National Trust & SPAB: Thatching Spar training day: Spars and sustaining thatching traditions
image: Sally Stradling
A hybrid CPD training day is to be held at Coleshill Heritage and Rural Skills Centre near Swindon
Spar making is on the red list of endangered Heritage Crafts yet some 18 million spars are needed annually to maintain thatched roofs in the UK. Spars are staple like hazel or willow fixings which are hand twisted and used to secure bundles of thatch to roofs.
Without spars thatchers can’t thatch! There is currently an identified skills and materials shortage to access coppice and make spars in sufficient numbers to support thatchers in the UK. The National Trust and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, in conjunction with the National Society of Master Thatchers and National Coppice Federation and others are taking steps to address this.
At the event 8 bursary students wishing to add spar making to their thatching or coppicing skill set will have an opportunity to attend a free training taster day making hazel spars for thatching. Other places will be available for conservation officers, surveyors, architects and houseowners. A thatch supply issues update will also be given by Historic England.