The ancient craft of thatching has brought a new lease of life to the crowning glory of Shepherd Neame pub the Manor Farm Barn, at Southfleet, Kent.
Master thatcher Glen Charter at work on the Manor Farm Barn, Southfleet. Photograph: Shepherd Neame
Master thatcher Glen Charter and his team completed a four-week refurbishment of the thatched roof of the pub, which is housed within an 18th century barn.
The pub in New Barn Road, which became Britain’s first 21st century thatched pub in 2001, has had its roof repaired and refurbished, and a new ridge built on top.
Glen, who has been thatching for 34 years and is a member of the National Society of Master Thatchers, was joined by Richard Seaman on the project. It is topped off with Glen’s signature straw sculpture, a pair of doves, which can be seen sitting high on the top of the ridge by passing motorists.
Glen said: “The roof of Manor Farm Barn is the largest thatched roof that Shepherd Neame has — it is a very big roof!
“It has a 32ft slope on one side and a 25ft slope on the other. It had not been overhauled since completion in 2001, so there was a lot of refurbishment work to do, including removing the moss, and repairs to the coat work to carry out.”
He added: “It is a great sense of achievement when you have completed something like this — particularly with this one, as it needed so much work. I’m very pleased to do it, and to be bringing Richard on in the trade. It’s nice to bring it back to a good condition and give it extra years.”
Turkish water reed was used to repair the main thatch, with straw for the new ridge sourced locally from a farm in Smarden. The reed provides a thoroughly waterproof cover for the historic building. “Each reed is, in effect, a tile,” says Glen.
Martin Godden, Shepherd Neame’s head of property services, said: “Glen has looked after our thatched roofs across the estate for many years, including a complete replacement of the Chestfield Barn roof in 2020. He certainly deserves the title of master thatcher!”
