Name: Thatching Spar training day: spars and sustaining thatching traditions
Start: 2025-11-06T09:00:00+00:00
End: 2025-11-06T17:00:00+00:00
Location: Heritage and Rural Skills Centre NT

Thatching Spar training day: spars and sustaining thatching traditions

A hybrid course focussing on how to make thatching spars and the importance of using traditionally made spars in the repair of historic buildings.
Thatching spar-making is on the red list of endangered Heritage Crafts, yet some 18 million spars are needed annually to maintain thatched roofs in the UK. Spars are staple-like hazel or willow fixings which are hand twisted and used to secure bundles of thatch to roofs. Without spars, thatchers can’t thatch. There is currently a skills and materials shortage to access coppice and make spars in sufficient numbers to support thatchers in the UK.
This course, run by the National Trust and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, in conjunction with the National Society of Master Thatchers and National Coppice Federation and others, aims to help address this key skills shortage.
The course is a hybrid CPD training day. There will be a practical course, with 8 fully-funded bursary places for coppice workers, thatchers and others to learn how to make hazel spars for thatching. There are also spaces available for conservation officers, architects, surveyors and homeowners which will focus on the importance of using traditional thatching spars, and a chance to see spar making demonstrations and learn more about the importance of coppice. A thatch supply issues update will be given by Historic England.
To apply for a bursary place on the practical element of the course please email [email protected]
To book a space as a conservation officer, architect, surveyor or homeowner please book through the link on the booking page: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/heritage-and-rural-skills-centre/events/6103ae26-61dd-4c91-b81f-0f60996a24d9
£90 per person, light lunch included. The course takes place on Thursday 6 November, 9am-5pm at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre.