Letter: Reeds and thatches
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: David Bowen's article on thatching ('Modern approach to an ancient craft', 1 September), with its sub-heading stating that 'some rivals are raising the roof over the activities of the world's largest company devoted to the thatching industry', gives a biased and misleading impression. It is not only traditional thatchers and the Rural Development Commission who are concerned about changes in the craft and the use of non-traditional materials.
Here in Devon, many ordinary people are distressed by the use of water reed instead of the traditional combed wheat, though certainly the last thing they want to do about it is raise the roof. That has been done in too many cases already - the deeply overhanging eaves, which give the old Devon cob and thatch houses such a soft, cosy look, having in some cases been turned into something resembling shelves to support the alien water reed.
Yours faithfully,
JEAN SUFFIELD
Okehampton,
Devon
5 September
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments