VOLUNTEERS at an urban farm in the heart of East Oxford have been busy creating a forest garden and tending to animals as the site continues to grow this winter.
A community farming session was held on Saturday to do the final preparation work before planting can get underway on the forest project, which has been funded with a grant from the International Tree Foundation.
It marks the latest step forward for the Cornwallis Road site, which founder Lucie Mayer dreamt up more than a decade ago as a way to educate people about food production and promote healthy living.
ALSO READ: Sick animals evacuated as storm destroys rescue centre
The farm’s website explains: “We see that people benefit physically and mentally from taking part in meaningful activity outdoors and that having the opportunity to work alongside others has great social benefits for participants and the wider community."
It adds: “The food we grow together is shared amongst volunteers and participants and distributed to the wider community, getting fresh local food on the plates of people who might otherwise have limited access to it. In growing food we are growing community.”
After years of hard work, the volunteer community team finally signed a 40-year lease on their East Oxford home near Florence Park in February 2017.
After the major hurdle of getting a long-term lease was cleared the pace accelerated on transforming the 2.5-acre plot.
A planning application was approved by the city council in June 2018 to allow the group to build a toilet block, sheltered outdoor kitchen and temporary office at the site.
Water and electricity were also connected at the East Oxford plot that September, with produce grown at Oxford City Farm also starting to be used by nearby pub The Jolly Postboys to make its soups.
Animals were next on the wishlist for the farm, with a chicken run built and the birds added to the site this summer to go alongside bee hives. The community team also added a paid director, Martin Ousley, in November.
PROFILE: Oxford City Farm founder talks making dream a reality
Explaining the move last year Ms Mayer said: "We are at a point now though where we feel we have gone as far as we can and are ready to take things to the next level.
"Having a paid director, as well as a volunteer and partnership coordinator, will help us do a lot more."
While the strong winds brought by Storm Ciara did not deter volunteers this weekend it did claim a longstanding feature of the urban farm.
A post on the farm’s Facebook page yesterday said a tent used by the group as a 'gathering space, classroom, tea tent and farm shop' for the last two years had been destroyed.
It added: “It’s never been ideal but it has ‘done the job’ as we have worked hard to turn a derelict site into a nourishing green space.
“It has been quite a journey. Hopefully we will be able to replace it soon.”
ALSO READ: Road closed as Storm Ciara blows off side of roof
The next step in creating the forest garden will be a tree planting event on February 19 between 12.30pm and 3.30pm.
All are welcome and no booking is needed. For more updates visit oxfordcityfarm.co.uk or the farm’s Facebook page.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here