'Forgotten' thatchers warn trade will die without recruits

Article excerpt

England's thatchers are aging out of their profession with few young people stepping in to learn the ancient craft. Veteran practitioners warn that without new recruits, the skill, which requires years of apprenticeship and increasingly expensive materials, risks disappearing entirely. The trade faces a perfect storm: training opportunities are scarce, costs to enter the field are high, and sourcing quality thatch has become harder. Skilled thatchers can command premium wages for their labor-intensive work, yet the profession remains invisible to most young people considering careers. Without intervention, historic buildings and the distinctive landscape they define could face deterioration.