Cousland Smiddy
  • Home
  • Visit Us
  • Get Involved
  • Funders
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Blacksmith
  • Contact
  • Events

Restoration works to begin at Cousland Smiddy

1/24/2020

 

By the time this is read, villagers might have already noticed that building works have started at The Smiddy. Funded by Tyne Esk Leader and Historic Environments Scotland the chimney, windows & doors and interior sleeper flooring are amongst the restorations taking place. Over the next 2 months there will be strictly no through route for vehicles past the front of the smiddy buildings. Access to the plots will be advised by Keith.
This is a very exciting project for the Smiddy & Hub, ensuring the survival of the fabric and the viability of the working forge for generations to come.
​
The Smiddy & Hub re-open to the public on a programme of Open Days from May – September.
Blacksmith Sean will still be operating at the forge as much as possible throughout but if you need to contact him, his details are on the smiddy website.  

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Cousland Smiddy.....

12/2/2019

 
Blacksmith Sean has been creating unique decorations & gifts featuring horsehoes............on sale at Tynewater School Fair on Saturday 7th December or from the forge on Saturdays.

Local History Project Meeting Saturday 9th November

11/7/2019

 
https://www.facebook.com/events/562182887850909/

Cousland 2020 Calendar now available to buy

10/30/2019

 
Picture
With this lovely calendar you will be able to remember the Milday ponies in the village for another whole year!
Packed full of Cousland locations, in every season - a great gift or for yourself! 
On sale at Cousland Post Office, Village Cafe from this Saturday
​or by emailing [email protected].  £4.50 each.

Introducing our New Tenant at Cousland Smiddy

10/23/2019

 
Picture
Picture
Cousland Smiddy Trust are delighted to announce that last night we held 'the ceremony of the keys' passing the tenancy of Cousland Smiddy forge to Sean Broadfoot, farrier and blacksmith. Sean's tenancy begins on 1st November so you will probably see him around before then so say hello & Welcome to Cousland.                                                    Sean says " I’m extremely honoured and Proud to say that I’ll now be working out of Cousland smiddy. A historic Scotland building which dates back to 1703. My plan is to start making shoes again and make some decorative iron work. And hopefully inspire somebody to get into farriery or blacksmithing through the open days that we’ll be having.".  Seans contact details will be posted on our Blacksmith tab once he is ensconced.

Doors Open Success

9/25/2019

 
We had a wonderful, if a tad breezy day at Doors Open 14th September. Welcoming over 150 visitors throughout the day, squeezing over 50 into the 2 fascinating talks by Dr Alison Sheridan, ( watch this space for more on this!) and our 2 guest blacksmiths Juliette & Maisie turning on the expertise at the forge - not to mention fabulous teas & lunches & produce to buy , all made for a really great event. Lots of super feedback from visitors who came from far and wide - including Japan!  We were all exhausted but enjoyed the day as much as the visitors. Massive thanks to everyone who helped out before, on the day and after, not even going to try to name you all, it is much appreciated!
Picture
Picture

Join us for Doors Open Day 14th September 2019

8/28/2019

 
Picture
Trip Advisor visitor review 5***** August 2019


"A hidden treasure with cart loads of history"

Wartime in a rural community

To commemorate 80 years since the start of World War II and how it affected life in a country village there will be displays showing how residents coped and what they did to help the war effort.  Using the actual words of villagers drawn from oral history projects and BBC broadcasts, the exhibition will reveal how wartime brought the community together.


There will also be demonstrations of Blacksmithing throughout the day in the 300 year old forge.


Talk
As part of East Lothian Archaeology Fortnight, Dr Alison Sheridan of National Museum of Scotland, will present a talk about 2300 BC Early Bronze age skeletons discovered in Cousland over 100 years ago: 11.30 hrs and 13.30 hrs lasting 35 minutes on a first come basis.


Soup, refreshments and cakes available all day, and local produce for sale.  
http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/places/midlothian/cousland-smiddy-and-heritage-hub/

18th century Heritage enhanced by 21st Century Tech at last!

7/24/2019

 
Picture
Today the lovely folks at Lothian Broadband brought us right up to date by donating & installing a new, fast broadband system in the cottage, along with the rental. It will help immensely with our work to preserve & document the smiddy & village history, and enable it to be easily shared with other archives and stored securely in digital format for generations to enjoy in the future. Great swift & neat job lads, taking great care with the listed status of the buildings - thanks!

https://www.lothianbroadband.com/

Southfield diaries book can be viewed at Cousland Post Office and orders placed there from today.

7/19/2019

 

The Mercer Diaries now available in Print

7/14/2019

 
We are delighted and pleased to announce that, following fantastic and positive reaction to our publication of the Mercer diaries at Dalkeith Show yesterday, we are now making this available for purchase as a printed version. 

With 221 pages of fascinating insight into farming in Midlothian over 100 years ago, the cost is a remarkable £9.00 per copy for collection from Cousland Local History Project. Postage in the UK will be £2.50.

Please contact [email protected] to place your order with us. We will make them available as soon as we can and will advise delivery date.

Downloading the.pdf  version will enable checking of family names & locations before you purchase a reading copy to savour with a wee glass on a winters night!

<<Previous
Forward>>

    Archives

    August 2023
    January 2023
    June 2022
    September 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    August 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Design by Tom Morrow Solutions & Sheena Irving