Introduction
The Society was first established in 1967 and its original name, The National Society of Master Thatchers' Associations reflected the basis of the membership. By 1977 it was realised that individuals wished to be recognised as Master Thatchers in their own right. A new constitution was drawn up and the name changed to the National Society of Master Thatchers. The name was changed again, to its current form, in 1998 when the Society became incorporated as a Limited company; this reflects the changing times and is a necessary strategy that protects the personal liability of the Society’s executive officers.
Membership of the Society is through proposal and sponsorship by an existing member, followed by peer review. This entry procedure ensures that the very highest quality standards, of craftsmanship are maintained and clients can have confidence in thatchers who demonstrate Society membership as part of their in-house business promotion.
The National Society of Master Thatchers has a responsibility to its members to continually review the past to help them meet the challenges of the future, not just for their own businesses but also for their customers; thatched property owners, who actually finance the nation's thatch and heritage infrastructure. Individually thatched houses should be regarded as “Small Heritage”, for they are maintained by individuals and do not attract the huge interest or publicity that goes with maintaining large properties or obsolete buildings; but together they form an important part of village cultural heritage and probably add up to a national capital asset of approximately £12.5 billion
We are the resource of first choice for our members, their customers, conservation officers, the media and for all who care about thatch as part of our National heritage.
Malcolm Dodson, 1940 - 2011
With the immensely sad passing of Malcolm Dodson, I am prompted to look at part of his life’s work, and try to look into a crystal ball and see if the future of sustainable thatching, that Malcolm fought for so valiantly, will be achieved.
Inextricably linked, Arthur and Malcolm, the Dodson brothers, are legendary in our craft industry. Utterly honest, and I witnessed some who felt the lash of Arthur’s tongue, or the refusal to take the outstretched hand of a man who could no longer be trusted. His honesty could be brutal and without compromise. Malcolm, no less honest, was the peacemaker, the diplomat. Self effacing and willing to listen and to learn from anybody. Both brothers dedicated to their craft and dedicated to see its future sustained, to enable their children and children’s children, to continue in the craft if they chose to do so.
Willing to help anyone who asked.
I remember a conversation with Paul Reading, who said that Malcolm had been to visit him to inspect some thatch for membership to the NSMT. Malcolm had got up on the ridge with Paul, and said “can I show you something that somebody else showed me” and proceeded to show Paul a particular technique and left. Paul said to me later, “if you’ve got people of his calibre in the National Society, I want to part of it”. That was Malcolm.
The Dodson brothers were legendary for the work they put into thatching, the development and growing of crops, and design of machinery for harvesting, understanding of farming and cereal crops, the understanding of how a thatched roof works. But also their willingness to help other thatchers, and anyone who needed advice and guidance, “without fear or favour”. Freely and willingly given.
Malcolm was the “thinking man’s, horny handed son of the soil.” I say this with the greatest respect, and I also remember a barrister in Court when referring to Arthur’s overt honesty, using those exact terms. Above all was their work ethic, the quality of their finished work, and output of work. They won the best thatched house competition regularly, and I’m not sure that they were out of the top three in the past 10 years.
It seems even longer ago that Malcolm, Arthur, Alastair West and I, set off to meet some German thatchers with a view to forming a European Thatching Society. What a pleasure and what an education to have Arthur and Malcolm captive in the car all the way there and all the way back. We learnt from them their views on pre wetting long straw, improving roof longevity by using water reed in valleys and under chimneys, and many other things which they had given great thought and years of experience to understanding, and putting into practice. We also laughed a lot.
Neither should it be forgotten that Malcolm was a true conservationist. His work on areas of his own land to benefit various species of birds, plants and butterflies and insects, and attract new, won him recognition and awards in the field.
A passionate, experienced, highly knowledgeable, courageous, caring, generous, family man. A man who enriched the lives of those who knew his friendship.
God bless you Malcolm.
− Bob West