re; thatch

[jocelyn plummer]

Whilst researching the house we were hoping to buy (long story, not up for discussion) I came across this website, which may be of interest to some of you:

http://www.thatchconsultant.co.uk

He turned out to be the original thatcher of the property and has been extremely helpful and informative.

and, on a totally FRIVOLOUS note, those of you have espied those ethereal little creatures at the bottom of your garden will like this one:
http://www.zizzyfay.com :roll:

 

[MdB]

Interesting to read about the thatch. Do we have any experts here?

Whilst repointing the old part of our house, I found quite a bit of old straw on top of the end walls, all nicely rotted. Would this suggest that the house was thatched at some stage or was straw used to plug some of the gaps under the tiles?

 

[DaveBrigg]

and, on a totally FRIVOLOUS note, those of you have espied those ethereal little creatures at the bottom of your garden will like this one:
http://www.zizzyfay.com :roll:

Something out of the ordinary, I loved it. Anyone recognise the location? There seems to be a flint core to the wall, and it may possibly be in Sussex.

 

[biffvernon]

I found quite a bit of old straw on top of the end walls, all nicely rotted. Would this suggest that the house was thatched at some stage or was straw used to plug some of the gaps under the tiles?

Perhaps, but starlings can bring a surprising amount of straw into a roof.

 

[Lime]

I found quite a bit of old straw on top of the end walls, all nicely rotted. Would this suggest that the house was thatched at some stage or was straw used to plug some of the gaps under the tiles?

Perhaps, but starlings can bring a surprising amount of straw into a roof.

My thoughts too.
This house had straw stuffed under the tiles over the house walls brought in by house sparrows.
The old school I owned many years ago had straw 4-5ft deep piled next to the wall where the obviously popular nesting holes were to be found.

 

[MdB]

Ah, thanks. That would make sense. One less little mystery.

 

[inwood]

I'm still 'lucky' enough to have the remains of the thatch roof in my attic. When I repointed the gable end I found three different roof levels where the roof had been raised over the years. The second roof was the thatch roof. The oak timbers and purlins still exist along with about 10 sq. metres of the thatch (or at least the undercoat - if that's what it's called.

The current roof (asebstos slate when I bought it - now natural slate) was simply built over the top of the thatch roof. Needless to say it's something of a forest up in the attic with mixtures of old, very old and more recent roof timbers, but a bit of reed probably adds to the insulation!