Thatching Apprentice Willow Corbin
Willow Corbin is an apprentice training with Phil Campbell of South Down Thatching. Thatching is an historic craft to create a roof from vegetation. Thatching was once widespread but is now more specialised, it requires many years of training to become a master in this craft. We caught up with Willow and asked a few questions about her work;
How did you get interested and get started in a career in thatching?
I saw a Facebook post that Phil had written and it was shared on a forum I am part of. He was advertising for an apprentice to join him and help with the labour-intensive tasks in his older age. I wasn’t enjoying my current job working in property maintenance, so this seemed like an interesting prospect.
“Phone around some local thatchers and see if they will be willing to train you. There is no formal way in, you just need to find a master you get along with and go from there. Be prepared to work hard in all weathers and get stuck into all the messy tasks.”
Why is an apprenticeship the best way to learn the skills you need?
An apprenticeship allows you to learn on the job and get hands-on experience with your trade. It also gives you the opportunity to earn a living whilst retraining because you are working and contributing labour to the master who is training you.
How does your job combine creativity with traditional techniques?
Thatching uses all the same techniques as they used back when this was the standard method of roofing. We use all the same tools and equipment as well as the same materials. There are a couple of more modern developments, for example, using a drill and screws in certain situations, but on the whole we still fix with hazel spars and use ancient types of straw. When patterning and cutting a ridge, we can shape the fresh hazel into various patterns combining U shapes and V-shapes, which creates a different ridge pattern for each house. Everything is positioned so its pleasing to the eye as opposed to measured and planned, so we use creativity everyday to achieve a great finish.
Do you have a favourite building or roof you have worked on?
I most enjoyed the very first building I finished from start to finish with Phil. Before that we had done a bit of ridging and a bit of coatwork, but to see the whole process unfold was amazing. It was beautiful house in a lovely setting, with equally lovely customers. The pride I felt at the end of that job, knowing I had contributed so much to it and learned so much was brilliant.
Is there a promising future for crafts like thatching?
Absolutely! Thatched houses are mostly listed in the UK, meaning they cannot change from thatch to tiles, so they will continue to require work as long as they are standing, and with so many about there is room for many more people to learn to thatch. The average thatcher has 18-24 months of work lined up, compared to other trades that have 3-6 months work, so there is room for growth in the industry knowing there is plenty of work to go around.
Find out more
The National Society of Master Thatchers offers advice on training and finding local companies.
This interview was created as part of the Crafts in Heritage series for Making the Future — a campaign by QEST and Inspiring the Future (ran by Education and Employers). Read more about Making the Future here.
