primarily in East Anglia and the product is known as Norfolk Reed.
The costs of imported Water Reed have increased in recent years for a variety of reasons. Production at home has therefore benefits of not only sustainability but also it has become a more worthwhile material to produce, where previously it was not felt to be competitive.
Water Reed is generally thought to be a more long-lasting material than the straw, although this is always open for debate! It is, usually, the material used on new builds as it is generally quicker and easier to apply, so often more cost effective.
Imagine, if we could get more people together to manage and harvest smaller reed beds in the UK (as was done in the past e.g. Lymington and Totton reed beds near Thatch HQ). We have friends and associates who are harvesting materials for their own use. Perhaps going back to manage and harvest these old reed growing areas will be a way forward. Would be good to keep the skills and knowledge. This may well reduce the reliance on so much being imported, although will still be required we feel.
Useful video on Water Reed harvesting in UK
Have a look at this great video on You Tube showing one way to harvest Water Reed for thatching. It includes a lot of useful information if you are thinking about this option.
Useful Additional Information
The British Reed Growers Association has plenty of valuable and useful information if you want to know more about the UK reed cutting and how it is done etc. A very useful resource for anyone who may be interested in pursuing this potential water reed land.
The Potential Water Reed Area
There are approximately 4 acres of currently unmanaged land with potential to produce water reed bundles for thatching. This land apparently has good access. Bringing it back in to production to produce a viable and valuable thatching material is worthwhile exploring. We understand there is also potential for grants.
Get in Touch
If you are interested in knowing more about this potential water reed area in East Sussex to harvest, then please email us with your name and phone number and we will pass it on so the landowner can get in touch.
Alternatively, if you have land with Water Reed which could be harvested for thatching material, why not get in touch with us or contact the British Reed Growers Association. Working together is our motto!!
We will update this page as necessary and in due course.