The United Kingdom is set to welcome its first Micro Tanners Conference in June 2026 at Great Cotmarsh Farm in Wiltshire. The three day event from 15 to 17 June will bring together tanners, artisans and leather enthusiasts to explore the future of small scale vegetable tanning.
The conference is the vision of James and Katie who run Cotmarsh Tannery, a not for profit Community Interest Company based on their farm.
After a decade of grazing livestock they bought Great Cotmarsh Farm in 2023 to create a base for their conservation grazing projects and new ventures.
One of their biggest projects has been to build a micro vegetable tannery producing high provenance leather from cattle hides.
Katie already runs a successful business making high end garments from wool and sheepskins under the brand Katie Cotmarsh.
Cotmarsh Tannery has three main goals. First is to produce fully traceable vegetable tanned cow leather aimed at small brands, artisan workers and makers. This also gives farmers an extra income stream from their cattle.
Second is to provide an educational experience for students and visitors about natural fibres like leather, wool and botanical dyes. Workshops for fashion students have already begun and a classroom is being built to expand the program.
Third is to support other micro tanneries by offering hands on learning, apprenticeships and shared access to costly equipment like fleshing machines that can otherwise block entry to the craft.
The Micro Tanners Conference 2026 will feature talks, panel discussions and tours of the farm and tannery.
The event will highlight the revival of heritage vegetable tanning, traceability of leather and the growth of the local fibre movement. It will also address the commercial viability of micro tanneries and where the industry is heading next.
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