There can’t be many people who have not enjoyed the delights of Cogges Farm Museum at Witney.

As it proudly boasts on its publicity page, it has “a beautiful Manor House, walled kitchen garden, orchard, adventure play, friendly animal residents and 17 acres of open space to enjoy”.

Picture 1 dates from 1984 when Bob Penrice showed visitors a talent he had developed from his interest in beekeeping.

READ MORE: Parents angry over school's data breach 

He made candles from their wax and had become so expert at the art that his candles had won prizes in several competitions.

Poet Pam Ayres is seen in Picture 2 alongside McDuff, owned by Winifred and Susan Ellis, at a country fair at the farm in 1986.

Oxford Mail: She presented rosettes to riders who took part in a horse driving display.

There was something for everyone at the fair, including a sheep dog display, barrel racing, a stilt walker, cowboy rope and gun tricks, morris dancers, Witney Town Band and the Myers family handbell ringers.

The Boy Scouts in Picture 3 were learning old farming techniques, including how to hang sacks on a threshing box.

They were from the 10th Marston pack in Oxford and were being shown the skill by former Marston Scout Nigel Heath, who was then working as an engineer.

Mabel the donkey was centrepiece in Picture 4 – Bob Morris was showing visitors how he harnessed her.

Rural crafts from spinning to saddlery were on show as part of a programme organised by Oxfordshire Young Farmers.

Visitors had a wide choice of events to watch, including blacksmithing, lace making, thatching, dry stonewalling and pony and trap driving.

READ MORE: Demolished community centre is remembered 

Members of Witney Women’s Institute were on duty in the farmhouse kitchen displaying their skills at country cookery.

In Picture 5, Eileen Wilson was showing four-year-old Helen Cross, of Westfield Way, Wantage, and other children how to make a cake. The restored Edwardian farmhouse was a hive of activity in 1986, with demonstrations recalling traditional rural practices. The Windrush Bowmen displayed their skills with the bow and arrow, and blacksmith Fred Harris stoked up a fire to demonstrate his iron work expertise.

Oxford Mail: The horse in Picture 6 is seen receiving attention from museum workers Erin O’Brien, centre, and Alice Messenger in 2008.

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe 

As a digital subscriber you will get: 

  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website 
  • Advert-light access 
  • Reader rewards 
  • Full access to our app 

About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.