Genesis is working in partnership with Hestercombe Gardens, the historic country gardens in Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton, with its unique collection of three period gardens and buildings spanning three centuries of garden history and design.
This year work has begun on the restoration of Hestercombe's historic Mill and Old Barn. Due for a swift restoration with completion set for early 2010, this provides the site for this unique partnership educational venture. A programme of courses and activities will be available from November.
Specialising in regeneration of older historic buildings, Genesis has nationally recognised experience in sustainable construction education. At Hestercombe it will provide education and training opportunities around heritage and building regeneration and will offer courses in traditional construction, energy efficiency in older buildings and heritage skills.
The 18th century water wheel that once powered the estate will be converted to use again and will power the new education centre.
It will be a launch pad for studying renewable energy then and now, with exploration of technologies today and lessons that can be learnt from some of the simple fundamentals of the past.
The 17th century barn is constructed of cob, the earth based material, and still popular today with over 500,000 buildings in the UK made from variations on cob. Courses will focus on lessons learnt through the restoration, materials used, legislative requirements, blending the new with the old, considerations on a historic site and practical building skills required.
Part of Somerset College's Foundation Degree in Heritage and Sustainable Construction, starting in September 09 will be taught at Hestercombe through Genesis
As well as the education centre, Genesis at Hestercombe's facilities will include restrooms and a seasonal tea garden providing a versatile and picturesque venue right at the heart of the historic landscape with beautiful views directly into the Hestercombe woods.
Hestercombe's restoration to famous garden designer Gertrude Jekyll's original plans (1904-07) have made it "one of the best Jekyll-Lutyens gardens open to the public on a regular basis", visited by approximately 70,000 people per year. The estate is Grade I listed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. Hestercombe already has collaboration with the University of Bristol, a leading international research university, with the Institute for Garden and Landscape History.
Hestercombe also includes a 0.08 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Somerset, notified in 2000. The site is used as a roost site by Lesser Horseshoe Bats.
The Genesis Hestercombe partnership events and courses start IN 2009. There will be the opportunity for site visits and educational tours beforehand. For information on courses, events and other partnership activities visit courses, news and events.