European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 7, 1958, Darmstadt, Hesse                                T h tripes feature motion Durkins and daughter Cathy Dine in picturesque cottage the Houston relax in timbered living room of their 300-year-old thatched cottage. Yanks in thatched cottages 17th Century Field hand s cottage becomes 20th Century dream House by Robert j. Dunphy staff writers a photos by Gene Bane Here an old English thatched cottage is getting re thatch treatment. Mrs. Houston airs Linen husband repairs wire on their thatched roof. Americans with a hankering to go native in Britain Are moving into picturesque thatched cottages that Dot the English Countryside. It s the newest thing in gracious living with a sort of log Cabin Appeal. Typical of the yanks who Are renting the quaint Reed roofed dwellings with Builtin air conditioning is capt Francis m. Durkin resident auditor with the 20thtactical fighter Wing at Wethersfield air base. The 34-year-old Durkin actually does t have much in common with thatched cot tages. Coming As he does from the state Side Hamlet of Brooklyn n.y., he feels much More at Home around skyscrapers. It seems however that mrs. Durkin saw the place first and naturally fell in love with it. Needless to say the Durkins moved in shortly thereafter with their daughter Cathy six their Csolty Ginger and their cat Kitsy. In certain sections of Britain East Anglia and Norfolk for instance the thatched cottage is As much a part of the English scene As is the ubiquitous Public House or  and the thatched cottage the Durkins took Over happens to be one of the finest in All England. Matter of fact a photo graph of the cottage is featured in Fodor s 1958 guide to Britain. Located in Thaxted a few Miles from the base Yew tree cottage As the House is called is some 400 years old and lies in the midst of a perfect picture postcard setting. Surrounded by roses and hollyhocks inthe summer the thatched cottage is the Type of House that takes a Heap of living in the wintertime to make a Home. The Durkins use Gas lamps for lighting an open fireplaces for heat. Mrs. Durkin found the cottage through the base housing office at Wethersfield in August 1955. She convinced her husband to rent the cottage for one year but they be enjoyed their stay so much the keep extending the lease. When we heard the cottage did t have electricity we did t see How we could possibly live Here mrs. Durkin pointed Kitsy on Lawn of Durkins old cottage. Out. But now that we be managed Sowell we hardly mates it at  the Durkins pay $72 a month rent for the six room cottage Complete with a Houseful of antique furnishings and a Garden that mrs. Durkin says could the had in the slates even in a House sell ing for $20,000." the Irons for pressing Are heated atop the Kitchen stove the water for the Bath is heated in an antique Gas Heater the family occasionally is snowed in during the Winter. We shut off some of the rooms in Winter and go to bed at 7 30 at night to beat the cold mrs Durkin related. We might be living Back in the gaslight Era but it s the prettiest House we be Ever Hadin the  Durkins Are not scheduled to rotate to i he . Until july of next year and they have every intention of living out the remainder of their tour in England at Yew tree cottage. Even if we were offered housing on the base we would t move now mrs. Durkin said. Several other american families have asked if they could have the place when we leave but we be raved about the place so much that even the landlord can Twait to move Back  another pioneering Wethersfield yank currently living it up in thatched cottage style is 1st it James d. Houston information services officer of the 20th Wing. Houston and his wife Jean Are the occupants of Hill Crest a 300-year-old cottage in Finchingfield. Hill Crest might not be Able to hold Candle to Yew tree cottage for sheer Beauty of effect but it s authentic and the Houston have brought a wealth of do it yourself enthusiasm into play to convert the cottage into a Model Home. The 24-year-old lieutenant and his Young Bride pay about $40 a month rent for their five room cottage just Down the Road from the base and it has electricity. The Houston have employed modern decor in brightening up the Interior of Hill Crest and they be succeeded in making a 20th Century dream House out of a 17th Century Field hand s cottage. Friday november 7, 1958 the stars and stripes Page 11