Last week I saw an episode of Grand Designs about a thatched cottage that was rebuilt after a disastrous fire. It wasn't the thatched roof that caused the fire - it was a fault in the very old chimney. In fact they say that a well-made thatched roof will actually inhibit a fire.

They used Norfolk reed, although the local authorities wanted them to use wheat straw. They had gone ahead without permission, hoping that they wouldn't be forced to remove it once it was there - and fortunately, they got away with it. When it was finished, it really was a work of art!