Hello, lovely friends of Vauxhall City Farm! It is Dill the Lamb here, your woolly correspondent for this month’s newsletter! You may have seen me busy frolicking in the farm or nibbling on the tastiest grass in the outside paddock, today I have set my hooves to work so I can bring you all the latest news.
We have had a baa-rilliant time this month, and there is even more excitement on the horizon for September!
Some highlights from August 2024!
In August, we were delighted to welcome 6,711 visitors at The Farm, with an additional 1,904 people joining us for Family Farm Day in Covent Garden.
Despite being the hottest day of the year our Family Farm Day in Covent Garden was a great success as we brought a taste of The Farm north of the river for one day only! Families flocked to meet my furry friends, attend our education workshops, enjoy story time sessions, buy fruit and veggies grown at The Farm, and much more. It was wonderful seeing so many smiling faces learning about us. Thank you Westminster Council and all the volunteers for your support.
Back at The Farm, we hosted the Ultimate Summer Party, and what a celebration it was! Families enjoyed our Summer Trail, Carnival Headdress crafting and Kids Film Club all set to the backdrop of live music, everyone had a fantastic time. Thank you Vauxhall One for your support.
Meanwhile, our Vauxhall City Summer programme is coming to an end this week. Read on to the Education section for more details. Thank you Lambeth council for your support.
It was a month full of fun, laughter, and community spirit. A huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported us. Continue reading to find out what September has in store!
A HUGE THANK YOU TO: BERKELEY FOUNDATION
A message from Glen Walker – Chair Designate, Vauxhall City Farm
Vauxhall City Farm is one of the oldest city farms in London, serving as a vital community resource, particularly for families living nearby who are on low incomes and have limited opportunities to connect with nature. Our farm provides a space for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience nature, improving their health, well-being, and life chances.
Since 2015, the Farm has received vital funds in support through staff fundraising, our partnership as a local Community Partner charity, Give As You Earn donations, and matched funding from the Berkeley Foundation. This incredible support has allowed The Farm not only to thrive during challenging times, such as the pandemic, but also to extend our reach to disadvantaged communities.
None of this would have been possible without you—our supporters. As we enter the final year of being your community partner charity, I want to express my deepest gratitude for everything you and the Berkeley Foundation have done to support us. Thank you for being a part of our journey. We hope we can continue to explore opportunities to work together, whether through volunteering, fundraising, or other collaborative efforts.
Here is a photo of the Berkeley Foundation Team during their Thames Path Challenge
in support of Vauxhall City Farm:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Join the Herd!
EXCITING NEWS! We have introduced a new monthly donation package where you can support The Farm for just £10 a month, and in return, we have got some exclusive goodies just for you!
Your support, no matter how small, goes a long way to preserve and protect The Farm for future generations to enjoy.
MORE DETAILS!
The Arena
If you are after a cracking spot for your event, The Arena at Vauxhall City Farm is the perfect spot for you. Just a short stroll from Vauxhall station, it is easy to get to from central London or beyond.
Whether you are planning a wedding reception, a live show, a corporate summer party, or even a film shoot, we have got you covered.
Full details are on our website HERE.
Room Hire: AUTUMN PROMOTION!
We have three wonderful spaces for hire which are suitable for a multitude of events. Better still, as of the 1st September we are running a special rate promotion.
If you are planning a corporate meeting, need an audition space, or want to host a yoga class, The Farm is the perfect spot whatever your requirements!
Full details, room specs and new rates HERE.
Paralympic Games 2024
Join us at The Farm for FREE screenings of the Paralympic Games 2024!
Experience the excitement of the Games on our big TV screen and cheer on your favourite athletes with fellow sports enthusiasts.
Wednesday, 28th August – Sunday, 8th September in our Old Dairy Cafe.
No need to book, just turn up!
MORE DETAILS!
Our Community Garden News!
September has arrived and we still have plenty of delicious produce for you to enjoy. We have been busy harvesting and have a steady supply of cucumbers, tomatoes, courgettes, and beans ready for your basket. And do not forget to see our lovely gardener for some freshly picked lettuce, spinach, chard, and the Aztec broccoli. Our orchard is very new, but we hope to have some delicious Farm-grown apples soon.
But wait, there is more! We will be planting potatoes in September, ready to dig up in December. We will also plant onions into the ground – to be harvested in the spring! On Friday 27th September our grapes will be harvested as part of the Urban Wine Harvest, where they will be transformed into wine which you will see at The Farm next Summer!
Our amazing corporate volunteers have been busy getting The Hide into tip-top shape! So far they have removed old decking, upcycled the wood to create a fence around the pond and landscaped a brand-new path. We hope to have this open to the visitors before the end of the year! Thank you to volunteers from Goldman Sachs and Gardiner & Theobald for all your hard work.
Gardening Clubs!
New dates added! We are excited to open our garden gate for all those who have an interest in gardening or are simply looking to connect with nature in a meaningful way.
Community Gardeners (For 18+):
4th & 18th September 1.30pm – 3.30pm
LGBTQ+ Gardening Group (For 18+):
7th & 21st September 11am – 1pm
These are FREE drop-in sessions, no need to book, just turn up!
Education Updates!
We have had a brilliant summer, welcoming 45 children to our holiday programme, Vauxhall City Summer. Together, we travelled through 15 different countries on our Olympics Path to Paris adventure. The programme will finish on Friday, 30th August with a grand celebration of all things Parisian! A heartfelt thank you to all our staff who supported the children throughout this time, especially our fantastic volunteers from Fight for Change.
We are excited for September and have big plans for the new academic year; Young Farmers, Afterschool Club and our brand new project for ages 14 – 16, Youth Innovators.
Join us for the Autumn Term 1 of Young Farmers to learn all about animal welfare and how to care for us and our animal friends, great and small. Also discover the importance of wildlife and plants on The Farm in exciting workshops.
Every Saturday from 14th September – 19th October (9.00am – 11.30am). For ages 8 – 14.
MORE DETAILS!
We are also excited to welcome our new group of the Afterschool Club to The Farm! Join us for the FREE 6 week programme focusing on Project Based Learning to support and empower the young people of Lambeth! For ages 8-12 starting in September, 4pm–6pm. Registration will open soon. Please email education@vauxhallcityfarm.org for more information.
At The Farm, we aim to support children and disadvantaged young people by helping them build confidence and raise their aspirations. We focus on nurturing personal growth, along with social and practical skills, all while encouraging a deeper understanding of the environment. Vauxhall City Farm is a fantastic place for young people of all backgrounds to explore and thrive!
Get involved with The Farm – by volunteering!
We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers to join our flock. Whether you love animals, gardening, or enjoy helping with events, there is something for everyone!
Volunteering is a fantastic way to learn new skills, meet new people, and, of course, spend time with me and my farm friends.
We rely on our amazing volunteers to help with everything from feeding and caring for us animals to keeping the farm looking its best.
That’s all for now, thank you for your support and I hope to see ewe soon at The Farm!
Dill, the lamb
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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