Club Meeting 2nd September 2024

In the picture: Guest speaker, Christian Walker from the National Trust, with Club President Steve Davison and Rotarian David Dukes.

Christian Walker is the General Manager of the National Trust's Heritage and Rural Skills Centre on the Buscot and Coleshill Estate, Coleshill, SN6 7PT. It opened to the public on 19th May 2023.

The National Trust says that traditional building techniques and rural crafts are in decline all across the UK. Consequently there is an increasing skills shortage within the conservation sector; knowledge is being lost and the Country's heritage structures are at risk.  At Coleshill The National Trust is aiming to reverse this trend by sharing and developing heritage conservation skills by means of beginners’ courses, spaces for local groups, and rental units for professional craftspeople seeking a creative community environment.

The ambition is to train people to use Heritage Skills and there are many courses available – details of the courses can be seen on the National Trust website. They are starting to set up exhibitions and events. A lot of ladders have been found so there is a Ladder Museum!! The National Trust has partnered with several charities: Raw Workshop, Future Trees Trust and the local Highworth Community Shed to name a few. There is no government funding but local organisations and families are very generous and the income from the courses and rentals help.

Coleshill House burnt down in 1952 and was demolished. The only items that remain from the House are a large ladder and some marble and stone. The farm sheds on the estate were full of various items most of which have been re-used, sold or kept. The many buildings, some derelict, are being renovated and used for courses, a café and school education. Some of them are being rented out to individuals.

Rotarian David Dukes articulated members’ thanks to Christian for coming and everyone agreed that his offer for us to tour the Centre would be very interesting – including a Café visit as well of course!!!

Website: National Trust heritage and rural skills centre