Four Parishes Arts Society - November 2007

THATCHING - A talk by Brian Chalk – Master Thatcher

On Tuesday, 13 November members of the Four Parishes Arts Society enjoyed a very informative talk by Brian Chalk, assisted by his son Tom, on the art of thatching.  Brian was thatching a cottage in Monxton and our Chairman, Sue Ryan, “boldly” asked him if he would like to give a talk to the Arts Society.

Firstly he gave us a resume of his life at school - how he wanted to be a farmer but his Mother did not want him to be a farmer so after gaining O levels he went to work in an office for three years, which he hated.  One day he spoke to a thatcher who had lots of work and this was the turning point for Brian.

He has now been a thatcher for 34 years and still loves it.  He has six people working with him, including his two sons Tom and Will.  He is Chairman of the Wilts Master Thatchers’ Association.

He then went on to describe how a roof is thatched and the different types of ridges.  He said Test Valley encourage “Plain Flush” finish.  He brought along four different types of straw that are used in this country, depending on the area, and gave the life span of each variety.  The four varieties are Combed Wheat, Uncombed Straw, Water Reed and South African Velt.  He had also brought the “tools of the trade” and was able to demonstrate how the straw is laid on the roof.

When thatching, the top layer is lifted and during the course of this, many objects have been found buried in the straw - a bicycle lamp, many old cigarette packets – empty, sharpener stone, cord etc.  Brian returned to a house he had thatched 25 years ago.  In the course of taking off the top layer he found a tin he had put there containing artefacts of that era.  It was the same owner and they replaced the tin with a more up to date one of interesting items of this era.

Brian said that thatching isn’t so simple today as people have lovely gardens, conservatories, patios etc. whereas in the old days it would probably have been just a vegetable plot.  Scaffolding has to be erected along with ladders and these can cause quite a bit of damage to the gardens, but when the job is done, what a lovely reward!

He then went on to describe the tools he had brought along and their various uses.  One item was over three hundred years old.

Question time was very lively, and so much interest shown that it was obvious everyone had enjoyed Brian’s talk which he had delivered so well.

We learnt that he does not live in a thatched cottage as he said “I can’t get a good thatcher” and the evening ended on a high note with everyone laughing.