Vauxhall City Farm Explained

Vauxhall City Farm
Photo Width:300
Type:City Farm
Location:Vauxhall, London
Map:Greater London
Map Width:300
Coords:51.4871°N -0.1191°W
Status:Open year round
Website:https://vauxhallcityfarm.org/

Vauxhall City Farm is a city farm located in Vauxhall in the London Borough of Lambeth. The farm is run as a charity focusing on education, youth work, animal care and horticulture[1] and is a centre for Riding for the Disabled Association.

History

Vauxhall City Farm was founded in 1977 as Jubilee City Farm by a group of architects squatting at St Oswald's Place, following large-scale demolitions in the neighbourhood between 1972 and 1976.[2]

The farm contains animals such as alpacas, sheep, goats and pigs which are used for the farm's education and youth work as well as for filming and photo-shoots.[3] The farm's pigs have appeared on the Alan Titchmarsh Show[4] and the goats were used to graze a meadow on the roof of the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank in 2013.[5] [6] In April 2009 BBC London's 'Farmyard Cam' streamed live footage of the sheep at the farm.[7]

In October 2013, Vauxhall City Farm was approved for planning permission to provide a major overhaul of the farm alongside new affordable housing.[8] [9] In 2013, the farm was also granted a fund from Sport England and The National Lottery to build three new stables.[10]

Projects and services

Entrance to the farm is free, and there is a cafe and gift shop.[11]

The farm operates a therapy riding centre as well as youth and animal projects. Former riders at the farm include Sam Martin,[12] who trained to take part in the 2016 Summer Olympics. In November 2011 the farm offered twenty London families free riding lessons run by European Dressage Championship gold medalist Emile Faurie.[13] [14] It also hosts a group of Spinners who make yarn from the wool of the sheep and alpacas using dyes cultivated from vegetables and plants grown on the site.[15] [16]

The farm's riding school offers lessons for people with disabilities,[17] while children can “own a pony” during school holidays to learn how to muck them out and ride them. A scheme with local schools and nurseries allows children to watch chicks hatch in their classrooms.[18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Charity overview. Charity Commission for England and Wales. 15 November 2013.
  2. Web site: About Us. Vauxhall City Farm. 15 November 2013.
  3. Web site: What We Offer. Vauxhall City Farm. 15 November 2013.
  4. Web site: Our Family. Vauxhall City Farm. 15 November 2013.
  5. News: Goats cut grass along the South Bank. 20 October 2013. ITV News. 15 November 2013.
  6. News: PICTURES: Grazing goats grace South Bank roof. 19 October 2013. London24. 15 November 2013.
  7. News: BBC London's Farmyard Cam. 17 April 2009. BBC Online. 15 November 2013.
  8. Web site: Overhaul of Vauxhall City Farm mooted. Thompson. Max. 17 October 2013. Architects Journal. 15 November 2013.
  9. Web site: Skyscraper developer to farm out 'affordable housing' to Vauxhall City Farm?. 6 July 2013. The Vauxhall Society. 15 November 2013.
  10. Web site: Vauxhall City Farm riding centre gets funding boost. Mathieson. Amy. 6 September 2013. Horse & Hound. 15 November 2013.
  11. Web site: Take the kids to … Vauxhall City Farm, London. Boulter. Liz. 30 March 2018. The Guardian. en. 15 August 2018.
  12. News: Gang boy escapes streets to become Olympic hope. Douglas. Hilary. 9 June 2013. Daily Express. 15 November 2013.
  13. Web site: Central London families muck in with Emile Faurie at Vauxhall City Farm. 14 November 2011. British Equestrian Federation. 15 November 2013.
  14. Web site: Central London Families Muck in with Emile Faurie at Vauxhall City Farm. 7 November 2013. Eurodressage. 15 November 2013.
  15. Web site: Exhibitor biography's - Queen's Gardens. Fashion Capital. 15 November 2013.
  16. Web site: Beer, bread and threads: cottage industries grow in the city. Babbs. Helen. 17 February 2012. The City Planter. 15 November 2013.
  17. Web site: RDA Groups. Riding for the Disabled Association. 15 November 2013.
  18. News: The 7 best city farms in London. Evening Standard. 16 August 2018. en-GB.

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