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Project underway to rescue medieval thatched building
Cristina Lago Deputy Editor
The Upminster Tithe Barn, in Havering, Greater London, is a scheduled monument (Image: Historic England Archive)
A 12-month project is in progress to get one of London’s oldest thatched buildings removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.
The 15th-century Upminster Tithe Barn is being refurbished thanks to a partnership between National Highways, the London Borough of Havering, and Historic England.
The project includes repairs to structural timbers and historic brickwork and rethatching the vast roof.
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Four master thatchers and two apprentices are using around 30 tonnes of water reed to rethatch the roof, which is expected to last between 50 and 60 years.
Around 11,000 bundles of water reeds weighing around 30 tonnes will be used for the new roof (Image: Historic England Archive)
National Highways is contributing £650,000 towards the repairs through its Lower Thames Crossing scheme. Historic England is providing a £97,664 grant and ongoing specialist advice and support.
Four master thatchers and two apprentices are working on the barn with water reed (Image: Historic England Archive)
This funding covers further essential work, including timber repairs and treatment of all external woodwork.
The work is being carried out by Lexden Contracts, specialists Essex Oak Frame and Simply Thatch, and a design team including Purcell, Conisbee and Stace.
Dr Steve Sherlock, heritage adviser at National Highways, said: “The barn dates from around 1450 and was originally part of the Waltham Abbey estate. It is thatched with water reed and, at 44 metres long, is one of the largest thatched barns in Britain. The rethatching is no mean feat for the team of specialists.”
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