NO to Cogges Farm Museum closure (From Witney Gazette)

NO to Cogges Farm Museum closure

3:26pm Tuesday 4th December 2007

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TODAY, the Witney Gazette adds its voice to the growing protests over the possible closure of Cogges Farm Museum.

Since last week's revelation that the county council is considering drastic measures because of funding shortfalls, letters and e-mails have poured into the Gazette office. Many more protest comments have been posted on our website.

Readers can help our campaign by adding their names and comments to our online petition. Many visitors have already added their protests to the petition. We will publish as many comments as we can over the next few weeks, and all the names and comments will be forwarded to County Hall.

Derek Holmes, editor of the Witney Gazette, said: "Cogges Manor Farm Museum is loved by a huge number of people not just in West Oxfordshire, but across the county.

"The message we are sending to County Hall is that they should not be seeking a way to close it, but a way to ensure that the museum's future is secured for this generation and generations to come."

One appeal has come from Witney mother Claire Wells, of Chedworth Drive, who with a season ticket has been taking her two young sons to the museum at least three times a week.

On Sunday, Mrs Wells and her husband, Tim, took Alexander, three, and Nick, 17 months, to the advent weekend at Cogges.

She said: "We love the peace and quiet of the farm and enjoy getting to know the animals and taking part in the life of the farm.

"My sons have learnt a huge amount about farming in the past and enjoying a beautiful place.

"This type of living history is essential if we want to teach children in a meaningful way about the past. I feel even more strongly that we need to preserve the farm as a beautiful open space for young people to explore."

Alexander, three, said: "It is such a special place. We love Rodney and the pigs. My little brother loves chasing Charlie the Rabbit."

The county council owns the museum, but this is not the first time it has threatened closure. In 1998, with similar financial problems, West Oxfordshire District Council came to the rescue, and took over the daily management for several years, before handing it back to the county.

This week, district council leader, Barry Norton, told the Gazette that it could not happen again this time.

"My own personal view is that at this time it would be a liability. We now have our own financial constraints.

"Cogges needs to change, to be more flexible. The county took it back on the basis that they were going to have a very robust marketing exercise to get more people through the doors. I am not sure that has been done," said Mr Norton. When the district took over Cogges, it was costing about £250,000 a year to run, and was getting only half of that back in income. The loss was met by district council taxpayers.

Latest figures show that costs have risen to £340,000 a year, and visitors are down to 25,000 annually.

The need for Cogges Manor Farm - opened in 1978, and a Grade II-listed building - to change has been taken up by Gazette reader Don Chapman, of Mill Street, Eynsham.

He said: "Surely it is a case for rebranding rather than closure?"

He goes on to suggest commercial exhibitions of green products, as well as the involvement of Oxfam.

Mr Chapman said: "At a time when everybody, not least the county council, is urging us to combat global warming, it would be ironic if a reminder of a more eco-friendly age should fall victim to cost-cutting."

The museum once won the Best Family Visitor Attraction in Oxfordshire, by the Good Britain Guide.

Its value as a national, as well as local, asset has been taken up by many of our readers.

Judy Poole is a volunteer at Cogges Farm, and said the site was 'of national importance'.

She explained that about 5,000 children came each year to see traditional things, like butter making, milking of the cows, and cooking on the Victorian range.

Mrs Poole added: "The museum is a jewel in the crown of our town Witney, Oxfordshire, and of England itself.

"It is unique, and once closed, would never open again."

Jean Ansell, of Church Lane, Witney, said if the museum were to close and be sold, it would be 'shameful'. She added: "Anyone who has visited the farm knows what an asset it is to the town and what a unique and wonderful experience for both adults and children in this technology-driven world." Carla Wood, ten, a pupil at The Blake Primary School, in Cogges Hill Road, Witney, felt strongly enough to write to Oxfordshire County Council leader, Keith Mitchell. She said: "The museum is a really fun and exciting place to visit, especially in the summer, when you can go there and visit the animals. Everybody likes the Manor Farm Museum."

Support has come from another Oxfordshire visitor attraction, the Pendon Museum Trust, at Long Wittenham. Dr Charles Swaisland, vice-president, wrote to the Gazette supporting a campaign to stop closure 'as an economy measure', and possible sale of the site.

He added: "The very idea has the uncomfortable feeling about it of disposal of family silver, and we urge that the idea be dropped."

Martyn Brown, the county's heritage and arts officer, has admitted that 'the process is driven by the need to save money'.

No decision, however, on the future of Cogges, to be taken by the county council's cabinet, is expected until the new year.

* * * The flock of Cotswold sheep, managed by the museum's farm manager Nicola Walker, won second place in the recent national Best of Breed competition.

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