Sunday Church

Majorman · Dec 10, 2023

This church, in a local village, was built by the Saxons and the Normans during the 11th Century making it over 1000 years old. It was destroyed internally, last year, when repairs to the thatched roof started a major fire. The stone structure was saved along with the tower and it is being restored at this time. The roof is being re-thatched and will be completed by Christmas this year, then work will start on the inside.
Sunday Church

db4600 · Dec 10, 2023

Thatching intrigues me. Ive seen a few videos of the install, but still marvel at the idea. Is there a preferred grass or plant for this use? What is the life expectancy?

JD Dave · Dec 10, 2023

I love old buildings, especially churches. You probably have more of them over your way. Keep them coming.

Richard G. · Dec 10, 2023

I agree.

Majorman · Dec 10, 2023

Used to be Norfolk Reed from the reeds growing in the local marshes, you could usually get about 100 years out of that, Some of the cheaper thatch is wheat straw but it has to be a special variety of wheat and thrashed by a drum (threshing machine), not a combine. Imagine trying to thatch with straw from an Axial Flow. Wheat thatch can last around 50 to 60 years.

Because Norfolk Reed is rare today, the thatcher is using reed imported from Hungary in this case.

I always marvel at the fact that the people who built this and others like it, would be classed as un-educated, today, with none of the modern tools or equipment. It has lasted over 1000 years. Modern schools, hospitals, office blocks and homes built half my lifetime ago, are falling down or being knocked down as unsafe today!!!!!

Janicholson · Dec 10, 2023

My wife and I were on a curriculum development project for St. Cloud State University (which has an educational partnership with Alnwick) and I stayed for 4 nights 5 days at Alnwick Castle. It was a powerful reminder of antiquity. Walking over door thresholds of stone worn 2 inches deep, through a door 3 inches thick with a hand forged iron ring for a pull was intense. Lead roof material was surprising. Unforgettable. I was proposing a summer program of technology including Solid Modeling CAD, Environmental classes, and Energy Conservation. The program was considered, but too difficult to access enough bandwidth to support the computer access for CAD in the Castle. The WiFi there was usable for normal Castle needs, but not 20 simultaneous Work Station Laptops. Jim

Johnhof · Dec 10, 2023

Thatching sure outlives my 20 year roofing. Is the basic idea that if its put on thick enough that water sheds before it soaks thru?

db4600 · Dec 10, 2023

I did some reading to cure my ignorance. The rye and wheat in the time of Saxons and Norman grew to a substantial height and durability compared to today thus lending to the thatching application. Agronomy has lessened the stock and improved the kernel and it also mention the advancement of our threshing technique which does not result in long straw. I thought it interesting on the durability. As John mentioned we are hard pressed to get 20-30 years out of our preferred methods.

flying belgian · Dec 10, 2023

I would have thought you start on the bottom and overlap going up like a 3 tab shingle but the picture doesn't appear that way.

Sunday Church

Majorman

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db4600

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JD Dave

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Richard G.

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Majorman

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Janicholson

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Johnhof

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db4600

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flying belgian

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