As mentioned in the last issue, the Reading Room thatch has deteriorated badly. The Parish Council have sought the advice of various experts who all agree that the roof needs a complete re-thatch. Quotes have been received ranging from £11,000 to £18,000 depending on the material used.
In addition, the flat roof linking the Reading Room to the Village Hall also needs re-doing as it is in a poor state and will begin to leak if nothing is done. Because of the proximity of the thatch on the Reading Room, contractors have informed Council that it will have to be redone using a cold process, which inevitably is more expensive although less of a fire risk than using blow torches to seal the roof. This will cost somewhere between £3000 and £4500.
Councillors are debating the issues including:
The thatch will probably be done next summer as, by then, grants results will be known, the thatchers have no bookings, pre-school is not using the hall and (hopefully) the weather will be amenable!
The debate continues………if you have any comments or questions about these roofing issues then please contact your councillors to give them your views. Their details can be found at the front of this magazine.
Parish Clerk