Thatchers are skilled craftspeople who roof, re-roof and repair thatched properties. They have to conform to strict rules governing the materials and methods they use in order to preserve the building in its original form.

The preparation of the roof and materials before work starts is vitally important. When starting a job, thatchers:

• put up scaffolding or secure ladders to the building to allow access to the roof
• prepare the straw, wheat reed or water reed into bundles ready for use
• strip off the old roofing materials
• check the roof timbers for damage or rot
• repair, treat or replace timbers where necessary before thatching begins.

Thatchers secure bundles of straw or reed to the roof battens using tarred cord or metal hooks fixed to the roof timbers. They work section by section, starting at the eaves and working up to the ridge along the top. They secure the courses as they move up the roof, and fix the ridge in position with hazel strips and hooks. They shape the ridge into patterns, which can be quite intricate.

Thatchers use a range of cutting and fixing tools, including:

• shearing hooks
• needles
• eave-knives
• hammers
• mallets.

Some thatchers also grow and harvest their own thatching materials.

Hours and Environment

Working hours are dependent on available work, but may include early starts, late finishes and weekends. Hours of work are longer in summer and shorter in the winter, although some thatchers work at night under floodlights.

Thatchers work outdoors in most weather conditions. Much of the work is done from ladders or scaffolding. Old roofs can be very dusty, and reed seeds and spores from wheat straw can produce very difficult conditions for anyone with chest conditions.

Work may not be in the local area, so a driving licence is usually required.

Skills and Interests

As a thatcher you should:

• be comfortable working at heights
• be prepared to work outdoors in all weathers
• have good organisational and practical skills
• be numerate, for estimating materials, pricing jobs and maintaining accounts
• have good communication and negotiating skills
• be knowledgeable of building, safety and conservation regulations
• be able to adapt your skills to work on complex thatched structures and solve problems
• be physically fit.

You may need to relocate to an area where thatching skills are in demand.

Entry

There are no specified academic entry requirements. You normally have to contact individual thatchers or thatching companies for details about trainee positions.

If you have a trainee position, you may be able to apply for the New Entrants Training Scheme run by Herefordshire College of Technology. It is primarily aimed at 16-24 year olds, but older trainees will be considered. See the Training section for more details.

The Thatching Information Service also has details about regional contacts for organisations concerned with the profession. For details, see their website in Further Information.

Training

You receive on-the-job training with day or block release leading to NVQ/SVQ qualifications. You work towards NVQ in Roofing Occupations (Thatching) at levels 2 and 3. Units include:

• preparing roof structures
• preparing thatching materials
• thatching roof stuctures
• thatching specialist features (dormer windows, gable ends and ridges)
• health and safety.

In Scotland, you work towards SVQ Thatching at Level 2.

The New Entrants Training Scheme takes place at Knuston Hall in Northamptonshire. Training is spread over two years, combining block release with work placements. Successful completion of the course leads to NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Roofing Occupations (Thatching). For details about the scheme, contact Herefordshire College of Technology in Further Information.

The National Society of Master Thatchers has a membership scheme with various grades for experienced thatchers and trainees, and associate membership for those who simply have an interest in the craft. The Society also runs training courses for members and offers advice on technical issues. For more details, contact the NSMT at the address in Further Information.

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

Opportunities

Most thatchers are self-employed, working alone or with one partner, one trainee and/or one labourer.

Most thatched buildings are in specific rural areas of the country, such as the West Country, East Anglia and the Midlands. Small numbers of thatchers work in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

There is a lot of competition for thatching work. The Countryside Agency advises those who live outside a main thatching region to have another source of income but one which provides the flexibility to take on thatching work as it arises.

Conservation regulations often do not allow owners to replace thatch with other materials, therefore the number of thatched properties is reasonably stable.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Salaries start between £13,000 and £16,000 a year.
Experienced thatchers earn between £17,000 and £22,000.

A self -employed thatcher negotiates a rate for each job and may earn more.

Further information

Herefordshire College of Technology
Folly Lane
Hereford
HR1 1LS
Tel: 01432 365314 Thatcher's Rest
Levens Green
Great Munden
Nr Ware
Hertfordshire
SG11 1HD
Tel: 01920 438710 c/o The Secretary
15 High Street
Steventon
Abingdon
Oxfordshire
OX13 5RZ