A TRUST which runs a manor house in Oxfordshire will embark on a £1m historical project thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Cogges Heritage Trust, which runs Cogges Manor Farm in Witney, has received initial support from HLF for its ‘Cogges: 1,000 Years Plus’ project to showcase the venue’s history.

Over the next 12 months, the trust will use initial funding of £152,804 to develop its plans to create extra learning space to increase its current schools and adult learning programmes and to improve facilities for visitors and volunteers.

The whole project, with a further grant of £902,100 from the HLF and funds that will need to be raised by Cogges, will be completed by spring 2019.

Judy Niner, chairwoman of the trust, said: “This is a fantastic show of support for Cogges and a reflection of the commitment of volunteers, staff and visitors since the trust took over the running of Cogges in 2011. The next few years will be very exciting.”

Explaining the importance of the HLF support, Oluwaseun Soyemi, senior grants officer said: “Cogges Manor Farm is a valued heritage site which is very much at the centre of its community.

“We are delighted to support a project that will bring its heritage to the fore and provide greater insight into the history of Witney and rural West Oxfordshire.”

Cogges appears in the Domesday Book and its history runs hand-in-hand with that of Witney and West Oxfordshire. It continues to play a vital role in supporting the community and economy.

Cogges Manor Farm in Witney is supported by more than 180 volunteers.

The venue welcomes about 50,000 visitors a year