New roof for New Inn Abbotsham

One of the dwindling band of rural craftsmen, the thatcher is still to be seen occasionally around the district practising the art which, in many cases, has been handed down from generation to generation in one family.

A few days ago Mr Gwyn Parkhouse of High Bullen, Torrington, was putting the finishing touches to the roof of the New Inn at Abbotsham which he has completely re-thatched. Mr Parkhouse’s father and grandfather were thatchers before him and a brother is a thatcher in the Torquay district.

Gazette article 27 June 1952