The thatcher's complaint

Will the art of thatching be extinguished in the UK?

Of a total of 50,000 to 60,000 thatched roofs in the UK, there are 30,000 to 40,000 listed 'straw' thatched properties. Unless the conservation lobby and English Heritage realise and correct the error they have made, there are going to be 30,000 to 40,000 disadvantaged listed thatched property owners with blue sheets over their roofs.

Any wriggling by English Heritage by passing the blame onto 'climate change' will be as offensive as their thatching policies.

In summary:

There is no new and suitable (for thatching straw) winter wheat seed available to plant.

Farm saved seed will deteriorate, and is already showing very poor germination rates.

Farmers with suitable seed are not allowed by law to sell the seed for planting.

It is more profitable for farmers to grow conventional cereals, than straw for thatching.

The temporary respite, of triticale, using known varieties, will not last.

Conservationists and English Heritage continue demanding "Like for like".

Thatchers and listed thatched home owners have been threatened with prosecution for attempting to find an alternative durable material.

The possibility of the establishment of other triticale varieties, or "conservation crops" of old varieties of wheat straw suitable for thatching? Uncertain.

Posted by David on April 9, 2008 8:19 AM