To Thatch or not to Thatch, that's the question

A story, a question, (and many idioms).

Here’s a funny story; at least I think so, well I really don’t have any alternative!

For more years than I care to remember I gave talks about Kentish history throughout the county, and it was natural that when I purchased Dode I should include its history in my schedule.

Although I no longer do this, I still, (along with a number of other talks in aid of our charities) give a couple each year in the church itself.

Towards the end of the talk I have always referred to George Matthews Arnold who put the roof back on in 1904. I go on to say that shortly afterwards George died, but it was not at all surprising as he was an elderly man in his 80’s.

Last month I looked him up on Wikipedia only to find that I am now older than he was when he died!

You have to laugh, otherwise you would cry!

Here’s the question...

Even if I’m having trouble accepting the fact, it’s clear from the above that I’m getting a bit long in the tooth, and, before I pop my clogs (sorry Jacobine) it has long been an ambition of mine to take George’s admirable work a stage further and return the church to its original form by thatching its roof.

But here’s the problem - there are two schools of thought. Some people that I have discussed it with, and that I respect, indicate that I should leave well alone, saying that it’s a fire hazard, that the thatch will only last for 25years etc etc.

So once again I find that I must leave the final decision to a public vote and to help, here’s a little before and after montage expertly prepared by our photographer Matt James.

If it went ahead, this would be a lengthy project - there are many bureaucratic hurdles to jump - Planning Permission - Listed Building Consent - Building Regulations and don’t get me started on saving up the money!

But yet!

The hardest part of any job is starting it, and time is becoming precious so please let me know what you think, the opinions of everyone that loves and cares for Dode really matter to us who look after it.

The Brightest of Beltane Blessings - Doug.

Note: This was originally posted on facebook and the majority of the votes/opinions went towards keeping the roof as is.