About Complete Thatch

Simon thatches with predominately combed wheat straw and water reed. He tries to use locally sourced materials wherever possible – the straw is grown in Devon and Somerset although water reed tends to be imported as it is not grown for thatching in this area. Simon now grows his own wheat straw in Somerset.

Simon served his apprenticeship in Somerset and Devon and trained at Knuston Hall, Northamptonshire, successfully undertaking the only recognised thatching course in the country at the time.

Although working predominately in Somerset, Simon has worked on properties in Wiltshire, Wales, Northern Ireland and the South East.

Simon has undertaken thatching work for The Landmark Trust and the National Trust, including Stogursey Castle, a 17th century moated gatehouse, and the Holnicote Estate in West Somerset.

Simon was one of the original thatchers to work on the reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London and thatched the Japanese Minka House at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He also thatched a seaweed hut at Freshwater West in Pembrokeshire.