Consolidation and repair of a heather-thatched barn

Abstract

The Black Barn (Figure 1) at Tow House in the South Tyne Valley west of Hexham in Northumberland is a small heather-thatched cruck-framed building dating from the early 18th century. A rare survivor of a widespread vernacular building type in the north of England, it is Listed as Grade II*, retaining significant original heather thatch in its base coat and ridge covering as well as all the primary timbers of its cruck roof construction.Before the mid-19th century heather thatching was a predominant roof covering in the English uplands where the material was abundant and easily transported, but by the beginning of the 20th century the skills in thatching had been largely lost in the face of the cheap distribution by rail of more durable Welsh slate. Thatchers themselves have played down the longevity of heather thatch and in any case the management of heather moorland for sheep grazing and sporting purposes yields unsuitable material for thatching.English Heritage, who have supported this project throughout, are keen to develop and promote an understanding of traditional building skills in England, and the opportunity to study this 300-year-old thatched barn has shown that it is possible to reveal past practices in order to inform a thorough repair programme and ensure sound future maintenance.