Mudchute Park and Farm

I seem to have become a bit accidentally urban farm obsessed this week! Similar to Hackney, Mudchute farm proves to be immeasurably beneficial to the local community. It is the largest London farm and boasts an equestrian centre as well as a shop, cafe and all its animals. The Mudchute Park and Farm is a limited company owned by the Mudchute Association, and has a General Manager, reporting to the Trustees. The day to day running of the Park and Farm are managed by a small professional team assisted by many dedicated volunteers. The Association includes an active Society of Allotment Holders, who are represented on the board of trustees and comprise tenants of approximately 70 allotments leased annualy.

The most striking part of the experience was seeing canary wharf towering in the background of what felt like a quite convincing natural environment. It really surprised me how disconnected form the city I felt and was only remionded of our close proximity when we wandered accross the paddock and saw the imposing office blocks. It almost sounds perverse but I really enjoyed the compositon of urban fabric in the background of a very rural subject- it somehow felt quite unusual.

I find urban farms fascinating having grown up in just about the most rural surroundings possible. I have realised the benefits of experiences I very definately took for granted as a child in terms of understanding about livestock, especially in relation to origins of meat. So many children who have grown up in urban environments are unbearably ignorant and naive to the workings of the rural life. Hopefully urban farms such as Mudchute and Hackney can help reconnect the rural and urban identites for children, as well as heightening their awareness of the importance of environmental issues.

Mudchute here