Canterbury Oast Trust

Canterbury Oast Trust (COT) is a registered charity[1] in England which sets up, manages and supports businesses providing work and training for people with learning disabilities in Kent and East Sussex, as well as providing homes, care and educational support.[2]

Its greatest site is the South of England Rare Breeds Centre at Woodchurch, near Ashford, Kent, which is a tourist attraction. It chiefly comprises a farm, animal sanctuary, restaurant, plant nursery and conference facility, all providing occupational opportunities for people with learning difficulties.

Other sites are:

  • Coterie Tea Rooms in Rye, East Sussex
  • Woodland management and woodcrafts businesses at Poulton Wood near Aldington, Kent
  • A college for people with learning difficulties, Harrington College.[2]

The South of England Rare Breeds Centre has displays of various farm animals, a children's petting barn, children's and toddlers play areas, discovery and wildlife gardens, walk through aviary and butterfly tunnel, falconry displays, woodland walks and the Granary Restaurant. Buildings from a Georgian farm (Yonsea Farm) are being re-located to the site as a preservation project. The Centre offers National Curriculum-based activities for visiting school groups.[3] It is one of sixteen Rare Breeds Survival Trust approved farm parks,[4] and features a variety of rare breeds. Sheep breeds include Manx Loaghtan, Jacobs, Lincoln Longwool, Wensleydales and Portlands; Pig breeds include Berkshires, British Lops, Gloucestershire Old Spots, Middle Whites and Tamworths; cattle include British Whites, Gloucesters and Beef Shorthorns; and there are also Bagot goats.[5][6] Also located at the Centre is The Falcons Centre conference facility, which as well as providing for corporate meetings, is licensed for civil marriage ceremonies and caters for events such as banquets and dances.[7] From 2008 the Centre will be the home of the annual Bilsington Craft Fair (28/29 June in 2008).[6]

Poulton Wood is a 10.2-hectare (25-acre) coppiced woodland and Local Nature Reserve renowned for its bluebells. It has free public access.[8] It adjoins Homelands, a listed building dating from the 17th century in Aldington which is used by the Canterbury Oast Trust as a residential building.[9] The wood includes Ash, Hornbeam and Oak trees. Poulton Wood Works is run by the Trust to manage the woodland, and also produces craft products, wooden furniture and offers a local tree felling service.[10]

References
  1. Charity Commission. Canterbury Oast Trust, registered charity no. 291662.
  2. Canterbury Oast Trust website accessed 21 May 2008
  3. South of England Rare Breeds Centre website accessed 21 May 2008
  4. Rare Breeds Survival Trust website Archived 24 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine accessed 21 May 2008
  5. Rare Breeds Survival Trust website - South of England page Archived 21 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine accessed 21 May 2008
  6. blog of worker at Rare Breeds Centre accessed 21 May 2008
  7. South ofd England Rare Breeds Centre website accessed 21 May 2008
  8. Rare Breeds Centre website Poulton Wood page Archived 5 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine accessed 21 May 2008
  9. Canterbury Oast Trust Homelands page Archived 20 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine accessed 21 May 2008
  10. Canterbury Oast Trust Poulton Wood page Archived 30 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine accessed 21 May 2008

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