With the advent of Covid, home working is very much now in focus, with many being offered flexible working, only having to go into the office a few days a week. This has opened up the housing market and many locations up to those who had limited options. Since the first lockdown, the countryside has looked far more attractive to many, with fresh air and space, plus working from home far easier an option.
We are all guilty of it, wistfully scrolling through Rightmove, searching for that ideal house. Then one appears, large beautiful garden, roses over the gateway, it is thatched. The romantic vision is complete! It is very important though to do your home work to ensure your dream isn't a nightmare.
Thatch has a lot of myths about it. Having been thatching for 24 years full time, if I'd have a pound for every time I'd heard one of the following, I would be well retired by now... 'They catch fire so easily', "They only last 10 years and then need re-thatching', 'You can't do anything with listed properties', the list is endless. These myths need dispelling.
To most people thatch is thatch, regardless of colour or condition of the roof. Unless it is a a virtually brand new roof, most people believe that work will be needed immediately, which is often not the case.
ALWAYS SPEAK TO A THATCHER FIRST
If you've seen the house' and have made an offer, the first port of call must be to speak to a thatcher. Some will go with the thatcher the current owner has used, others a completely new thatcher. There is a danger that some owners will have work completed cheaply to give a fresh yellow veneer in order to help sell the house, so having a thatcher of your choice is often a good idea.
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How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
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Goodbye to the birds of spring and summer
If you look and listen you might be able to see them preparing to leave says The RSPB
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Claire Waring advises on doing the best to make sure your colonies survive until next spring
Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter
Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter
Time to prepare to plant your orchard
Wade Muggleton, smallholder and author of The Orchard Book, shares his practical experience so you can create your own fruit collection
Choosing feed for the autumn
As autumn approaches, Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at the Smallholder Range, offers advice on choosing the right feed to support your adult birds through their annual moult and ensure your young birds grow and finish well at this time of the year.
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
Reflecting on how much the humble hen has helped people world wide plus advice on stopping the scourge of red mite
Give your hens some support
Paul Donovan looks at the right and wrong ways of handling birds
