I’m one of a long line of thatchers – at least six generations, which is as far back as we can trace. Today, the family business is still going strong. As well as me, there’s my cousin Paul, and my Dad has no plans to retire yet.
Here are some old photos of my Great Grandfather (George), Grandfather (Stan) and Father (Steve) at work. In many of the photos you can see three generations of Shelleys thatching together.
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- From left to right – Grandfather, Great Grandfather and my Dad
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- My Great Grandad, my Grandad and my Dad as a teenage thatcher
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- Three generations of Shelley thatchers working together
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- Grandad making up a yealm
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- Judging by the hair, this snap of my Dad is from the 70s
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- My Dad enjoying his job!
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- Dad, Grandad and Great Grandad at work
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- My Grandad showing my Dad how it’s done
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- My Dad and Grandad. Spot the gravity-defying mallet!
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- Three generations with an essential piece of thatching equipment – the pick-up truck
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- Photo of my Dad and Grandad from the Barleylands (Essex show) guide, 1990
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- Article on my Dad from 1990 edition of Barleylands (Essex show) guide
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- Old photo from a local newslpaper featuring my grandad and dad
D.G. Shelley 