Record year for Cogges Farm

Visitor numbers have been confirmed for this year at a whopping 32,621 - a 25% increase on the previous year (an additional 8476 people), which is an incredible achievement with such a small team and such limited budgets. School visits were up even more, by over 30%. These figures don't include Advent weekend in early December, so we're looking at something close to 35,000.

Season tickets have been amazingly popular, with over 650 sold, and 6780 season ticket uses recorded. So on average season ticket holders each visited Cogges 10 times.

Cogges re-opens for the 2009 season on 7th April 2008. This gem in the middle of a fast-growing town will need all the support it can get, so put that date in your diary and let's hope it's sunny!

Cogges Farm scoops tourism award

Cogges Farm was HIGHLY COMMENDED in the Small Visitor Attraction category of Tourism South East's Excellence awards. Find out more at http://www.getdiscovered2008.co.uk/winners.html

Award boost for Cogges Farm

Cogges Manor Farm in Wtiney has been shortlisted for the small attraction of the year award in a major regional competition seeking out excellence in tourism in the South East of England.
All shortlisted organisations will be named as either winner, runner-up or highly commended in the Tourism South East’s ExSEllence awards, which will be presented at the exclusive at the exclusive Wentworth Club in Surrey on 28th October.

Lorraine Horne Marketing & Publicity Officer said: "This is wonderful news and a great opportunity for our staff to celebrate all the hard work and dedication they have put in this season. If we win it will be the icing on the cake following record visitor numbers during July at Cogges."

The next major event will be the Country Fair, which takes place on the weekend of the 27/28 September and brings to life bygone times. Alongside stalls selling crafts, jewellery and Victorian keepsakes, there will be food for sale and demonstrations of rural crafts. Children can get close to traditional breeds of animal as well as listen to farmyard tales and embark on a toy chicken trail.

Giddy Goats from Waitrose

A big THANK YOU to Waitrose in Witney and their customers who voted to donate a portion of the store's profits to Cogges Farm. We used the money to buy two goats, both girls, who have settled in very well indeed.

We've named them Mocha and Chino.

Jubilant July for Cogges

Visitor numbers at one of Oxfordshire’s hidden treasures Cogges Manor Farm Museum, Witney, have exceeded expectations this July and are on track to produce an excellent season. During July visitor figures rose to nearly five thousand, proving once again that this is indeed a unique and valuable attraction.

Situated on the banks of the River Windrush just a few minutes walk from Witney town centre, Cogges has an exciting programme of events from rural crafts to Shakespeare on the lawn. With activities planned to the end of October, there is sure to be something from grandparents to grandchildren. Events still to come this season include:

• Rural Crafts Weekend 23, 24 & 25 Aug,
• Harvest Weekend 6 & 7 Sept
• Country Fair 27 & 28 Sept
• Apple Weekend 11 & 12 Oct
• The Big Draw 18 & 19 Oct
• Scarecrow Weekend 25 & 26 Oct
• Half Term children’s activities
• Advent Weekend 6 & 7 December

Councillor Jim Couchman, Cabinet Member for Social and Community Services, said: “I’m delighted to hear that visitor numbers are rising at Cogges, and I hope they will stay high for events planned for the rest of summer, autumn and winter this year.”

Combat Bear Rocks at Cogges

Combat Bear really got into the swing of things when he visited Cogges Farm for the Teddy Bears' Picnic on Saturday 26th July. He couldn't resist horsing around in the nursery!

Snugly Ducklings

Say 'hello' to our new Call Ducklings born on Wednesday 23rd July. We're having a naming ceremony on 27th July. Described as the 'toy' ducks of the domestic waterfowl breeds, they don't come much cuter.

Shakespeare on the Lawn

A seven-strong all-male company will play no less than 20 male and female roles in Shakespeare’s sparklingly witty romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing.

The acclaimed professional company Festival Players, based in Gloucestershire, will perform on the lawn at Cogges on Sunday 10th August as part of 54 mostly open-air recitals at castles, amphitheatres, abbeys and palaces across England, Scotland and Wales.

Tickets £12.50 (concessions £10). Please bring your own seating & picnic. Refreshments available onsite.

Healthy/Eco Schools celebration at Cogges Manor Farm a big success

The July rain did not stop Oxfordshire pupils, teachers and parents from enjoying a special day on Monday 7th July. What better place to celebrate the National Year of Food and Farming-themed day than Cogges Manor Farm, a working farm from Victorian times, to learn how butter is made, how to milk a cow, and what grows in a kitchen garden?

The Healthy/Eco Schools Celebration attracted some five hundred visitors, who were invited to visit displays, participate in demonstrations and explore the farm. Many schools also entered home-baked cakes and ‘school-grown’ produce into the school competition. Susanna Pressel, Lord Mayor of Oxford handed out prizes to the winners of the cookery competition, ranging from cook books to a day at Raymond Blanc’s famous cookery school at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.

Pupils from Dr South’s in Kidlington describe the river walk: ‘We saw cows, lambs, a foal and lots of cow pats!’ giggles James (8). Milking the cow also proved very popular: most of the pupils gave it a go. Cameron (8) delights in how big and smelly the pigs are. Then he’s off: Food With Thought is baking pancakes next door...

All Quiet on the Cogges Front

Cogges Farm rocked to Celtic sounds of Witney-based ceilidh band The Quiet Men, who played two hour-long sets on Saturday 28th June as part of the museum's music festival.

In addition to traditional songs and tunes that workers on the farm would have enjoyed a century ago, the band played contemporary material by bands like Radiohead and Snow Patrol on traditional instruments including the mandolin and bazouki. Their finale, featuring the Highland bagpipes, raised the roof, but fortunately only metaphorically, as the Stonesfield slates had recently been repaired!

All About Sidney

Here's our guest blogger Izzy writing about Sidney the rabbit.

This is Sidney the rabbit. I personally think he's very cute. I think he likes to be petted under the ears. He is very, very soft and has a very smooth coat. I think he is one of the softest animals on the farm. I wish I could keep him at home!

Bella the Rabbit

Maya, aged 6, visited the farm today. Here is the photo she took of Bella the rabbit.

My favourite rabbit is called Bella.

She is very soft.

She is white and brown.

I like to stroke her.

She is very cute.

Oliver the Foal - First Steps

Music Weekend

On a different note, literally, Cogges will be hosting a Music Weekend on 28th-29th June and will be open in the evenings for a Victorian Music Hall performance on the Saturday and barn dance on the Sunday.

Half Term Activities

Parents looking to keep their children occupied and entertained over half term will find a wide choice of activities on offer between 27th - 30th May. On Tuesday there will be a children’s recycling workshop, with rag rug making from 11.30 -12.30 & 2.30 – 3.30pm. Wednesday is baking day, with sessions in the Victorian kitchen betwen 11.30 – 12.30 & 2.30 – 3.30pm (advance booking is required as numbers are limited). On Thursday it’s farm fun, with animal-handling, animal bookmarks to make and story-telling at 11.30 – 12.30 & 1.30 – 3.30pm and on Friday there will be family crafts, with printing from 11.30 – 12.30 & 2.30 -3.30pm.

Smokin!

Say hello to Smokey, the Aberdeen Angus cross calf, who arrived on the farm in April 2008.

The Cogges Lambs

Witney is famous for its woollen blankets and the new season lambs provide a lively reminder of the town's history. Larry, Clara, Olivia & Dave are very friendly and you can meet them in Pets Corner of the farm.

The Piglets

Countess, our Gloucester Old Spot sow, gave birth to four lively piglets this April - two boys and two girls. They're growing fast!

Oliver the Foal

Oliver, the bay foal, was born to Nancy in April 2008. Here he is just a few days old!