Sagitar Posted August 8, 2016 Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 We have been waiting for the arrival of the thatchers to repair the decorative ridge along the roof of the thatched cottage across the street. They turned up today and started to strip off the worn ridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 9, 2016 Report Share Posted August 9, 2016 I've seen them doing this up in Norfolk, it must be a physically demanding job. Nicely captured and the 3rd photo down looks like the ladder is going to tip over! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 9, 2016 Report Share Posted August 9, 2016 A very skilled yet forgotten trade nowadays and seasonal i assume? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted August 9, 2016 Report Share Posted August 9, 2016 One of my old drag racing buddies is a Master Thatcher , was a 6 or 7 year apprenticeship iirc http://www.shaunbranch.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesV70R Posted August 9, 2016 Report Share Posted August 9, 2016 Becoming a Mistress Thatcher .. that's something you do in your spare time at the weekends, right? I'll see myself out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sagitar Posted August 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 They started to put on the new ridge yesterday. How's this for health and safety? They must have tough hands given the way that they bash in the holding stakes with the palm of the hand. By the time they knocked off today they had started to create the decorative pattern in the new ridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 Are the ladders on scaffolding? At least if they fall they won't have far to go! I don't think I'd fancy bashing those stakes by hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sagitar Posted August 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 The ladders are on a scaffold platform at the level of the bottom edge of the roof. They touch the surface of the roof throughout their length so there is a fair amount of friction that stops them from sliding sideways. To create a wider working space at the top of the ladder, the thatcher puts one foot on the roof surface and lifts the ladder and moves it sideways. So most of the time the ladder is not at right angles to the roof ridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 Have to say it's very skilled. I wonder what it costs to have a roof done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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