Two Banbury thatchers have given their time and skill to help preserve Britain’s first ever 'vaccination clinic'.

Master thatchers Michael Stanley and Miles Colegrave spent a week in Berkeley, Gloucestershire putting a new thatch on the Temple of Vaccinia – a tiny stone building used as a clinic by the pioneering doctor, Edward Jenner.

There, in the mid 1790s, Dr Jenner began to treat villagers with a new system to prevent them getting the virulant Smallpox – a feared disease of the time. He did so after realising that milkmaids who caught Cowpox from the animals they worked with, were immune to Smallpox.

A description of this incredible time in medical history can be found here.

Michael Stanley and Miles Colegrave are pictured at completion of work on the Temple of Vaccinia

placeholder image — Michael Stanley and Miles Colegrave are pictured at completion of work on the Temple of Vaccinia

Michael Stanley told the Banbury Guardian: “We saw an article explaining that this incredibly important building was going to rack and ruin. So Miles and I stepped up and offered to help restore the birthplace of vaccines.

"The job took just three and a half days and The Jenner’s Trust are very happy with the new roof.”

Michael and Miles, partners in The Master Thatchers Ltd, combined their considerable expertise to help preserve the stone, wood and thatch building’s historic character.

The process involved removing one layer of the old, weathered thatch to reduce weight and reveal a solid base, before meticulously sparring on fresh, combed wheat straw.

The Temple of Vaccinia - Britain's first vaccination clinic - stone built with wooden cladding, before its re-roofing

This traditional material was chosen to recreate an authentic long straw appearance, ensuring the hut retained its original charm while benefiting from renewed durability.

Their collaborative effort reflects a deep respect for heritage craftsmanship, bringing new life to the structure while staying true to time-honoured thatching techniques.

The two have been thatching up and down the country as-well as locally, with projects ranging from large, thatched mansions to important historical buildings. The Temple, a picturesque, romantic hermitage, was designed and built for Jenner by his friend, the Rev Ferryman.

Jenner ran a weekly clinic for the local community to provide free vaccinations. The Temple is listed in ‘Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places’ (see here) as well as on their heritage at risk register here.