Classes and Events
Introduction to Organic Gardening with John Noble
Join the team at Cotesbach organic garden for an introduction to organic gardening principles and practices. How we grow our food is important for our health, and the health of our planet. If you are interested in growing healthy food without unnecessary chemicals, but don't know where to start, then this course is for you....
Find out more »Sourdough Breadmaking with Paul Raddan
Sourdough breadmaking with master bread baker Paul Raddan of Rugby Real Bread. Sourdough is slow-fermented bread that does not require commercial yeast in order to rise as it uses 'wild' yeasts. We will make a wheat sourdough and a flavoursome dark rye and spelt bread. Learn all the techniques to produce your own sourdough loaves...
Find out more »Heritage Open Days 2022
It's great to open up again for the ever-popular Heritage Open Days after an enforced break due to Covid. We will post more details and booking links nearer the time, but for now, put the date in your diary! You will be able to book a tour of parts of historic Cotesbach Hall, which has...
Find out more »Composting for beginners with John Noble
Everything you always wanted to know about composting but were afraid to ask! Learn how to turn your kitchen waste into black gold! Home composting is the most environmentally-friendly way of dealing with kitchen and garden waste, plus it produces compost that can be used as an excellent soil improver. Join john as he talks...
Find out more »Seed Saving with John Noble
Seed saving is a great way to cultivate and increase varieties in your garden in the cheapest way possible and it is also the best way to protect endangered varieties and heritage plants. Join John for an introduction to the fascinating and rewarding topic of seed saving. Learn why, when and how we save seed...
Find out more »Heritage Open Days 2022
It's great to open up again for the ever-popular Heritage Open Days after an enforced break due to Covid. We will post more details and booking links nearer the time, but for now, put the date in your diary! You will be able to book a tour of parts of historic Cotesbach Hall, which has...
Find out more »Orchard Wassailing
Join us for some traditional singing, cider and storytelling, in the heritage orchard of historic Cotesbach Hall, as the finale to our Apple Day celebrations. Dress up warm for a night of folklore stories, songs and mulled cider. Bring along a drum or tambourine, pots pans and spoons, or anything that makes a noise as...
Find out more »Apple Tree Pruning with Jody Cornfield
Formative and winter fruit-tree pruning course, with a focus on Apple trees. Suitable for beginners onwards. The class will take place in the heritage orchard of Cotesbach Organic Gardens, which has many local and old varieties of apple trees. On this course you will learn the theory behind why we prune; health benefits to the...
Find out more »Please do not attend if you have any symptoms of coronavirus; have tested positive for coronavirus. If you are unable to attend a class or event due to COVID-19, you will be offered a full refund providing we have a minimum of 48 hours notice.
Past Events
Scroll to the bottom of the page to find our archive of past events and programmes.
Railway Weekend
Ride a vintage Midland Red bus from Lutterworth to Cotesbach as part of Lutterworth Railway Society's 50th birthday celebrations. There will be a model railway display and classic buses and coaches on show at Lutterworth Sports Centre where you can hop on a bus and visit us! We will have displays of railway-related material from our...
Find out more »Traditional Austrian Scything with Nicole Clough
This one day course is designed to introduce the attendee to using and looking after an Austrian scythe. The course is suitable for a range of experience levels, from complete beginners to those who have been using a scythe but feel that it could be working better for them. The course covers: • Setting up...
Find out more »Weave your own Garden Obelisks and Plant Climbers with Maggie Cooper
Make your own garden structures for climbing plants using natural materials. Expert weaver Maggie Cooper will show you step by step how to use traditional weaving techniques to make garden obelisks, sculpture or plant-climbers using a variety of natural materials. Course fee includes all materials and a delicious lunch from The Yard Cafe (a hand-made...
Find out more »Dawn Chorus Walk with Gavin Bennett
Join us for an early morning walk, and immerse yourself in the joyful sounds of bird song, as the dawn chorus reaches its peak. From March to July the dawn chorus can be heard as birds defend their territories and sing to attract a mate. Ornithology expert Gavin Bennett will teach you to identify different...
Find out more »Wild Food Foraging Walk with John Noble
Join expert forager John as he guides you through hedgerows and meadows, in search of nature's free food. Learn how to identify edible plants (and what to avoid) and find out what's available seasonally. Tickets from Eventbrite (booking fee applies) click here
Find out more »Wild Food Foraging Walk with John Noble
Join expert forager John as he guides you through hedgerows and meadows, in search of nature's free food. Learn how to identify edible plants (and what to avoid) and find out what's available seasonally. Tickets from Eventbrite (booking fee applies) click here
Find out more »Sourdough Breadmaking with Paul Raddan
Sourdough breadmaking with master bread baker Paul Raddan of Rugby Real Bread. Sourdough is slow-fermented bread that does not require commercial yeast in order to rise as it uses 'wild' yeasts. We will make a wheat sourdough and a flavoursome dark rye and spelt bread. Learn all the techniques to produce your own sourdough loaves...
Find out more »Basket Weaving with Maggie Cooper
Make your own beautiful hedgerow basket from natural materials in a variety of colours. Learn how to weave a traditional basket, making use of the decorative colours of different willow varieties. A place on this day course would be a great gift to give someone who loves crafting, or you could make a basket to...
Find out more »Natural Bee Keeping with John Noble
This class is for you if you love bees! Natural beekeeping puts the welfare of the bees first, and our desire for honey second! An introduction to the fascinating world of natural beekeeping. Learn about the honey bees natural cycles and how following a more bee-centred approach to apiculture may benefit both the bees and...
Find out more »Some Antics Comedy Night – Leicester Comedy Festival
Some-Antics is Leicester's third best poetry night and will be bringing some of the East Midlands' finest comedy acts to Cotesbach Educational Trust as part of Leicester Comedy Festival. Not to be missed!
Find out more »Spoon Carving with Tom Jennings
Carve your own spoon in a day from green wood, and learn about the tools and techniques that you can use to create a variety of shapes. This course offers an introduction to woodcarving with craftsman Tom Jennings. You will be guided step by step through the entire process of crafting your own beautiful eating...
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