Historic How Hill house is sporting a new “hair do” as its thatched roof ridge gets a revamp.
And for the two master craftsmen carrying out the makeover on top of the Broads environmental study centre near Ludham it is bringing back happy childhood memories.
For one of them it was even the inspiration to make thatching his career!
Leyton Rutherford, 42 from Buxton near Aylsham, recalled: “During a primary school visit here marshman Eric Edwards told us about thatching and showed us how to knock up a bunch of reed. I was an outside person and I wanted to do that.”
But it wasn’t until 16 years ago, after a spell in his family’s newspaper delivery business, that the chance came to fulfil that dream.
After helping out as a thatching labourer he switched careers, and is loving the “high life” restoring historic building thatches – particularly How Hill.
Leyton added: “Just hearing the children running around and having fun while they learn is a reminder of the time I enjoyed here at this great place.”
Main contactor thatcher Mick Aldred and his father have worked at How Hill for decades – including the last re-ridge about 20 years ago. But he also visited the area as a child, staying with his grandparents who farmed at neighbouring Crome’s Farm.
“We came to help with the harvest, but we also loved roaming the countryside and climbing trees. It is great to come back here to work,” said Mick, 54, from Bradfield near North Walsham.
Work re-ridging How Hill is about a quarter of the way through a three-month, £55,000 project funded through a 50th anniversary appeal in 2016.
It will use 900 bunches of sedge cut from marshes at Woodbastwick and Catfield, held in place with 12,000 hazel “brotches” and 600m of wire netting.
How Hill Trust director Simon Partridge said: “The thatched roof is the crowning glory of our Grade II listed house and we are lucky to have it done by two top craftsmen with strong links to the place.”
Find out more about How Hill at howhilltrust.org.uk
