Thatching with Alan Jones

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 (discount for all five days, see below)
• Delegates that complete 5 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

We are offering five one-day courses, run back-to-back.

Cost £75 per day. Click to book:

Saturday, 10th August

Sunday, 11th August

Monday, 12th August

Tuesday, 13th August

Wednesday, 14th August

We are pleased to offer a special discount if you want to attend all five days.

Five days for the price of four, at only £300. Offer only available by phoning us.

Please contact us on 01865 408018 to book for all 5 days, and have your payment card ready.