Humble Heritage Workshop: Practical Thatching

Humble Heritage Workshop: Practical Thatching

Date: 
27/09/2019 - 28/09/2019
Course Type: 
Workshop
REF: 

HH3/19

Audience: 
Introductory, General Interest, CPD
Location: 
Priorslynn Farm
DG14 0SY, CANONBIE
United Kingdom
Required Equipment: 

Practical clothing for hands-on work; sturdy footwear (preferably steel toe capped boots); work gloves.

Price: 

£200 pp

Event details

Humble Heritage Workshop: Practical Thatching 

27 - 28 September 2019

Over this two-day workshop, participants will gain direct practical experience of preparing a roof structure to receive a thatch covering, and of laying thatch.  The course offers the opportunity to work with straw and with turf, both of which are found in the vernacular buildings of the Solway Plain. Participants will also have a chance to discuss approaches to and decision-making about the repair and conservation of the traditional clay-walled Priorslynn Bothy. 

Alongside hands-on tutorials, the course will include an introduction to the history and current work at Priorslynn Bothy, including re-covering its roof, and plenty of opportunity for discussion with the tutors and within the group.  

Refreshments, lunch, tools and materials are included in the workshop fee. Delegates should wear practical clothing for hands-on work and sturdy footwear (preferably steel toe capped boots). Delegates should also bring their own work gloves. There will be an optional bonfire social on Friday evening (small additional cost to cover catering). 

Places on this workshop are limited, to maximise the hands-on learning, so book promptly to avoid disappointment. Certificates of attendance are available for CPD purposes on request.  Participants will see and discuss work in progress on the Bothy roof, but will themselves work at ground level to thatch a small outbuilding. 

The course takes place at Priorslynn Bothy, a Grade A listed cruck framed, clay walled building in the village of Canonbie, within the notorious ‘Debateable Lands’ on the Scotland / England border, which has its own unique history.  The building is undergoing repair by earth building specialist and SPAB Fellow, Alex Gibbons, who will give a tour of the building and explain his approach to its conservation and care. Alex runs a small workshop, Stick in the Mud Conservation, from the site. The course will be led by him and master thatcher William Tegetmeier.
 

Booking Terms & Conditions

Accessibility: please contact the SPAB before booking to discuss any special access requirements.

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