Thatching Course - 10th August 2019

Learn about traditional and sustainable early thatching methods, including those to be used on the live reconstruction of the Anglo-Saxon, House of Wessex. 

You will learn how to use the materials and techniques to be used on the roof including laying turf over wattle hurdles, processing straw into yelms and bundles spar coating the thatch, dressing with a Leggett and gaining the required depth of fixings and overall depth of coat work.

The course will also include slide show and talk about evolution of our relationship with cereals as a food and shelter crop.  There will be the opportunity to mill grain into flour and taste bread made from the wheat straw from the roof.

Course content

• Lecture of history and development of thatching in the UK.
• Handling and processing the straw.
• Applying turf to the hurdles.
• Learning techniques for applying thatch to the roof at required thickness.
• Spar coating the straw securely into position.
• Dressing of the thatch to gain the desired shape.

Details

• Small groups to allow for an intimate learning experience
• Delegates can complete one or more days at £75 per day
• Delegates that complete 4 days may be invited to volunteer and complete the thatch on the House of Wessex reconstruction

Essential Requirements

Delegates are required to:

• Have a good level of fitness
• Be able to work at heights
• Provide their own clothing suitable for work outdoors in all weathers
• Provide their own safety boots
• Provide your own food and drink

This is a one-day course (with an option to separately book more days)

Cost £75 per day