The ancient craft of thatching, a distinctive feature of the British rural landscape, is under significant threat, according to experienced practitioners. A severe lack of formal training pathways, coupled with escalating costs and challenges in securing suitable materials, is jeopardising the future of this skilled trade, with warnings that it could become a 'dying art'.
Currently, there are no dedicated training schools for thatching in England, a stark contrast to previous decades when structured support was available. This absence means that established tradespeople must bear the full financial burden of training apprentices, a commitment many find increasingly unviable. Steven Hewlett, a third-generation thatcher from Salisbury, Wiltshire, highlighted the difficulties his son, Rudy, faced in accessing training and funding when he sought to join the family business. While Rudy eventually secured an apprenticeship through the National Society of Master Thatchers and funding from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), Mr. Hewlett noted it was far from straightforward and still required family support, underscoring the need for greater investment in the future of the craft.
The financial strain on businesses taking on apprentices is a major deterrent. Stephen Packham, a Somerset-based thatcher with 47 years' experience, explained that the weekly cost of an apprentice can reach approximately £500, largely due to tax and National Insurance contributions. He stressed that without external assistance, businesses must halt their own work to provide instruction, making the process prohibitively expensive over the typical four-year apprenticeship period.
Alan Lewis, 75, from Pewsey, who began thatching in the 1970s, recounted a very different landscape when he entered the trade. He benefited from a grant that covered his wages for three years and included a two-year part-time course at Nuston Hall in Northamptonshire, a training school run by the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas (CoSIRA). This facility, the only one of its kind in the UK, closed its doors in 2012. Mr. Lewis believes its closure has profoundly impacted the industry's capacity to produce a skilled workforce in sufficient numbers to meet demand, leading to the craft being 'a little bit forgotten'.
Beyond training and funding, thatchers are also contending with material shortages. Brian Chalk, a nearly 50-year veteran of the trade, noted that sourcing the large quantities of high-quality straw required for thatching has become increasingly difficult. He explained that specific weather conditions, particularly sufficient rain, are crucial for straw to grow tall enough. However, recent years have seen prolonged dry Aprils, making the production of suitable straw more challenging and impacting supply.
It is estimated that around 800 thatchers currently maintain approximately 60,000 thatched buildings across the UK, with 45,000 of these being listed properties. Recognising the vital role these artisans play in preserving historical architecture and rural heritage, a group of Wiltshire thatchers, including Alan Lewis, are actively campaigning for the establishment of new training facilities and enhanced financial support for apprentices to ensure the craft's survival.
Source: BBC News