Project Completion Report for The Pilgrim Trust
Project Name: Re-thatching Marsworth Victorian Stables
Reference Number: B/3507/4581
Re-thatching of Marsworth Victorian Stables
Sally McIver, Development Manager, Chiltern Open Air Museum
Summary: The re-thatching of Marsworth Victorian Stables, originally
owned and built by Trinity College, Cambridge, was becoming urgent in
order to save this historic farm building which is used as a context for the Museum’s working historic
farm. The re-thatch is in long straw style, which is more authentic to the original than the former thatch
which was in need of replacement. The funding from The Pilgrim Trust, along with other grants from
the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Aslackby Trust, for example, allowed us to go ahead and
start the project, to appoint the thatcher and to progress the re-thatch. This saved the building from
being lost. However, the main impact of the grant will be felt over the next 25 years or so, by our
visitors, as they will be able to enjoy the farm again in its original glory.
Overview of the work supported by the Award - The re-thatching of Marsworth Victorian
Stables In October, 2011, David Birkett Design and Architecture drew up a specification for the
re-thatching and quotations were sought for the work, along with funding. In 2012, Francis Coales
Charitable Trust awarded a grant of £1000 to re-thatch Marsworth Cattleshed, Stables and
Cartshed, key buildings in the Museum’s central working historic farm. It took a further two years
to raise the necessary funds, with donations from the Aslackby Trust, the Pilgrim Trust and the
Garfield Weston Foundation, along with a contribution from Museum Friends. Sadly, by the time
the work was undertaken, the thatch had deteriorated so badly that the roof was covered by an
unsightly but necessary tarpaulin. The building would have been lost if it had not been covered
and re-thatched.
This picture left illustrates the
terrible condition of the thatch
before the work was undertaken.
For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact:
Sue Shave, Director, Chiltern Open Air Museum,
Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB
Tel: 01494 871117 Charity number: 272381
The re-thatching required scaffolding all around the building. The new thatch is a huge
improvement to the ambiance of the Victorian farm.
Marsworth Stables re-thatching
work started mid 2014 with the
buildings team working on
Yealming - the preparation of
straw ready for fixing to the roof.
Emmer wheat straw was grown
specially for this project and
sourced from the local Prestwood
farm, who specialise in historic
varieties of straw. Unfortunately
the straw had to be stored for a
while in our historic barns and
vermin had chewed some of the
straw so a lot of time was spent
initially sorting the straw for length.
The preparation took several
months and included creating
straw beds for yealming the straw.
Yealming and sorting was undertaken by our dedicated
It proved necessary to buy in
Buildings volunteer team. It took several months.
some new straw of better length
for the eaves and verges.
Several thatchers were approached for quotations and references. The Master Thatcher, Roger
Evans was appointed and we had to wait several months before he could undertake the work as
he is in great demand, and because of an injury sustained at the beginning of the year.
For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact:
Sue Shave, Director, Chiltern Open Air Museum,
Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB
Tel: 01494 871117 Charity number: 272381
Scaffolding was erected around the building so that work could begin. Roger used a traditional
long straw method appropriate to the Victorian building. This involved laying straw, held down
with long poles of hazel, called sways, tied to the rafters with tarred twine.
There were several complications to thatching the building including two dormers and the valleys
produced by the L shape, which required highly skilled work.
Building volunteers and heritage building skills trainee Kirsty Bone were given some training and
experience in long straw thatching along the straight runs of the roof so that these techniques can
be passed on and preserved.
The work was completed in time for the opening of the 2015 season at the Museum. The finish
on the roof is an amazing sight and a huge enhancement for the Victorian farmyard.
Benefits and outcomes – meeting the original targets:
 preservation of key historic buildings at the Museum farm for over 40,000 visitors a year
including 10000 school children and a strong local volunteer community of several hundred.
 preservation of the historic artefacts housed at Marsworth including a valuable collection of
horse brasses and traditional saddlery display
 safe dry accommodation for sick animals
 more authentic representation of period building with thatching style for the period
 sharing of historic thatching techniques
The above have been achieved through the re-thatch. The project took longer to complete than hoped
originally because of the availability of the thatcher and also the time taken to raise the funds needed.
The final costs were higher than expected because we had to source extra straw because of needing
longer lengths and because of rodent damage. We also had to hire in scaffolding rather than use our
own. We expect the thatch to last for at least 25 years but the impression of historic rural life and
inspiration to children visiting, to last a lifetime.
Final Expenditure
10 tonnes of traditional straw grown locally
Extra straw
Thatching
Scaffolding etc.
Total
£10,000
£ 3,700
£25,000
£ 3,800
£ 42,500
Quality Control: The architect’s certificate confirmed that the work was carried out to the
required specification.
Chiltern Open Air Museum would like to thank The Pilgrim Trust for their
very generous donation of £10,000 towards this exciting project. Without your contribution we
could not have completed the re-thatch. Site visits are most welcome.
For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact:
Sue Shave, Director, Chiltern Open Air Museum,
Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB
Tel: 01494 871117 Charity number: 272381