NONE of the work to transform Cogges would have been possible without the generosity of volunteers and local businesses, according to its director Colin Shone.

And the support of the public, many of whom braved the elements to turn up on Saturday, is another key element in the effort to secure Cogges’ long-term future after the county council ended its support amid spending cuts.

Mr Shone said: “It was fantastic to see so many people turn up, when you consider we had a blizzard.

“This development is a real step up for us. It’s not the end of the journey but it’s the start of major developments here which respect our past but engage which what we want to be.

“This is an important season for us and there will be lots going on right the way through it.”

When its funding was cut by the council in 2009, Cogges’ fate hung in the balance.

The manor house had been bought by the council in 1974 and opened to the public as a heritage farm museum.

The Witney Gazette backed a campaign to save the site, which led to the Cogges Heritage Trust taking over its running.

The trust then secured a lease from the council and reopened Cogges to visitors in July 2011 and began laying plans for the future.

With the backing of English Heritage, Witney Educational Fund, the county council and West Oxfordshire District Council and a number of local businesses who pledged their help – the wheels were set in motion to give Cogges a £100,000 new look.

The investment has brought new outdoor attractions, including play areas, woodland trails and even an excavated adventure moat area.

Mr Shone said: “The reason Cogges reopened was because it had the support of the community and because we all have a vested interest in keeping it open, many people also came on board with the renovations.

“It’s an incredible place and I’m proud to say that a whole of host of incredible people are currently involved in making it the kind of heritage attraction the people of Witney deserve.”

People first settled at Cogges in the Saxon period, making their livelihood on the banks of the River Windrush.

The first manor house was built in the 13th century and a farmstead developed.

Mr Shone added: “What has already been done far exceeded the money we had to spend – from repairing dry stone walls, to creating beautiful floors, thrilling play areas and even chopping back the woodland to help create the trails.

“And even though the work isn’t finished and some will be ongoing, our volunteers and local businesses have committed their goodwill to seeing it through.”

Michael Boys, owner of Boward Tree Surgery, in Oxford, has been working on Cogges’ woodland free of charge.

Mr Boys said: “There’s still a lot of work to do, and inspections have to be made, but we have made a start on removing some of the dead and diseased trees and have built some ladders into hollow trees and also some balance beams so children can use their imagination and enjoy some fun games in the woodland.”

He continued: “I suppose it would have cost about £4,000 if we had charged for the work, but we wanted to do our bit and we will be coming back to carry on the work.”

Smiths of Bletchington donated several tonnes of Cotswold stone and shingle for the farm.

And volunteers from the Eynsham-based Wychwood Project are repairing dry stone walls using traditional methods and materials.

Wychwood Project director Nick Mottram said: “There’s a great deal of dry stone walling at Cogges and while we’re not able to help with the more expert side of things, we’re able to give the walls a little TLC where it’s needed.

“Cogges is very important to us not only because of its historical value, but also as it’s a key entry point to the old Norman Wychwood hunting forest, from which we take our name, and where we also own a small meadow.”

The new play area in the entrance courtyard is being built with the support of Witney Educational Foundation and includes a bespoke climbing-frame and wooden tractor commissioned from Trevor Stewart Play Equipment, at Middle Barton.

Mr Shone said: “The refurbishment of our courtyard will make a more welcoming first impression of Cogges and a great environment for families to enjoy the cafe. And one of the most exciting elements of the work is the adventure play area at the moated area, based on the original manor house, and the timber bridge over the moat.”

The Wheat Barn is being transformed into a venue for weddings, with a new floor laid free of charge by Cooper Construction of Witney, a job that would have normally cost at least £4,000.

Director Andrew Cooper, 53, said: “My wife Sally and I love to bring our grandchildren to Cogges and the eldest, three-year-old Chloe, loves the woodland walks in particular, so we felt we really wanted to help in some way.

“When Colin told us about the changes to the barn we were very happy to send in some expert stonemasons to create a lovely floor. We’re looking forward to bringing the children along to see it.”

New illustrations on site and in Cogges’ leaflets and posters have been done for free by designers Colliss & Quinton, from Combe.

And exterior woodwork will be repainted in heritage colours, donated by Relics of Witney and the Little Greene Paint Company.

  • Cogges is open until November 3. See cogges.org.uk or call 01993 772602.