Long straw or Combed wheat straw

[Juststarting]

A bit of a long shot but I'm trying to get a couple of sheafs of this straw as I would like to make some skeps.

Living in Derbyshire does not make this easy - none grown and not much call for thatchers either! http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/images/smilies/frown.gif

Does anyone have access to this straw or know some-one (possibbly a thatcher) who might be prepared to sell me some?

I am visiting Somerset Monday/Tuesday next week so would be prepared to pick up anywhere near route M6 or M1, M5.

 

[Frisbee]

You're too early for this year's harvest......

An option to think about would be a steam rally where there will be a threshing machine operating.

Frisbee

 

[snoop]

They will be cutting winter wheat in July , if you wait another 3/4 weeks you should be able to get some

 

[BKF Admin]

Will it be a good length though ?
All the Barley/Wheat around my way seems to be short stuff due to the seed companies playing with it for a better yield.

 

[Frisbee]

It's all short now unless specifically grown for thatching or threshers. Combines break it all up and bend it.

The short grows to maturity quicker.

Frisbee

 

[beeboybee]

http://www.inthatch.co.uk/material_suppliers.htm

used them for a tv commercial few years back very nice guys
should sort you out

 

[Black Comb]

Might be easier to try these people

http://www.vectis-apiculture.co.uk/

 

[Juststarting]

Thanks

Just got back from collecting straw from Inthatch - thanks for the link.

Looking forward to learning another new skill making skeps.

If it ends up looking slightly resonable I'll post a photo.

 

[Hombre]

And if it doesn't, then the guys and gals will love to see it too, if only to realise that we aren't alone in getting new skills wrong.

 

[kighill]

Here is someone a little closer, Rosemary Sault : 01543 472629 in Stafford

 

[Queens59]

In case you get hooked and need more - there is a wetland and thatching centre in the Somerset levels which stock reed etc for thatchers and similar. Do a Google and see for another time? Good Luck!

 

[Juststarting]

Success!

I thought I'd show you my first skep! It took a bit of practice to get it started but I really enjoyed making it. My second on will be slightly larger (hoping to collect a lovely big swarm next year - and not my own!)

Thanks to all who provided details of straw suppliers - I could be hooked - a nice winter hobby.

 

[BKF Admin]

I watched a program years ago that had a guy making Skeps,he used blackberry branches to hold the skep together,he stripped the bark and used it green in strips.

 

[Juststarting]

I had a go at that but found it was very prickly and took far to long for me to get nearly enough twine - definitely more practice needed if my fingers could cope!