Cotmarsh Tannery CIC

In late 2021 we bought Great Cotmarsh Farm after over 7 years of owning livestock and being graziers in The Cotswold. The farm has given us an opportunity to do more than just have a secure base for the livestock. One of the main projects is to build a Micro Veg Tannery for producing high provenance leather from cattle hides.

We have always farmed with nature at the heart of what we do, having always used our rare breed livestock for conservation grazing. When not conservation grazing species rich grasslands we practice tall grass regenerative grazing to help boost soil health and biodiversity.

When we bought the farm James started looking into the viability of setting up an a traditional veg tannery to produce high quality leather from cattle hides, with the support of a South West Fibreshed grant. Katie has been producing high end garments from the wool off the sheep for years with a successful business, Katie Cotmarsh, as well as having sheepskins made. A tannery would complete the fibre story.

So Cotmarsh Tannery was created as a not for profit Community Interest Company (CIC). The objective of the tannery is threefold:

1. Produce high quality, fully traceable (down to the individual cow) veg tanned cow leather. This leather will be aimed at small brands, artisan leather workers and makers, and as farmer returns, enabling farmers to generate another income stream from their cattle enterprise.
2. To be part of the field to fibre story and educational experience we are building on the farm, to promote natural fibres, including veg tanned leather and wool, and botanical dyes. We have launched a workshop for fashion students on the farm, which will expose students to the very beginning of the fashion supply chain and help them forge a deeper connection between nature and our clothes. By seeing in practice how leather, wool and botanical dyes can be grown within a sustainable farming system in the UK, students will be able to understand how meaningful relationships with the land and the farmers who grow our food and fibre, can enable a healthy more sustainable model for fashion. We are building a classroom on the farm to develop this programme further.
3. To support the creation of other micro tanneries. The tannery will be open to anyone who wants to set up their own micro tannery to get hands on learning by spending short periods of time as interns or as an apprentice for longer durations. The tannery will act as a regional hub for other tanners to allow the sharing of equipment e.g. a fleshing machine. These expensive machines are a barrier to entry for micro tanneries so other tanners can either hire them for the day or the tannery will offer a fleshing service.

Churchill Fellowship

In 2023 James was successful in applying for a Churchill Fellowship travel scholarship. Details of the travel scholarship and a blog from his travels in March, September and November 2024 can be found here...