National Society of Master Thatchers (NSMT)

The National Society of Master Thatchers (NSMT) is an organisation in the United Kingdom whose members are individual master thatchers. It was first formed in September 1967 as the National Society of Master Thatchers Associations, linking county and regional thatching groups. It took its current name in 1977. The legal entity is National Society of Master Thatchers Limited, and its website is nsmt.co.uk.

Membership

Unlike many trade associations, the NSMT admits individual thatchers rather than companies. Thatchers who apply have their work inspected, and those whose work meets the society's standard become members as Master Thatchers. The society publishes its members list so homeowners can find thatchers.

Thatching in the UK

England has one of the largest concentrations of thatched buildings in Europe, many of them listed as historic. Three main materials are used:

• Water reed (Phragmites), a long-lasting material laid with the butt ends exposed to give a smooth, brushed finish.
• Combed wheat reed, wheat straw laid butt-end down, common in south-west England.
• Long straw, threshed wheat straw laid more loosely, giving a softer, shaggier look, traditional in parts of southern and eastern England.

Ridges are often renewed more frequently than the main coat. Choice of material is often controlled on listed buildings to preserve local character, which involves the local planning authority and heritage advisers such as Historic England.

Related topics

Fire safety is an important issue for thatched buildings. Measures include chimney maintenance, spark arrestors, fire barriers under new thatch and fire-retardant treatments. Specialist firms such as Thatching Advisory Services provide advice and products in this area.

Other countries

Thatch is also used in the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, South Africa and Japan, each with its own associations and techniques. In the Netherlands, for example, reed thatch is common on modern houses as well as historic ones.