The Cogges Heritage Trust is a registered charity (no: 1141906) which has leased the property from Oxfordshire County Council in order to ensure it remains open and accessible to the public. The Council has provided funding to get the new Trust up and running and to enable us to open to the public, but by 2013 we will need to be entirely self-financing. We hope to achieve that by offering an interesting and inspiring place for people to visit; serving great coffee and food at our Cafe; providing retail therapy with fabulous Sunday Food Markets; staging special events, large and small; promoting the site as a location for filming; and offering delightful (if basic) facilities for meetings and parties. More revenue-generating activities will follow, and we hope local people will want to start their own social enterprises and create a family of Cogges businesses.
We will also be dependent on donations, of time and money. Giving time to Cogges means we're able to do and offer more, without having to incur higher staff costs; giving money means we can keep the lights on and the chickens fed. Grants will be needed to fund developmental learning programmes and refurbishment projects.
We have had lots of wonderful and heartfelt feedback about Cogges since it closed in 2009 and we know many people love it as an important part of the community in Witney and further afield. Here are the answers to some of the questions we're regularly asked.
What is the Trust
It's a charity with a board of Trustees who are all volunteers and members of the Oxfordshire community.
Why has the Trust taken over Cogges from Oxfordshire County Council?
The County Council were finding Cogges too expensive to run. The Trust, partly because of its charitable status, believes it can make the site self-sustaining. It won't be easy, and it will require lots of help from everybody. But with vision and determination, and working together, we are confident it can work.
Will the new Trust `lease’ Cogges and all its assets or is the Council handing over ownership?
The new Trust has a 30 year lease. Ownership will remain with the Council
Will the Council take back ownership of Cogges Manor Farm if the new Trust is not able to make a success of running Cogges?
Yes.
Can the new Trust sell part or all of Cogges if they wish? Does the public have any say in this?
The new Trust cannot sell part or all of Cogges because the site is owned by Oxfordshire County Council
Is anyone other than the Trustees responsible for running and maintaining the site?
Oxfordshire County Council retains some responsibility for maintenance of the property. The operational management of the site rests with the Trustees.
I want to be kept up to date with all major changes. What should I do?
Register for the Cogges e-newsletter on the home page.
Events at Cogges
Come along and swap your unwanted items, saving them from the rubbish dump. Barn Cafe open 9am - 1pm, Swap Shop 10am - 12pm
Cogges Food Markets start again on Sunday 4th March. The Markets will take place every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. There will be a variety of stalls and the cafe will be open.
Our 2nd Food Market of the year, come along for some tasty treats and the cafe will be open. Pop is for a cuppa (and maybe a cake!)
Opening day!! Come and meet our new animals and enjoy a family day out. Open 10am
Opening times
Open season
31st March 2012 - 4th November 2012
Tues-Sun 10:00-17:00
Bank Holiday Mondays 10:00-17:00
Tel: 01993 772602
email: ops@cogges.org.uk