Services

Water Reed re-thatch

Wheat Reed re-thatch

Re-ridge

Roof Repairs

Testimonials

'In November 2016 Chris Keelty started work on my cottage and annex. He completely re-ridged both roofs and recoated one side of the annex, doing an excellent job on both, completing the work in January 2017. His price was very reasonable. Chris worked hard throughout keeping me informed of progress. I found him reliable and punctual and always very cheerful and therefore it was a pleasure to have him around. I would strongly recommend him as a thatcher.'

Patrick Lewis

'From our first site meeting to final completion, dealing with Chris has been an absolute pleasure. Cheerful and charming, throughout the process he was well-organised, efficient and he was careful to minimise the mess and disruption. He delivered to time and budget and the final result fulfilled all our expectations. Our new thatched roof has drawn very favourable comment from our neighbours and more widely within the village. I recommend him without reservation.'

Chris Sloane

'Chris Keelty worked for us during the summer of 2014 removing the old thatch and re-thatching the main house, about five weeks in all. During this time we found him to be a conscientious worker and a pleasure to have around, arriving punctually each morning and leaving after a full day’s work. At the end of each day he left the area around the house clean and tidy. Chris is a true craftsman whose quality of workmanship is plain for all to see, it is admired by all who pass and visit the house, added to his skill is the fact that he is a thoroughly decent chap and totally trustworthy. I do not intend here to write pages, but let it be said in these few words; I have nothing but the highest praise for his character and his craftsmanship. I therefore recommend him to you.'

George Farenden

About

Chris started his thatching career in his home county of Surrey before moving to Somerset to learn his craft with master thatcher Tom Dunbar. During his apprenticeship Chris was lucky to be involved in every aspect of the thatching craft from the harvesting and threshing of wheat straw to the coppicing and harvesting of hazel and willow for spar making. As part of his apprenticeship Chris attended Knuston Hall to hone his skills alongside other young thatchers and came away with recognised qualifications in the craft. During his apprenticeship Chris also learnt carpentry skills to compliment his thatching and as a result is competent to undertake timber renovations to the roofs he works on.

Throughout his career Chris’s focus has been on the conservation and restoration of thatched roofs believing that each roof is unique and, therefore, the approach should be tailored to the unique features of each individual roof. One of the recent highlights was to work on Tisbury Tithe barn which is one of the largest thatched buildings in the country and dates back to the medieval period. However, Chris understands that the smaller residential properties are just as important to the craft's heritage. Alongside the traditional aspects of the craft Chris is keen to embrace the modern and has worked on new build projects throughout the South West. Chris is now based in Frome with his wife and young daughter and works throughout the West Country.