Surrey Docks Farm
Encyclopedia
Surrey Docks Farm is a working city farm
in the heart of London
. It occupies a 2.2 acres (8,903.1 m²) site on the south bank of the River Thames
in Rotherhithe
.
to provide many unique opportunities for people to learn about farming and food production
, and to be actively involved in the ongoing work of the farm. Animals reared on the farm include a herd of milking goat
s, sheep, cattle
, pig
s, duck
s, geese, chicken
s, turkeys
, bee
s and donkey
s. The herds and flocks are farmed with specific attention to animal welfare
. There are a variety of green and horticultural areas such as the orchard, herb garden, dye garden, vegetable plots, and the wild area. Fresh food and produce are on sale to the public. Other facilities include a dairy
, milking barn, bee room, café
, working blacksmith
’s forge and adult education
rooms. There is a fully equipped classroom used by schools from across London.
registered with the Financial Services Authority
, and with HM Revenue & Customs
(registration number 22829R). Current patrons of the Society include the Bishop of Southwark and Simon Hughes
MP. The Society particularly encourages membership applications from local people to ensure that they are at the forefront of what is essentially a local community project. Committee members of the Provident Society are elected at the Annual General Meeting
.
and the River Thames. Its initial purpose was to try and raise livestock and produce food from what was regarded as wasteland. In April 1980 the Farm registered as a Provident Society. In June 1986 the farm was re-located to its present site, a new 2.2 acres (8,903.1 m²) site on the river Thames at South Wharf. During the working lifetime of the docks the site formed part of the largest shipyard on the Rotherhithe peninsula.
For the last few years of his life until June 2011, the farm was managed by local campaigner Barry Mason
.
City farm
City farms are usually community-run projects in urban areas, which involve people interacting and working with animals and plants. They aim to improve community relationships and offer an awareness of agriculture and farming to people who live in built-up areas.They vary in size from small plots...
in the heart of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It occupies a 2.2 acres (8,903.1 m²) site on the south bank of the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
in Rotherhithe
Rotherhithe
Rotherhithe is a residential district in inner southeast London, England and part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is located on a peninsula on the south bank of the Thames, facing Wapping and the Isle of Dogs on the north bank, and is a part of the Docklands area...
.
Activities
The farm works with local communities and the people of SouthwarkSouthwark
Southwark is a district of south London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Southwark. Situated east of Charing Cross, it forms one of the oldest parts of London and fronts the River Thames to the north...
to provide many unique opportunities for people to learn about farming and food production
Food industry
The food production is a complex, global collective of diverse businesses that together supply much of the food energy consumed by the world population...
, and to be actively involved in the ongoing work of the farm. Animals reared on the farm include a herd of milking goat
Goat
The domestic goat is a subspecies of goat domesticated from the wild goat of southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the Bovidae family and is closely related to the sheep as both are in the goat-antelope subfamily Caprinae. There are over three hundred distinct breeds of...
s, sheep, cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
, pig
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...
s, duck
Duck
Duck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered...
s, geese, chicken
Chicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
s, turkeys
Turkey (bird)
A turkey is a large bird in the genus Meleagris. One species, Meleagris gallopavo, commonly known as the Wild Turkey, is native to the forests of North America. The domestic turkey is a descendant of this species...
, bee
Bee
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila...
s and donkey
Donkey
The donkey or ass, Equus africanus asinus, is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African Wild Ass, E...
s. The herds and flocks are farmed with specific attention to animal welfare
Animal welfare
Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...
. There are a variety of green and horticultural areas such as the orchard, herb garden, dye garden, vegetable plots, and the wild area. Fresh food and produce are on sale to the public. Other facilities include a dairy
Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...
, milking barn, bee room, café
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
, working blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
’s forge and adult education
Adult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
rooms. There is a fully equipped classroom used by schools from across London.
Management
The farm is managed by the Surrey Docks Farm Provident Society Ltd, a tax exempt charitable organisationCharitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
registered with the Financial Services Authority
Financial Services Authority
The Financial Services Authority is a quasi-judicial body responsible for the regulation of the financial services industry in the United Kingdom. Its board is appointed by the Treasury and the organisation is structured as a company limited by guarantee and owned by the UK government. Its main...
, and with HM Revenue & Customs
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs is a non-ministerial department of the UK Government responsible for the collection of taxes and the payment of some forms of state support....
(registration number 22829R). Current patrons of the Society include the Bishop of Southwark and Simon Hughes
Simon Hughes
Simon Henry Ward Hughes is a British politician and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats. He is Member of Parliament for the constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark. Until 2008 he was President of the Liberal Democrats...
MP. The Society particularly encourages membership applications from local people to ensure that they are at the forefront of what is essentially a local community project. Committee members of the Provident Society are elected at the Annual General Meeting
Annual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
.
History
The Farm was first established in 1975 on a 1.5 acres (6,070.3 m²) site of derelict dockland between the entrance to Greenland DockGreenland Dock
Greenland Dock is the oldest of London's riverside wet docks, located in Rotherhithe in the area of the city now known as Docklands. It used to be part of the Surrey Commercial Docks, most of which have by now been filled in...
and the River Thames. Its initial purpose was to try and raise livestock and produce food from what was regarded as wasteland. In April 1980 the Farm registered as a Provident Society. In June 1986 the farm was re-located to its present site, a new 2.2 acres (8,903.1 m²) site on the river Thames at South Wharf. During the working lifetime of the docks the site formed part of the largest shipyard on the Rotherhithe peninsula.
For the last few years of his life until June 2011, the farm was managed by local campaigner Barry Mason
Barry Mason (cyclist)
Barry Mason was a noted activist for cycling in London, UK.After graduating from the London School of Economics, Mason had a varied career, including two years as head of visitor services at Salisbury Cathedral and four years working in Liverpool.However, he was best known in his later years for...
.