The cottage had the remnants of long straw thatch with a butt ridge. Although this material is not as robust as reed or combed wheat, in my opinion the shape of the roof and the design of the cottage would be complimented by long straw with a flush ridge. Hampshire Council agreed wholeheartedly and supplied a grant – or rather a modest contribution.		Unlike reed and combed wheat, which are dressed on the roof with a Leggett so that only the ends of the material are visible, long straw shows more stalk and needs to be clipped to reduce the appearance of a bad hair day.
The end of an era – the blue tarpaulin lays abandoned on the straw heap and buckets are emptied for the last time.		Steve Cleeve applying the detailing to the rim of the thatch ready for the wire cover. Long straw and combed wheat are most frequently wired to prevent bird and vermin damage.
		A transformation. Total cost for the roof £10,000 (less council grant £2,000) timber framing repairs c. £3,500.