Woman's Weekly - UK Magazine

23 April 2014

Growing up, I lived in a house with a thatched roof. It was wonderful most of the time (and unusual for somewhere so relatively close to London), except on Bonfire Night, when we always panicked about a firework landing on it and setting it alight, and on the fortunately rare occasions when it needed re-thatching. Partly because of our location but mostly because of the lack of skilled thatchers, each time it needed attention we had to wait months for someone to do the work. It was a source of great excitement to us as children that the thatcher and his assistant took up residence in a mobile home in front of the house for the duration of the job because they lived so far away. Watching the extraordinary expertise of these craftsmen instilled in me a deep respect for ancient and traditional skills that lasts to this day. So I was delighted to read about Monty Don’s new series (page 10) highlighting some of our wonderful traditional crafts and the men andwomen who keep them alive. Easter is the first bank holiday break of the year and the longest one, too. It’s a lovely chance to get away for a few days and/or spend time with the people we love. Whatever you’re doing this Easter, I hope you have a marvellous time. Diane Kenwood, Editor