Thatching. Still going strong.

[Sundae]

ETA - Carruthers beat me to it.

YES. Thatch is definitely considered a hugh fire risk.
However I'm not sure homeowners can simply choose to change the roof. I'm sure they'd have to get some sort of planning permission and I imagine many houses are Listed properties because of their age or by being in a Conservation Area.

Our cottage wasn't thatched but for example we only go to put up a satellite dish because there was a small extension at the back of the house, which was considered modern enough and hidden enough to sully with new technology.

Carr I wonder if the roofline will include a thatch animal?
I understand that different thatchers have their favourites. I've often seen peacocks in Bucks.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Would I be right in assuming those chimneys are for coal or oil fires, rather than wood?

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by Sundae

Carr I wonder if the roofline will include a thatch animal?
I understand that different thatchers have their favourites. I've often seen peacocks in Bucks.

I haven't seen any creatures depicted on that particular row, but there used to be a spider of colossal proportions picked out in stark relief on a cottage in Whitchurch.
I can't find it on Street View unfortunately, so I think it probably disappeared in the course of repairs.
I'm sure I've seen a Peacock somewhere, but I can't for the life of me remember where.

Would I be right in assuming those chimneys are for coal or oil fires, rather than wood?

They are probably for coal or gas fires with suitable flue linings but they would have started life for wood fires.
Indeed, log burners are becoming increasingly popular so the wheel might have turned full circle.

ETA:

Given the timber and brick infill construction, I've no doubt that this cottage started life with a thatched roof.
I suspect that the abomination was installed some considerable time ago. The owners wouldn't get away with it today.



Street View

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by Sundae

I wonder if the roofline will include a thatch animal?
I understand that different thatchers have their favourites. I've often seen peacocks in Bucks.

Spot on, Sundae.