At last, we have had time to get our Newsletter No 30 up on the website for those who have not subscribed to catch up with what’s been going on.

Happy Reading.

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Thatch Advice Centre Newsletter No 30

Hello Everyone!

After one of the wettest winters ever, not great for thatch, thatchers or anyone really except the ducks!!  Our latest bi-annual newsletter has taken a while as there has been a surprising amount of things going on plus things to tell you about for the future.

As our subscriber numbers continue to grow, we really appreciate our sponsors paying the Newsletter email costs so that it is free for you, our readers.

If this is your first Newsletter, a warm welcome to our thatch community.  For everyone else a huge welcome back.

Vermin, insurance and thatchers have been the main topics we have been contacted about during the last 6 months.  Keep reading and you will realise that that’s not all we have been dealing with either!  Big thanks to everyone for their help and input during this time.

In this Newsletter

Our Newsletter Sponsors – Thatch Assist Ltd
Website Updates
Thatching in Progress Picture Competition – Update
Thatch Fire Safety February
Interesting Involvement
Issue with SPAB Information
Apprenticeship – Exciting Update
Historic England Materials Research Update
.Working Together
FRS Collaboration
Our Associates
Problems with Thatchers
Solid Fuel Burning – The Truth
Flashback Fridays
Social Media
Listed Thatch Issues
Thatch Tale
Insurance Issues
Join us as an Associate (Special Offer for Subscribers)
Next Time
And Finally

Our Newsletter Sponsors – Thatch Assist Ltd

Finding cover for your thatched property shouldn’t be stressful, and yet with a property as unique as you are you’ll need a tailored approach to insurance.

We thrive on helping our customers find the perfect policy for their needs, and you can trust us to cut the jargon and help you to understand how maintaining your property plays a crucial part in safeguarding your home.

Whether you’re looking for a quote or just need some advice, give our experts a call today and be assured that your thatched property is safe in our hands.

Website Updates

We are always busy with enquiries, but still find time to write articles and update pages on the website, keeping things relevant.  Feel free to provide us with any extra information which you think we can add, which would be helpful to others too.  Here’s a bit of what we have done in the last 6 months click on the bold links to read more.

Thatching in Progress Picture Competition – Update

What interesting and varied pictures we have had as entries to our Thatching in Progress Picture Competition.  Up to 6 pictures can be emailed in to us.  Don’t forget to include your name, address and telephone number (in case you are chosen as the winner!!).

We are looking forward to receiving more lovely entries now the weather is improving!!  If you are the thatcher, homeowner, visitor or passer-by, we are sure there will be images to send us.  The closing date is Monday 2nd of September 2024.  Good luck to all those who have already entered.

We have set up a Thatching in Progress Gallery, too, to showcase the work involved in maintaining our fabulous properties.

Thatch Fire Safety February – Social Media Campaign

Our social media is a great way to spread the up to date and useful information on “All things thatch”.  Fire Safety is one of those important topics.

With the hugely useful thatched roof fire statistics, collated and kindly received from Historic England (all thatch, not just the listed ones) February seemed a good month to remind everyone about important ways to reduce the fire risks and improve fire safety in their properties.  Knowledge is power and prevention is infinitely better than dealing with a fire.

So Thatch Fire Safety February emerged.

Here are some of the main points we shared on social media, in case you missed them:

• Please start by reading our Thatch Fire Safety Leaflet
• Wednesday When….  Did you last check your working chimney?  Working chimneys on thatch should be regularly checked and maintained.  This is an important part of Thatch Fire Safety Advice
• Fire Safety Tip… “Do what your insurers request, if there is then a problem, you are covered”
• If you are thinking of installing a Wood burner, understand the feasibility and read our article Speak to our friends at the Stove Industry Association as well for up to date info.
• Our Fire Safety Tips on Fire Prevention are worth reading for peace of mind. Understand and reduce the risks.  We tagged our Fire Service Friends too.
• Sweep a working chimney regularly.  Maintain appliances and flues etc…  to avoid Fire.
• Safety Issues.  Federation of British Chimney Sweeps.
• Wednesday Wondering – What is on top of your Chimney?  A Bird Guard is a good idea.  Thanks to Wiltown Sweeps for this great picture.
  Flashback Friday on Thatch Fire Causes – Chimney Related.  Understand and reduce the risks.
• Working smoke alarms on all floors – including the attic is a no brainer.  Also have a CO alarm if necessary.  Follow us, Share our Test it Tuesday posts and test your alarms regularly too!
• Wednesday Warning – You don’t want a chimney fire if you have a thatched roof – These guys were lucky and well done Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service

Interesting Involvement

A sample of the enquires received and things we have been involved with:-

• Someone looking for reed to make a Bee Hotel.  Located in Suffolk, writes & illustrates children’s books to spark a love of nature.
• Father wanting thatching materials to thatch a roundhouse building on farm with his kids.
• Fungi in thatch.  Have you ever looked closely?
• Put a group in touch with a lovely thatcher to do a Thatching Talk for them.
• Pleased to contribute to an article on thatch fires (and prevention) in The Times.
• Advice for a project in a hotel in Abu Dhabi.
• Questions on council tax banding for thatched property (bit out of our area of expertise!).
• Query on the origin and use of plastic spars.
• Concerns over the National Grid cables running under eave of thatched property.
• Purchasing of old farmhouse where previous owner had started replacing roof with tiles, needing advice.
• Nominated Glencoe Folk Museum for a Charity Draw.
• LPOC – Supporting and promoting campaign to reduce the cost of ownership, cut VAT and simplify planning.
• Helped students with Thatch projects, providing them with information and direction.
• Plants to grow for thatching in the “Arizona Strip”.
• Roof conservation advice needed.

Issue with SPAB Information

Following on from the above and all the work we have done over the years on spreading the up to date and proven fire safety messages, we were hugely disappointed to discover that the SPAB information on their website is not correct and causing issues.  Having been told that SPAB were dealing with Historic England technical enquiries etc we had presumed that those doing so were up to speed and giving out the correct information verbally and on their website, especially with regard to fire safety.
 
After the money spent by Historic England and the NFU, on the research and work done by the Fire Protection Agency, seeing the comment:
“Flue temperatures with these appliances can be high enough to ignite thatch even through a completely sound, lined chimney” on the SPAB website was beyond comprehension. 
 
We have given so much of our own time and resources into promoting the correct and up to date information.  These, CONFIRMED INCORRECT, words on the website may explain the rash of confused enquiries we have had to deal with recently.  No wonder some insurers/underwriters are struggling as well.
 
We contacted Historic England to ask if there had been more research to change the previous advice.

It has been confirmed that nothing has changed since the research and the words from the FPA research which state, “The widely accepted idea that heat transfer by conduction (i.e. ‘Heat Transfer Theory’) as the predominant mode of fire raising in thatched buildings is not supported by the test data.”  still stand.
 
We await an explanation with interest.

Apprenticeship – Exciting Update

Significant funding for the thatching apprenticeship training has been approved, which is awesome.  Apprentices working under a Master Thatcher will have the opportunity to attend college to study with their peers over 2 years then be assessed and receive a formal qualification on successful completion.
 
Furthermore, those apprentices already in training may be able to attend a shortened course, then be assessed for qualification too.  There are a few things still to be finalised but, as there is a college(s) wanting to run the course, things are definitely coming together.  Many thanks to everyone so far including all the thatchers from around the country who have been involved and will continue to be involved.  The final hurdle won’t be as big as the ones already cleared.
 
Any additional thatchers wanting to be included as trainers or assessors please get in touch and put your name down to express initial, no obligation from either side interest. 

Also if you are a thatcher who can offer a job to a potential apprentice, or have a current trainee who wants to attend, contact us.  Finally, if you are looking for a thatching apprenticeship, email or call us.  We can then forward your details to the relevant people.  
 
There will be more to follow, so keep your eyes on our social media and website.

Historic England Materials Research Update

The research into thatching material supply and production has been started and phase II in some areas is planned.  We are working with Historic England to bring you an update on progress.  It is important to us that the research is a means to an end and in being kept in the loop good progress for a sustainable future can be achieved.  Another, “Watch this space folks!”
 
Recent weather conditions have meant that discussion on this year’s thatching straw harvest is already interesting.  As ever, we will keep you informed.

Working Together

Our aim has always been “working together”.  Our involvements include Chimney Sweeps, Historic Organisations, Building Control, Conservation organisations, Thatchers and thatching organisations, insurers, underwriters etc to name a few!!  We love our thatch community, sharing what we know, learning more which is relevant to thatch and asking questions.  Obviously, we don’t know everything but, our growing community has a huge wealth of thatch knowledge and experience which allows us to offer the best advice we can.

Most of the advice we give is free – on the website, over the phone or via our increasing number of valued Associates on our bespoke Thatch Directory.

Our social media also gives us the opportunity to work together on many things.  Test it Tuesdays are important reminders on alarm safety.  We share others pictures and posts regularly, as well as using our own to spread the best information we can on thatch, thatching and thatched roofs.

Don’t forget to join us on social media; Facebook and Instagram @thatchadvicecentre and X (Twitter) @thatchadvice

Or get in touch via phone or email.  Email is best and don’t forget your contact details…

FRS Collaboration

The Fire and Rescue Services often post about thatch fires and thatch fire safety.  We have been proud to be included in the excellent Suffolk Fire and Rescue social media awareness campaign on thatch fire safety.  They have shared our Fire Safety Leaflet, up to date information as part of their excellent initiative, and a fair bit of tagging going on too.  Obviously, we share it back as it is a bit of the #workingtogether” we love to do.

Example:

“With the colder nights settling in and more reasons for using wood burners and open fires, special care should be taken by thatched property residents.

The Thatch Advice Centre has a very informative leaflet, offering invaluable advice to keep you and your property safe.  View this and other related leaflets on our website below
https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/…/fire-safety-information… “

Our Associates

Problems with Thatchers

We have mentioned before that we are not the Thatch Police. However, we are happy to help with thatch-related situations and point people in the right direction.

Problems with Thatchers may arise due to:

• Apparent shortage of thatchers, or amount of work exceeding the number of thatchers available
• Lack of skills / training of thatchers
• Lack of care / rogue trader – you always get them especially with unregulated craft.
• Public believing that membership of organisations gives protection – the worst that can happen is that thatchers are thrown out, they continue to thatch.  Dummy organisations have even been set up!  The majority of thatchers are still independent and, as we have said before on social media, that may be the good, the bad or the ….!

Unfortunately, we have had a marked increase in the number of enquiries from homeowners with problems with thatchers.  Some of these have made national press but most haven’t.  They are on our radar but we want to warn homeowners about remaining sensible when hiring thatchers to work on their roof.

Please read our articles, written to help.

In short, get quotes in writing.  If you don’t understand what is said, make sure you do before accepting that quote.  Don’t give large deposits upfront and remember that everyone nowadays is a Master Thatcher, whether they have true knowledge and experience or not.  Check references and work completed several years previously to see if it has stood the test of time.

Solid Fuel Burning – The Truth

The Thatch Advice Centre receives a large amount of enquiries around solid fuel burning, woodburning stoves and chimneys.

Our Associates at the Stove Industry Association (new name for the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) have been dealing with a lot of issues recently, both misinformation and arising from incorrect data being circulated e.g. on emissions.

https://stoveindustryassociation.org/get-both-sides-of-the-story-this-clean-air-night/

https://stoveindustryassociation.org/consumer-advice/benefits-of-sia-ecodesign-ready-stoves/

It is always important to have the correct facts so that you can make appropriate decisions.  This is the same for solid fuel burning in thatched properties.  We understand and advise on many of the issues but the air quality issue is the current one which seems to have caused a bit of a furore.  We have shared some of this relevant information via our social media and hope in the future to clarify things further.  It is a shame that the press gets hold of ideas without backing up their accusations/negativity with real proof.  SIA have the knowledge, experience and proof to clarify this and we are pleased they do.

Based on the enquiries we are getting, woodburning stoves are still popular with thatched property owners (with fuel prices etc we understand why).  Many people still rely on them to keep warm.  So, we are continuing to promote advice on how to keep safe when using them in reducing the thatch fire risk.  This is also important for insurance purposes.

It is easy to say “don’t use solid fuel to heat your home”.  In reality, it is better done openly, properly and as safely as possible with understanding of any risks, rather than making dangerous decisions (often secretly) and / or taking short cuts.  Progress in burner and fuel quality, as well as improved knowledge coupled with fire safety advice must surely be the way forward for those who are solid fuel burning within their thatched property.  Better than the alternative.

We will, of course, keep you posted on any updates which arise on this topic.

Flashback Fridays

Social Media

Social Media is a great way to engage, educate and communicate with lots of lovely people on “All Things Thatch”.  We tend to post most week days and appreciate all comments and engagement from our friends and followers on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter) and Pinterest

Why not join us, tag us, share our posts or ask us to share yours #workingtogether

Below are a selection of some of our posts.

Listed Thatch Issues

There are many things involved in living in a Listed Property.  If it is also thatched, it is just one more thing on the list to understand.  These properties are individual, characterful and owners are just temporary when compared with the age of many of these lovely buildings.

Maintenance, rebuild costs, rethatching, conservation areas, thatching material and style and insurance are all things on our radar.  We and our associates are all dedicated to their preservation.

That being said, the rebuild costs for insurance and grants in the United Kingdom (sadly we can’t help and we don’t know of any) are the issues we have been mostly contacted about during the last few months.

On a positive note the Republic of Ireland thatched cottages are among the historic buildings to receive €9 million in funding under their Historic Structures Fund and Built Heritage Investment Scheme.

You know where we are.

Thatch Tale,
Thanks to A C Taylor Chimney Sweeps

“I was talking to one of my more learned village thatch dwelling customers during last year and was amazed to discover the reason for the demise of many thatch properties many years ago.  He told me that before the farm mechanisation, most of the threshing etc in the fields was powered by steam engines which were powered of course by coal and that sparks from these were responsible for burning down many homes in his village.
 
I have also seen large steam engines powering huge circular saw blades and producing amongst other things 12” square long lengths of timber from a tree trunk, whilst at a Lincolnshire Agricultural Show.  These beams were probably back then produced near to where the timber was to be used.  I can’t help thinking now that this may have been an excellent job creation scheme!!!!!”

Insurance Issues

All insurance premiums seem to have gone up, for everyone on everything.  Thatched properties is no exception.  The issues we are contacted about mainly are rebuild valuations and Thatched Roof Inspection Reports.

Rebuild Valuations.  Should you have a problem it is essential you have a correct valuation otherwise any payment can be affected.

Thatched Roof Inspections.  We have Associates who do Thatched Roof Inspection Reports (not tick box forms open to interpretation).  These reports give detail e.g. on materials used, condition of thatched roof elevations and ridges, along with other relevant and associated advice.  Indicative costings for maintenance moving forward are also included.

Our Associates are experienced thatchers, not looking for work so these reports have the benefit of being truly independent advice.  These reports are very useful for insurance purposes but also potential purchasers in helping understand the roof condition and potential future costings.

Join us as an Associate
(Special Offer for Subscribers)

We thought that a buy one get one free offer (Two years for the price of one or half price) for our Newsletter subscribers who can offer their services to thatched property owners, would be a great idea in these testing financial times.

Since the last Newsletter (many thanks for your kind comments and appreciation) we have had a lot of enquiries from thatched property owners, potential owners and miscellaneous others looking for help.

We are always looking for proven experienced Associates to join us on our Thatch Directory, which is often our first port of call for visitor assistance.  From insurance to chimney sweeps, thatchers to pest control and everyone in between, our group is growing. There is always room for more specialists.

If you have the knowledge, skills and great references to offer our many visitors, we would love to hear from you.

Why not set up an advertisement (we can help) and take advantage of this special offer of two years advertising for the price of one.

Use this Promotional Code 24SUBSNEW at the checkout before 31st September 2024 to claim your fabulous discount offer.

A single advert in a single county is £60 a year and with the code will be only £30 a year.  Additional counties are only £30 (£15 per year with promo).  A National advert of £300.  Will work out only £150 per year.

Benefits of being our Associate extend further than just a listing.  There are plenty of other avenues where we can mutually work together. From social media to articles and more….

Next Time

We will let you all wonder about next time : )  Don’t worry we have plenty planned…..

And Finally – What Do You Want?

Thank you for getting to this end of our lengthy Newsletter No 30.  Much planning and effort from many is appreciated and hopefully it has included something for everyone.

We love to help with thatch related issues, so wondered if there are any ideas or things you would like us to help with, see on our website, newsletter or social media?  Send us an email and let us know.

We, obviously, have plans, but it makes sense to ask you all to make sure we are going in the right direction.

Get in touch with us

Wishing you all a great Spring and Summer and we’ll see you in the Autumn.

Kind Regards

Thatch Advice Centre Team

Copyright

The content of the Thatch Advice Centre email is circulated to its subscribers and is copyright.  These contents may only be reproduced with the permission of the Thatch Advice Centre.

Thatch Directory Categories – Phase I

Our site has one clear list of categories so it is easy to find help.  We are always looking for proven services to join us.  References are required.

·  Architects
·  Builders
·  Building Surveyors
·  Chimney & Flue Specialists
·  Chimney Sweeps
·  Electrical Engineers
·  Fire Safety Products & Supplies
·  Garden Buildings
·  Health and Safety
·  Insurance
·  Leadworkers
·  Master Thatchers
·  Organisations/Publications
·  Preservation & Pest Control

·  Quantity Surveyors
·  Reed & Straw Dealers
·  Scaffolding
·  Security
·  Solicitors
·  Solid Fuel & Heating Supplies
·  Specialist Builders
·  Specialist Building Materials
·  Structural Surveyors
·  Thatched Hospitality
·  Thatching Supplies
·  Timber Framed Builders
·  Tools & Equipment Hire
·  Tree Surgeons

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