26 CONTEXT 189 : SEPTEMBER 2026 In addition, Historic England identified threats to long-term production caused by a lack of cohesive coordination between straw growers and organisational representation of them, and the absence of organised succession planning across the sector. Most of the issues identified were not capable of rapid solutions, or such solutions as might be possible were outside the scope of Historic England to implement. However, an area where further work by the organisation could potentially provide immediate benefits to producers was that of the sector’s general reliance on unreliable and inefficient vintage machinery. A further report was therefore commissioned from an agricultural engineering consultant to identify appropriate mechanisation solutions, and associated equipment, to make the production of thatching straw a more efficient, safer and less labour-intensive process. These improvements could contribute to it becoming a less risky and more consistently financially viable enterprise. The findings from the first two reports of the Traditional Thatch Project were presented at a workshop specifically organised for thatching straw growers and distributors in June 2023. For the first time, around 50 thatch producers and some representatives of thatcher organisations congregated in one place to discuss common issues and concerns, and provide feedback on the research undertaken. From that event and reaction to the initial machinery report2, the need emerged for technical guidance to assist straw growers in obtaining the greatest efficiency and reliability from their old machinery. Several such guides are currently being developed by the consultant. The first three of these technical guides were published on Historic England’s website in June 2026 and the final one is planned to be added in September. In March 2026 a follow-up straw grower and producer’s workshop was held in Wiltshire to raise awareness of the research and publications among those who will most benefit from them. Ultimately, more modern and efficient machinery solutions will be required if straw production is to remain sustainable into the mid-21st century and beyond. Historic England hopes that its initial research into thatching straw production will generate interest from other organisations or businesses better suited to pursuing such technological advances. After adverse growing conditions and two very poor straw harvests in 2023 and 2024, straw supplies were running extremely low. A more successful harvest in 2025 temporarily stabilised the supply situation, although straw stocks were again running low by late spring 2026. Fortunately, the weather conditions for the 2026 harvest have also been very favourable.With two Jenny Chesher is a senior building conservation advisor in the building conservation team at Historic England, where her research for the last five years has focused on the production and use of traditional thatch. successive good harvests it is hoped that combed wheat straw supplies will be consolidated. The situation for long straw production is less optimistic, however, as the number of growers continues to dwindle. Following the 2025 harvest, straw reached its highest-ever price per tonne, demonstrating that when growing and harvesting conditions are favourable, straw can be a profitable crop to produce – although the pent-up demand for thatch has no doubt also contributed to that price. Conversely, though, it has never been more expensive for property owners to rethatch their buildings. A more consistent supply of thatch, to balance supply with demand and stabilise its price, would be a great benefit to thatchers and owners. The vagaries of the thatch supply situation in recent years have reinforced an urgent need to expand the number of growers in the sector, and to provide greater sustainability for the businesses of existing producers. Historic England is keen to find ways of attracting the next generation of straw producers, which will mean encouraging individuals to diversify from existing farming enterprises or appealing to entrepreneurial people beyond them. A new generation of environmentally aware farmers is rediscovering historic wheat varieties in pursuit of developing ‘heritage’ grain suitable for artisan baking and brewing. There is considerable potential for these varieties to be compatible with the production of thatching straw, but there are challenges in adapting the differing harvesting techniques employed by these growers. Historic England will continue working collaboratively with key stakeholders able to provide long-term engagement from within the sector. Furthermore, we hope to develop the sector’s resilience by involving new organisations and individuals with a compatible interest in environmental sustainability, traditional crops and agroecology. Stooked straw sheaves in Somerset 2 Scarlett, Andy (2023), Machinery for Processing and Harvesting Cereal Straw for Thatching, Historic England Research Report Series 35.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgyMjA=