174-year-old Barrington school has roof re-thatched

One of the last remaining schools with a traditional thatched roof has had the rustic reeds replaced during the summer holidays.

The 174-year-old school in the village of Barrington was re-thatched with a reed roof for the first time in village’s living memory.

Teaching 150 children, the school is one of only three in the country to have a traditional thatched roof.

The school’s Headteacher, Mrs Francesca Catterson, said: “This year marks Barrington primary school’s 175th anniversary and just in time for the celebrations, the old school house received a much needed makeover. “We are absolutely delighted with the new thatch which required the specialist skills and know-how of Pepper Thatchers.

“Despite our age the school retains the same strong Christian family values upon which it was founded.”

Chris Pepper, of Pepper’s Cambridge Thatching, said: “It is extremely unusual for a school in this country to have a thatched roof and we have never done one before,

“The school roof has taken about six weeks to complete. We need to have it ready in charge for the new school term.”

Val Tookey, clerk of Barrington Parish Council, said: “‘I have been connected to the village for more than 40 years and I don’t remember it ever being thatched before. It has been re-patched in the past, but it’s the first time it has been re-thatched completely for a long, long time, and definitely not within my lifetime.”

She added: “It has been exciting to see it being done.”

Opened in 1838, the school the school cost £500 to build, which included £25 for the sedge roof

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