Coleshill Heritage and Rural Skills centre
There was a grand opening by Lord Parkinson on May 19th of the newly renovated Model Farm buildings housing the Heritage and Rural Skills In Coleshill. Not heard of it? Not surprising as even people who lived for many years in the village had never been inside though one gentlemen did admit he had been on the roof as a child. If you travelled the road between Faringdon and Highworth you will have driven past it many times perhaps wondering what was behind the long slightly curved wall. Well its open now for you to visit
The Coleshill estate was owned by the Earl of Radnor, the house unfortunately burnt down in the 1950’s The farm, embracing new ideas in agriculture reform, was built on a slightly sloping site so that it was worked progressively from the higher to the lower levels. The grain entered at the top where it would be threshed and stored in the granary This grain was then mixed with other ingredients and was fed to the stock by means of shute, and tramway system(evidence of this can be seen). Further down the slope there were cows, pigs, sheep and horses but no hens despite a poultry area being included in the design The bottom area was the midden for the collection of animal waste which would be put back on the field.
It had been used as a store for the type of items that may prove useful in the future and housed lots of artefacts from Coleshill House which had been rescued
Once a model farm and now to be used as an area for craft and education There are buildings available to rent, the Highworth Men’s Shed being one of these There are to be open days when craftsmen will be there showing the kind of work needed by the NT in the upkeep of their properties. The lime plasterers, workers in wood and metal were working there at the open day There are guided tours one guide being one of our own members Well worth a visit, and there is always the coffee shop for that cup of tea! Do check the opening times
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