Tiles to Thatch Project
How exciting that someone is wanting to convert their GII listed property from tiles to thatch.
We heard from Hazel Jackman, a lovely, enthusiastic person, who had bought a house in Suffolk and is hopeful that it was previously thatched. She wants to make a case in getting this listed property’s roof material changed to thatch and has asked us to help her, via our network of friends and associates, website and social media. How could we say no.
As we get more enquiries from people wanting to do the opposite, we felt that anyone keen to potentially return an old listed property from tiles to thatch should be helped. We have therefore offered to share the story.
This includes background information from her, including when it was purchased (and why), why she wants to thatch the tiled roof, and what information has so far been collated.
The tiles to thatch project plan is definitely underway.
Our hope is that someone out there may have more information on the property’s past, or some pictures of it thatched or any information which can assist her in her endeavours. She could just apply for Listed Building Consent. Having more useful information or proof of the property previously having been thatched would, however, be advantageous to her case.
Please read this article and, if you can help, get in touch with us.
We will pass on your details/information to Hazel.
Let’s start with the story so far. Project to convert the roof at Addison House, The Street, Woolpit, Suffolk IP30 9SA from tiles to thatch.
Background on the Tiles to Thatch Project
Full Address
Addison House, The Street, Woolpit, Suffolk, IP30 9SA
“Addison House is situated in the centre of Woolpit in Suffolk overlooking what is fondly known as “the village triangle”. The house began life as 3 cottages and it’s Grade 2 listing says it’s early 16th century with later additions. Woolpit Village website mentions that historians have speculated on whether the house could have been used as a meeting place for the local Gild because of it’s unusual layout. The property’s deeds mention a harness maker and a drapery shop being users of the premises and in 1897 H. C. Addison opened his village store and lived on the premises in 1897. If you’re interested the Grade 2 Listed building number is TL9737662434 but it’s still listed as H. C. Addison & Son, Green Hill so I must get this updated to Addison House, The Street, Woolpit.”
“Allan and Alaine Weide owned and ran the village store until they retired in 2011 when they converted their village shop into additional living accommodation. H. C. Addison & Son and lived there very happily, renaming the property Addison House. In October 2023 something very special happened when Hazel Jackman was working in the gift shop just a few doors along from Addison House. In came the Avon lady who told X’s boss that Addison House might possibly be coming onto the market. In the pouring rain X’s lovely 85 year old boss Anne went round to see the owners and within 10 minutes Anne returned with the wonderful news “You’ve got first refusal X if Allan and Alaine definitely decide to move”. X held tight for several months and was so delighted to receive the keys to Addison House in October 2023.”
When Hazel purchased the house and why
Addison House was purchased on 13th October 2023. “I wanted to be part of the lovely village of Woolpit and it’s interesting community. Addison House was the best house I viewed after looking and waiting for 18 months for a property to become available in the conservation area of the Woolpit.”
“I loved the space the house provided and the old shop front windows gave Addison House so much light. I felt the house has great potential to become a wonderful and traditional home which in my mind’s eye would suit being returned to a thatch if indeed this early 16th Century property would have started it’s life with a thatched roof.”
Why Hazel wants to change tiles to thatch
“Living in thatched cottage has been a dream since I was a child. I would love to return this wonderfully unique property to resemble how it might have looked in the early 16th Century, when it was 3 separate cottages. Thatching the roof would transform Addison House and to have a thatch being put up in the centre of Woolpit would make everyone in the village really happy because it would be such a wonderful sight in the heart of a medieval village.”
What Hazel has found out so far about the property
Historic England Information
WOOLPIT GREEN HILL TL 9762 5/139 H C Addison & Son – 15.11.54 (formerly listed as Premises opposite the Swan Hotel) GV II Shop and dwelling. Early C16. 2 storeys. 3 windows. 3-cell plan, originally with cross-entry and later converted to lobby entrance. Timber- framed and plastered; the 1st floor is long-wall jettied towards the street. Some areas of early plaster. Plaintiled roof. An axial C17/C18 chimney of red brick. 3-light C19 casements with transomes: a pair of bay shop windows beneath the jetty, flanking the entrance. C19 6-panelled door, the upper 4 panels glazed. A second entrance door similar but with 4 panels; and a third with a good late C16 or early C17 moulded plank door. All 3 cells at ground storey have double-ogee moulded ceiling joists. A cross-entry doorway with 4- centred arched head, in rear wall. Plain C16 crownpost roof, altered later with clasped purlins. The right hand cell appears to be a late C16 rebuilding or extension. To left is a lower single-cell extension of C16 or C17.
Other Information
- The property was H. C. Addison & Son Village Store from 1897 – 2011.
- The Grade 2 Listed Building entry information from 1954
- A house purchase surveyors report saying the house was once 3 cottages
- The reports says the left side single storey was a later extension.
- The previous owners say the small extension at the back of the house is Victorian.
- Returned to a house in 2011
Our Hope for this Tiles to Thatch Project
In conclusion, we made no guarantees to Hazel, but hope that maybe someone has experience in this type of project or has information which can help her in her quest to change the tiles to thatch, lovely thatch. It may not happen, but it might. Then we feel we have done our best in supporting someone in their quest for a thatched roof.
Thank you for reading this and, if you can help in any way, we look forward to hearing from you.