community farms and gardens today

Community farms and gardens today20 postcards celebrating the diversity and creativity of communities growing together in their local green spaces throughout the UK.

Bradford Community Environment Project aims to contribute to the sustainable regeneration of Bradfordthrough environmental education, local food growing, green space improvements and environmental play.

FCFCG is a charity that supports, represents and promotes community-managed farms and gardens. There are currently 60 city farms, 100 school farms and over 1,000 community gardens throughout the UK.

Tel: 0117 923 1800 Email: [email protected] www.farmgarden.org.uk

A young volunteer hard at work at Windmill Hill City Farm, Bristol - established in 1976 as the first City Farmoutside London, this 4.5 acre working farm provides a huge range of activities including community gardens,children and family centre, adventure playground, café, shop, meeting rooms, computer centre, vocational andrecreational courses and support for disadvantaged people. Photo: James Barke



Bath City Farm has the most spectacular views of the city of Bath and 37 acres of land. It offers year roundopen access to the meadows, woodland, wildlife pond and farmyard. The farm provides volunteeringopportunities, particularly for disadvantaged people and an informal educational environment for children,young people and families.



The long-established Coriander Club at Spitalfields City Farm, London is renowned for growing Bangladeshivegetables. The group of Bangladeshi women meets three times a week for healthy cooking classes andgardening sessions. Photo: Sam Wadman



Culpeper Community Garden, London is a multi-prizewinning garden run and maintained by and for thebenefit of the local and wider community. Photo: Sam Wadman



Edwalton School Farm is the only primary school in England with a working farm and a three-acre woodattached to the school grounds. School farms are on the increase – the 100th School Farm opened in Spring2013.



Community farming and gardening is not just an urban activity. For example, Felin Uchaf is a charity in North

West Wales which is transforming a traditional Welsh farmhouse and its surrounding land into a vibrant visitorcentre and community enterprise.



For 30 years Gorgie City Farm has been a much-loved part of the local community in Edinburgh. Visitorscome to see a variety of animals, enjoy local produce in the café, relax in the garden, or take part in theactivities and events. Services provided include an education programme for both adults and children andvolunteering opportunities for a range of people who want to contribute to a local community project.



The Secret Garden, Swindon - the local community have renovated a disused part of a public park for thebenefit of the local community. Volunteers have created a wildlife garden, organic veg plot and events areaand there are plans for a sensory garden, raised beds and pond.



Mudchute Park and Farm is Europe’s largest city farm with over 100,000 visitors a year, providing a vitalcommunity resource and green space in the heart of East London. Photo: Sam Wadman



FCFCG has been working in recent years to develop a support network for allotments and community gardensin Northern Ireland. Eden Allotment Gardens in Carrickfergus are on a new site provided by the localauthority in response to demand for allotments from the local community.



Pumpkin harvest at St Werburghs City Farm, Bristol - a friendly working farm that offers a real taste ofcountry life in the inner city. Providing animal husbandry and horticultural training, environmental youth work,services for children, community events and more.



Acorn Farm, Merseyside was created in 1985 on 4 hectares of derelict land, which had once been a tip forbuilder’s rubble. It has since grown into an award winning visitor attraction which is home to a wide range offarm animals and has strong roots in the local community.



Stonebridge City Farm is a green oasis in the heart of inner city Nottingham. Attractions include farmanimals, an extensive and diverse range of gardens, play area, café, farm shop and nature trail. The farm alsooffers work experience and courses in horticulture and animal care.



Riverside Community Allotment, Cardiff is a community growing project where anyone can get involved. Allparticipants get a share of the produce and plenty of cups of tea.



The Hidden Gardens, Glasgow - A unique public green space dedicated to peace and communitydevelopment, located in Pollokshields, one of Scotland’s most diverse communities.



St James City Farm, Gloucester - this long established rare breeds centre in the middle of the city facedclosure in 2012 but was saved by the local community for the community. Photo: Reyia Limalia



In Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Scotswood Natural Community Garden’s beautiful ponds, native woodland,living willow arch pathways, forest and sensory gardens are open to all - schools, groups, children, familiesand volunteers.



Whitstable Umbrella group of community garden volunteers maintains three gardens for the benefit ofresidents and visitors to Whitstable.



The Amelia Trust is a working farm set in 160 acres of countryside in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan. TheTrust supports and educates vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in a therapeutic environment.Through fun and work based activities the young people are empowered to participate, learn new skills anddevelop their potential.



In the UK there are 60 city farms, 100 school farms and over 1,000community gardens. The Federation of City Farms and Community Gardenssupports and represents them. Published as part of our Learning from thepast, shaping the future project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, thisbook commemorates FCFCG’s 30th anniversary.

community farms and gardens today

Documents

community farms

city farms

community gardens

school farms

communitymanaged farms

wider community

spitalfields city farm

city of bath