Stonebridge City Farm

Stonebridge City Farm is an urban farm in St Ann's, Nottingham, England. Created in 1980, it is relatively small in size, being sited in an area of regeneration, on the footprint of a school and grounds that was originally planned to have been built there.

Stonebridge City Farm
MottoA slice of the country in the heart of the city
LocationSt Ann's, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
Nearest cityNottingham
Coordinates52°57′27″N 1°08′03″W
Created1978 (1978)
Managed byPeter Armitage
Open10am to 4pm
Farm logo
Websitewww.stonebridgecityfarm.com

Overview

The farm is a community facility with gardens, wild green space, farm animals, a café, shop, a play area for children, toilets, hand washing facilities and a barn. It is a registered charity,[1] hosts educational visits and work experience,[2][3] is run entirely on grants and donations, and has staff and volunteers.[4][5][6] In January 2020, local Police donated equipment confiscated from drugs crime for use on the Farm, including fertiliser, tools and hardware.[7][8]

History

The St. Ann's area of Nottingham underwent a great deal of slum clearance starting in the 1960s and 1970s, making way for more-modern council housing. Although much of the area was regenerated, a school that was planned for the site was cancelled and the land became derelict. Urban farms had started to appear in the Netherlands, and in 1977 started to be discussed for this site. By 17 August 1978 a lease was signed, and a barn erected in May 1980.[9]

Gardens

The farm has a number of areas of cultivation, from orchards and greenhouses to more formal gardens and wild spaces. Fruit and vegetables grown there are used in the kitchens of the on-site café, or sold either in the shop or a stall on the nearby Sneinton Market. Bees are also kept, both as pollinators and to harvest their honey.

The gardens have won a number of awards, such as the Civic Trust "Green Flag" award (national standard for parks)[10] and the Royal Horticultural Society/Nottingham in Bloom Gold Medal.

Animals
Livestock

A number of animals of many different sizes are kept. Although these change over time – the farm rescues unwanted animals – rare breed pigs, cows, goats, sheep, Shetland ponies and donkeys are usually to be seen in the paddocks around the farm. A large number of chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese are kept, partly for the eggs they provide. There are also smaller animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits, which may be handled by the public and an aviary of exotic birds (which may not).[11][5][12][13][4]

Wildlife

The farm is also surrounded by trees and shrubs, which attract wild birds. Events such as the RSPB "Feed the Birds Day" are often staffed by members of the local RSPB group. There are also other wildlife events such as pond dipping held there.

Education and work experience

The farm encourages school visits so that urban children can learn about farm life.[14] It offers courses on beekeeping and gardening, placements for students studying animal-related courses, and supports people with special needs.[4][3] As well as working outdoors, it has an education building with a purpose-built classroom. The farm hosts a work club for over-18s.[2]

References
  1. Data for financial year ending 31 March 2019 charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 January 2020
  2. Work Clubs in Area 6 nottinghamcity.gov.uk, Retrieved 15 January 2020
  3. Supported placement programme over one or more days each week, for adults with disabilities Transition: leaving school, moving to adult services. nottinghamshire.gov.uk Retrieved 15 January 2020
  4. Stonebridge City Farm's urgent appeal raises £12k in under a week Nottinghamshire Live, 13 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2020
  5. Behind the scenes of Stonebridge City Farm where every animal has a name Nottinghamshire Live, 12 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020
  6. Volunteering "NTU Catering regularly provide staff volunteers who visit Stonebridge Community Farm in Nottingham to help maintain the grounds and care for the free range animals." Nottingham Trent University. Retrieved 15 January 2020
  7. Police drug support team donates equipment from cannabis grows to Stonebridge City Farm Nottinghamshire Live, 16 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020
  8. Force donates confiscated equipment to St Ann’s farm Nottinghamshire Police official website, 16 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020
  9. "A History of Stonebridge City Farm". Archived from the original on 12 February 2012.
  10. "Top 21 put the flags out". Archived from the original on 4 September 2012.
  11. Parrots and other exotic birds are on the loose after vandals attacked their aviary at a Nottingham city farm. BBC News Nottingham, 21 April 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2020
  12. New Aviary opening at Stonebridge City Farm visit-nottinghamshire. Retrieved 15 January 2020
  13. Popular city attraction Stonebridge City Farm in urgent need of £30k to keep running Nottinghamshire Live, 7 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2020
  14. Stonebridge City Farm Visits Crabtree Farm Primary school, 14 May 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2020


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