A new build Dutch Hay barn in Surrey raised the roof in thatching for us during  our long hot summer last year.  Just beforehand……

“Sorry mate, it’s going to be at least a week or so before this section of the roof is finished and ready for you”. This was the foreman of the construction company talking to me who were working ahead of us on an extensive new build project we were thatching in August. Grrrr!

 

With a tight work schedule last year, such delay was frustrating. And ‘a week or so’ wasn’t long enough to complete another job for our waiting customers.

Or was it?…

Shortly after this conversation, I received an email enquiry with a photo and drawings of an oak framed Dutch Hay Barn that required thatching, asking for my availability.   Frustration with builders not being finished in time turned to immense gratitude and convenience! I needed to look at this!

When I arrived to measure and quote, this beautiful, precisely engineered structure was a pleasure to observe.  Having been built by a Dutch crew, the hay barn appeared quintessentially rustic whilst having been fitted together with absolute accuracy.

The beauty of this particular Dutch Hay Barn was that it was on pulleys suspended on four tall oak posts at each corner that enabled the roof to be lowered or raised in height.

It would be imperative that we ensured the thatch was close, but neatly clear from the pulley cables both in front and behind each oak support post to retain the smooth movement.

I warmed to both project and customer straight away and the job was ours to start immediately. Our customer was also Dutch.  And whilst he was very well travelled and settled in the UK, I liked that he appreciated the traditions of his homeland, right down to his footwear.

Starting with the roof at it’s lowest setting, the project took just under two weeks using 850 bundles of water reed, finished off with a flush ridge of straw and a final lead cone.  From the inside we laid the reeds neatly, so you could look up and see the whole wooden roof with the thatch on top.

As we were clearing up, we got the call to say we could now continue to complete the thatch on the new build.

How often do we find blessing in adversity?  I give my utmost to all the work we do, but this was a particularly, thoroughly enjoyable project, enhanced by our appreciative customer who we could set our clock by; every morning bang on 10am, we would hear the clip clop of our customers clogs walking towards us across the yard with a tray of coffee – Douwe Egberts of course!  Thank you Dick!  And thank you also for the follow-up photos of the barn roof at various heights.

Indeed, new heights of inspiration have flowed since, leading me to source some of the finest oak frame constructors in the region with a view to creating bespoke thatched garden offices and outbuildings.

If you want something really special, please contact me.

In the meantime, please enjoy the photos of this fantastic building!