The Renovation of an English Thatched Cottage

A sympathetic renovation of a listed building, restored from the verge of collapse by English time served craftsman, plus one Aussie.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• listed
• thatched
• cottage
• renovation
• oak
• frame
• work
• thatchers
• Cottage
• restoration
• house
• reconstruction
• roof
• repair

[REALSLATER]

wow! great job. i'm a slater in the us. we don't have much proper thatching here, wish we did. i'd love to learn your beautiful trade.

[joiner60]

I completely agree with you on thatching! But I repaired and jointed the oak roof. The Master Thatcher who carried out the work would tell you it takes about 7 years to learn thatching to a good standard

[ZINZIN77]

I kept the story from the Cambridge Times In 1990 I moved out of Coates and went to Glassmoor -the middle of nowhere - but kept up local history. The planning department at Fenland and Cambridge CC all all changed now. [well before Coates expanded and all those posh brick houses were built] English Heritage would have stepped in. You have done an essential job, maintaining the historic Fieldside.

[joiner60]

Like you, I am passionate about saving and protecting historic buildings, especially the vernacular. As for the few remaining historic houses in Coates we are about to lose yet another one on the South Green, as demolition has recently been granted despite conservation and local objection. Regards

[ZINZIN77]

The cottage on Fieldside was classed as beyond repair. Fenland DC advertised for a craftsman to come and restore the cottage - living in it too. The Joiner60 as he labels himself, won the job. The village Thatcher died in 1989 and there wasn't anyone to take onthe work. Well done Mr Joiner60 [I used to live in the village, on fieldside]

[joiner60]

Thankyou for your comment I am glad you are pleased with the result. As for Fenland advertising for a craftsman to carry out the works on Thatchers Cottage and live in it this is news to me. I wish somebody would have told this before I bought the house on the open market, as I feel winning the job would have saved my bank balance from the thrashing it suffered

[nobberING]

brilliant stuff , me and mrs are currently struggling to restore our 16c thatched cottage down here in suffolk , your video cheered me up no end. thanks for posting it. 

[zoewalker1992]

This is the most breath taking example of renovation. The work and passion that has gone in to this project; should, I hope, leave nothing but pride in your eye's. Of course in my long and fulfilled life, i have done better. But for a male. It's OK. I might even consider taking residence.

[rondad06]

Having moved to Coates just after you did two years ago we have watched the restoration making progress and were in awe of the beautiful roof which we can see from the end of our driveway. Can proudly say that now we have met, I was in the actual cottage an hour ago and although not seen it all yet was most impressed. Promise to be round soon (with my bottle of white wine) to raise a glass to your beautiful home.

[ZINZIN77]

The fire house still stands as garage. The large thatched barn on South Green, converted into a garage was once mine, it went with the house. New builders took the opportunity to change the whole carachter of Coates. A commuters village.