187. City Consorts’ Visit to Surrey Docks City Farm, 15 May 2024

Christine Elliott, from the Social Committee, organised a Consorts’ visit to City Farm.  John Reynolds, Consort to the Master Educator, a former Master Farmer and former Chair of The Farmers’ Club, arranged for those who wished to join him beforehand for coffee and croissants at the Club in Whitehall.  So we had a delightfully civilised start to the morning in that prestigious location (although it had meant an early start to get there). 

John told us a little of the history of the Club, then of the ups and downs of farming in more recent years.  The Club was founded in 1842 following the repeal of the Corn Laws, the result of which meant that corn/wheat could be imported.  In 1948 the Atlee Government passed the Agricultural Act by which farmers were paid a guaranteed price for their produce.  This was reversed with the Common Agricultural Policy, which was devised “to keep the Communists in the Steppes rather than in the Pyrenees”, and had the effect of creating grain and beef mountains.  Now the UK has left the European Community agriculture is no longer supported for producing food but is encouraged to adopt more environmental policies, such as carbon capture.  In 2024 21 action points for agriculture were set out, including payment per hectare per annum for nesting plots for lapwings, and connecting rivers to create flood plains.  Now however the Government is worrying about the need to increase fruit and vegetable production in the UK.  70% of the land is farmed, but farming employs only 1% of the population, producing 0.75% of gross value added.  Now, 54% of the food we eat is grown in the UK, as compared with 70% in 1984.

John used to be Head of ICI Fertilisers, and wholeheartedly supported the use of fertilisers.  Without them, only 40% of the world’s population could be fed.  He recognised the importance of providing a balance between growing crops and supporting the environment, and gave an example of local farmers in Rutland providing seed for wild birds round the edges of their fields.  Plant breeding has made a great difference in crop yield, for instance the wheat plant is now shorter so produces more grain and less straw.  He was conscious of the decline in insect population and knew that spraying had to be carefully regulated.  Climate change had made a huge difference to farming too, as had reversal of policy: in 1960 he had been paid £50 per chain (!) of hedge removed; now he was being paid to plant hedges.

As Consort to the Master Educator, John recognised the importance of education, and was very pleased to be able to support the City Farm with its educational programme.

And with that we all moved on to Westminster Pier to catch a Thames Clipper to Surrey Docks at Greenland.  Three more Consorts joined us at the pier, and a further one was waiting for us at the Farm.

London’s twelve City Farms are educational green spaces with livestock and gardens connecting city people with farming, food production, and the natural environment. They serve more than half a million Londoners every year.  Each Farm represents the character of its local community and offers services suited to their needs, providing a unique resource for London’s urban population to experience seasonal farming activities firsthand.  The Farms are community hubs, bringing people of all backgrounds and ages together in shared experiences.  They are all charities, and all free to visit.

First things first – many needed a further coffee, and we ordered our lunch for later.  Then Livestock Manager Claire Elson took us to the classroom where she and Manager Gemma Hooper told us about the farm.  It had been established in 1975, originally as a community garden on wasteland nearer the pier.  The local community had been very involved from the start.  To clear the ground for the garden they brought in goats, and somehow they stayed, and then they got some chickens...  In 1985 the local council wanted to sell that plot of land for flats, and, recognising the importance of the community farm, found another site nearby for rent, still with water frontage, which had been bombed, and had ended up as a lorry park for a smallpox facility.  This site comprised 2.2 acres, but there was a drainage issue which meant insufficient grass for all the animals, which were given hard feed instead.  The patron is Simon Hughes, formerly MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark.

The farm had initially run their own café, but found this hard work to staff and make profitable; now they rent out the building to a catering company and the arrangement is much more successful.  A room is available for hire for parties etc.

Volunteers built the classroom, which has a seeded roof.  The farm is open seven days a week, and is free of charge for entry.  Some of the volunteers are adults with learning difficulties, some of whom we met and who were very keen and knowledgeable about what they doing – planting, tending, harvesting, baking.  We met Harry, who had just made a lemon drizzle cake, of which he was rightly very proud.  He also enjoying making preserves.  Crops include broad beans, artichokes, rhubarb (for tasty rhubarb chutney), soft fruit, apples (and cider), tomatoes (many tomato plants were being planted out), even water melons and cucamelons.  Wood chips mixed with coffee grounds provide a good sterilised compost.  The students plan what to grow, and what to take to the on-site shop.  The farm also has bees and makes their own honey.

Other volunteers come on Mondays for the Cowpat Project to look after the animals.  They farm goat, lamb, beef and pork, sending the animals to an abattoir in Chelmsford, but the meat was returned, frozen, for the shop, and the locals are particularly appreciative of this opportunity.  The farm works closely with a large catering company, which bought any surplus lambs or kids.

Claire and Gemma obviously make a very good team.  Claire had studied animal husbandry, and had had work experience at the farm when 15.  She had been in charge of the animals for over 20 years.  Gemma had been Manager for 12 years, and had run other city farms and environmental projects.  She loves working with people who have no access to outside space and discovered at the farm a connection with nature.  We could see she has a very good relationship with all her volunteers.

The educational programme also involves a mobile farm which goes round to schools, and they receive about 200 school groups visiting the site each year.  Indeed, a group of five year olds was being taken round during our visit.  The farm works with the organisation School Food Matters, which encourages children to eat something green, and runs workshops milling flour, butter making, composting and provides bee-keeping classes. 

They also run rural crafts, with a blacksmith on site.  The farm and the blacksmith in particular work with young offenders from Southwark, running workshops and teaching them new skills.  Kevin the Blacksmith has an arrangement with local police, and with young people artistically turns knives acquired through knife amnesties into flowers!  He also assists Royal Palaces with repairs to various metal artefacts, including torture equipment!  He has been responsible for the outlines of soldiers at the Tower of London and new sculptures at Kensington Palace.

There is a pizza oven on site, fuelled by their own wood, and had been well used at the recent open weekend.  There is also a bread oven. 

We walked round the site with its buildings, equipment, animal shelters and fields and yards – all small and compact yet didn’t feel crowded.  And so to the livestock …  First, the chickens – enormous Brahmas, with feathered legs, and beautiful plumage. 

Then Bruno and Curly, two White Middle pigs – a rare breed, where there is one white middle pig for every three pandas.  Using the cider press and feeding the pigs with the pulped apples is popular with school visits.  It is hoped that these pigs will breed, although they seemed rather standoffish to us!  A pig’s gestation period is three months, three week and three days. 

There are also sheep, goats and cows (currently Custard and Cream – always biscuit names!).  Animals tend to go to slaughter after about 18 months.  16 lambs had been born this year.  Donkey experiences are also on offer.  Their policy is livestock, not deadstock, so seek to maintain good health in their animals.

We noticed that the Worshipful Company of Farmers had plaques on several buildings as sign of their generosity, and had helped to make the mountain of manure easier to manage by funding a small eco solar-charged quad loader.  Manure is sold locally. 

And so to our welcome lunch, freshly prepared.  Further chatting took place, then most left to return to central London by riverbus.  A fascinating time, and we wish the Farm well with its future plans and funding.