2012 -- ‘An amazing year for Stonebridge City farm’

In St Ann's it has been an amazing year for Volunteers & staff members of Stonebridge City Farm, which was launched by celebrity goat Lucy on BBC East Midlands Today: "A goat which blows raspberries that has become a hit with visitors at a farm.

WATES living space that began installing wall cladding & carrying out external works to properties around the Stonebridge Park estate in the summer also did charity work at the farm by providing volunteers and materials to relay the patio outside the café and main community building.

In July Stonebridge City Farm came top in the education section for the Evening Post Cash in the Community and won £1,628.89. This was followed by a record number of visitors to their annual summer open day, and a guest appearance on the CH4 program Super Scrimpers.

Nottingham Forest Football Club collected donations for the Farm during their match on 31st August against Birmingham FC, which also gave the community farm a boost.

Writing on his website in January, Nottingham East MP Chris Leslie said "Stonebridge City Farm in St Ann's is a long-standing and much cherished local facility, providing education, volunteering opportunities and fun for visitors young and old. On Friday I invited a selection of local businesses to come to a lunchtime tour and meeting of the farm to see for themselves the positive work that takes place – and to gently encourage them to consider giving some financial support! With grants to voluntary bodies under severe pressure locally and nationally, the City Farm will find it increasingly hard to cover their costs. They have a wide variety of animals to feed and grounds to maintain – and they already rely on over 70 local volunteers each week. I hope that the 'corporate day' event will be helpful, and I'd like to thank Marie, Steven and the rest of the team for their dedication over the years to this valuable oasis in a neighbourhood which has its fair share of challenges."

The next event to look forward to be the farm's 'Wild Food Session' on Sunday 16th December, with special guest James Wood from the Foraged book project. He will be looking at foraged pigments, and showing visitors how to make your own colours from foraged plants. The farm is asking for a donation of £2/3 for the session.