Cotesbach: Ecologies of Home

Join Sophy Newton for an outside tour of Cotesbach Estate: the hall, Garden, Schoolhouse and Stable Yard.

Discover the incredible diversity of our built and natural heritage, from artefacts to ecosystems.

Hear how changing times have affected people's ways of life here over the centuries, yet how past and present still interact, creating the unique character of this place. Consider both habitat and home, and why it is important to preserve both for the future.

Displays of artefacts and documents from the archive will be on view at the CET. St Mary's Church opposite, which plays such an integral part in our history, will also be open on request.

Sturdy shoes are advised for uneven ground and wet weather conditions.

Hot drinks and food can be purchased in The Yard Cafe which sits alongside Cotesbach Educational Trust should you like refreshments before or after the tour.

Date: Friday 25th July

Time: 2-3.30pm

Price: £9 + booking fee.

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Date: Friday 29th August

Time: 2-3.30pm

Harborough and the Railways

Dr Leonard Holden takes us through the introduction of the railway to Market Harborough and the impact it had on the town. The Railway came to Market Harborough relatively late arriving in 1850 but it had an impact on the town and the region - some postive and some negative. The first line ran between Harborough and Rugby, soon to be followed by the Midland Railway line to London and a line to Northampton. The final line connected Harborough to Melton Mowbray and the wolds. Thus by the 1880s Harborough was one of the prominnent railway hubs in Leicestershire. It was at its height in the early 20th century but by the 1950s railways were being challenged by road transport and lines were closed in the 1960s leaving only one line to St Pancras today. Len's talk will explore the impact of the railway on the town and the region.

The Cotesbach Educational Trust bar will be open from 6.30pm where you will be able to by refreshments before the talk.

Date: Thursday 25th September

Time: 7-8.30pm

Price: £8 + booking fee.

Sourdough Breadmaking with Paul Raddan

Ever dreamed of making your own sourdough loaves at home? In this 3 hour session we will go through all the techniques & knowledge you will need. You will also come away with your own pot of starter, so you can begin baking sourdough straight away. Your tutor for the afternoon is Paul from Rugby Real Bread who's been teaching & enthusing about bread for over 10 years!

- No prior experience necessary
- under 12's must be accompanied by an adult
- email hello@cotesbacheducationaltrust.org.uk if you have any dietary requirements/allergies
- Please bring a tin or banneton and shower cap or large freezer bag so you can your dough to bake at home

- A jam jar or plastic tub of a similar size will be useful for your starter 
- We will have a coffee/tea break midway through the class, but please bring a snack and other drinks you may need

Date: Saturday 4th October

Time: 1-4pm

Price: £65

Training Day: Harvest Mice

Join Dr Helen O’Brien, the County Mammal Recorder for Leicestershire & Rutland to learn about the ecology of Harvest mice (Micromys minutes), an under-recorded and potentially endangered UK mammal recently introduced onto the Cotesbach Estate to help their conservation and re-establishment in south Leicestershire. Learn new skills – how to set up equipment to record these secretive creatures and search for their nests to see if they are settled in their new home.

Our afternoon session will extend to other small mammals and their ecology before a visit to the Estate and Garden to check traps and see small mammals up close. We will be joined by Dave Nicholls from NatureSpot who will show us how to record the wildlife we find. All participants will have an opportunity to check and handle small mammals if possible and to use the NatureSpot phone app - see instructions https://www.naturespot.org/app

Please bring sturdy footwear for outdoor walking and dress for the weather.

The walk from the Schoolhouse to the Estate and return will be approximately 2 miles over uneven terrain, typical of a working farm.

Date: Sunday 12th October

Time: 9am-4.30pm

Price: FREE

Witchcraft Trials in Leicestershire in the 17th Century

The talk explores two notorious witch trials took place in Leicestershire in the early 17th century. One involving nine women accused of witchcraft from Husbands Bosworth in 1616, and the other involving six women from Bottesford who had worked for the Earl of Rutland at Belvoir Castle in 1618.

Both cases were tragic and indicated the widespread ignorance and erroneous beliefs of the time. The story of these women and the outcome of their trials will be related and set in the historical context of the time.

The Cotesbach Educational Trust bar will be open from 6.30pm where you will be able to purchase refreshments before the talk.

Date: Thursday 30th October

Time: 7-8.30pm

Price: £9 + booking fee

Natural Wreath Making

Learn how to make your own festive door wreath from locally foraged materials. Unlike many other wreath classes, you will start from scratch by first making the hoop, and then decorating it with your choice of foliage and natural decorative elements. Much of the foliage is foraged from around the Cotesbach Estate.  The wreaths are biodegradable, with the exception of the wire and ribbon, which can be re-used. No experience is necessary, you will be guided through every step of the process, in a small, friendly and informal group setting. Ticket includes mulled wine or hot drink on arrival.

Dates: Monday 1st December, Tuesday 2nd December, Monday 8th December

Time: 6.30-8.30pm

Price: £38 + booking fee.