APPLE pressing, lambs and live music helped keep spirits high despite rain at Oxford City Farm's annual autumn festival on Saturday.

The urban farm team showcased the fruits of another busy year at the East Oxford site, with water and electricity finally connected during the summer.

There was a packed programme from 11am until 4pm of events, food and drink provided by Taste Tibet, Waste2Taste, Coopers BBQ, Pizza Midwife and nearby pub Jolly Postboys providing a bar.

There was also a wide array of stalls on the farm site, including beekeeping with a bee trail and quiz.

Oxford Mail:

City farm chairman Lucie Mayer said: "It was amazing. We were very unlucky as it rained all day for the first time in ages but we were thrilled that so many people came out to support us despite the cold.

"We had 772 people come through the gates which given the weather was fantastic. It made us feel very loved by the community."

Visitors had the chance to tour the farm and see some of the farm animals, with produce from the farm, including pumpkins, was on sale, as well as apple pressing and face painting.

Oxford Mail:

Ms Mayer said the apple pressing and chance to meet the animals, including lambs, were two of the most popular activities.

She said: "There is some sort of strange alchemy to people turning often misshapen apples into delicious juice that appeals to children and adults alike. The chance to see the animals is always a favourite as well."

She added: "On the day live music we had also really helped keeps spirits high and we were dancing in the rain."

Music was performed by local groups including The Deadbeat Apostles, Band of Hope, Oxford Ukeleles and the Sea Green Singers.

The festival comes a year after £12,000 was raised by the community to fund the farm, which was dreamt up a decade ago as a way to educate people about food production and promote healthy living.

Based at Cornwallis Road, near Florence Park, the community team finally signed a 40-year lease on their East Oxford home last February.

Work is set to start later on the project in the new year.

As things come together on the farm, there has been an increase in community projects. From August vegetables grown at Oxford City Farm are being used by The Jolly Postboys to make its soups, with the profits going back into funding the community site.

Sixth formers at Iffley Academy are also now regular visitors at the site, getting stuck in with growing workshops.

The autumn festival saw farm volunteers raising money to install fencing to keep more animals.

Ms Mayer said: "Due to the weather we fell short of our £3,000 target but people can still donate on the city farm website.

"We also have regular work groups on the second Saturday of the month if people want to get more involved."

Visit oxfordcityfarm.org.uk.