Greetings, dear friends of Vauxhall City Farm!
It’s Maple here, bringing you the latest updates from our beloved farm.
As many of you know, after years of giving joy to countless visitors, I have retired this month but before going for a well-deserved rest, I have written this newsletter to share with you the exciting events and news from the last few weeks, and give you a sneak peek into what’s coming up in July.
Some highlights from May and June 2024!
We had a marvellous weekend at the Lambeth Country Show, where the farm site was buzzing with energy. Thanks to our amazing volunteers and staff. Visitors were thrilled to meet me and my furry friends, including our much loved alpacas Cookie, Rolo, and Toffee, who enjoyed the event immensely. Activities like storytelling, face painting, and the cuddle corner were extremely popular. It was lovely to see happy faces all around to share our 21st year at the show! Thank you to everyone who popped by, and of course made a donation.
We had queues running the length of Tyers Street of people joining us for our May Spring Fair. Visitors enjoyed watching our skilled shearer in action, and learnt the process of taking the shorn wool straight to our talented spinners and watched it being spun on the spot. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn about wool spinning, wool felting and fun facts related to The Farm in the educational workshop. Finally, we revealed the winning names drawn from our Lambs Naming Competition; welcome to Rosemary, Thyme and Dill. Pop over to The Farm to see them.
Young Farmers Week was packed with fun for children aged 8-14, who experienced life on the farm, from mucking out stables to grooming goats, looking after our guinea pigs and exploring our vibrant garden. Father’s Day Weekend featured lots of farmyard fun and screenings of the Euro 2024 games.
Thank you all for your support and enthusiasm, which make Vauxhall City Farm a truly special place.
Education Updates!
The Summer months are busy here at The Farm with many schools and groups visiting us to take part in our exciting workshops and deepen their understanding of animals, food, and our natural world. We have loved welcoming so many new faces to The Farm!
This term’s Afterschool Club has just launched with our young people busy foraging in our Community Garden for different foods. Over the coming weeks they are going to be exploring the food cycle from production through to waste.
Our Saturday Young Farmers group is back and enjoying the sunshine, they have been helping around The Farm and getting to know all of our animals. Young Farmers will be back in September so keep an eye on our website to sign up for the next run.
We are busy preparing for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme funded by Lambeth, so if you are looking for a fun way for your kids to spend the summer holidays, 8 – 14 year olds can join us for a Summer of Food and Fun! We have priority spaces for families who are currently receiving support benefits. Email: Education@vauxhallcityfarm.org for more information.
Our Community Garden News!
At the end of June, we harvested onions and shallots, which are now drying and should be available for purchase by the end of July. Me and my animal friends are hoping for warmer weather in July to help ripen tasty cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers in our community garden, making them ready for sale.
Our sunflowers are growing tall, and we anticipate beautiful blooms later in the month.
Additionally, come and check out our new alternative vegetables, such as Aztec broccoli, amaranth, and tree spinach – we are excited to see how they taste. Courgettes should be ready for picking in abundance, and we expect a bumper crop of potatoes. Our dedicated team of ten volunteers will be working hard, weeding, watering, and nurturing the plants. We look forward to welcoming you to the farm!
SPECIAL EVENTS:
The Farm is thrilled to bring a range of activities and events this summer, including live sports screenings from Wimbledon tennis to the Olympics, bringing the excitement of these global events right to The Farm. But that’s not all, we have a variety of family-friendly events planned over the next few months, ensuring there is something for everyone.
Be sure to check out our events page for all the details. We can’t wait to see you at the farm!
Volunteering & Sessional Work
Our dedicated team of volunteers is the backbone of our farm, and we are always looking for enthusiastic individuals to join us. Whether you are interested in animal care, gardening, or helping with events, there is a place for you here.
Volunteering at Vauxhall City Farm offers hands-on experience for feeding, grooming, and general care for me and my animal friends.
No prior experience is necessary, as we provide training and support – just bring your passion for the farm.
We are also looking for sessional to run our education clubs and workshops that we will be hosting at The Farm over the summer, and beyond. If you are interested in working with young people and supporting the education department, Email: Education@vauxhallcityfarm.org
Support Us – Make a donation!
I am grateful for the love and care from all of you, and I am confident that you will keep supporting my furry and feathered friends to make sure that The Farm remains a place of joy and education for everyone.
Thank you all for your support and for making my time at The Farm so special. Make sure to visit The Farm this summer to enjoy everything Vauxhall City Farm has to offer.
With love,
Maple the Sheep
Don’t forget we have two purpose-built meetings room adjacent to our café, which are perfect for meetings, parties, and events.
Please see our website for full details, give us a call or contact our office team with any questions.
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