Banbury Thatcher taking tradition to the USA

Daniel Peck, 26, from Banbury is a self-employed thatcher who quickly developed the skills required to master the craft.

Daniel said: “I got into thatching through a friend who asked me if I wanted to do an apprenticeship. It is supposed to be a five-year apprenticeship but I got taught fast and I was self-employed three years into it.”

Daniel has now been thatching for six years and has worked across the UK. Last November, however, an American-based business man presented a chance for him to thatch his way across the United States.

Daniel said: “I set up an Instagram page and that’s how he found me. He asked me if I wanted to go over there and see how they do it.

“He’s from Essex but emigrated there 25 years ago and set up McGhee and Co. He has people go over there quite a lot as there are no experienced thatchers in America.”

Daniel has taken the State-side trip twice, allowing him to hone his skills and work on some distinguished properties, Daniel said: “ The first time, I went to Virginia and worked on one of Donald Trump’s wineries. The last time, I was in Boston and worked on the biggest thatched roof in the world.”

Since returning to the UK in June, Daniel has started construction of a whole host of unique thatched items including Wendy houses, dog kennels, gazebos and bird tables.

Daniel said: “I thatched a Wendy house for the kids and that’s what gave me the idea to start making different stuff.”

The hand-crafted creations are made using the same traditional skills used to thatch the roofs of houses and should have a life-span of up to 15 years.

Visit the Thatched Creations page on Facebook to view Daniel’s items or call 07427161677 to arrange your own bespoke creation.