Rare Breeds in the City | Spitalfields City Farm | Breeds, Farm, Rare, City, These

The 'Rare Breeds in the City' project, funded by the Heritate Lottery Fund has
come to an end but it is not the end for rare breeds at Spitalfields City Farm.

The Heritage Lottery Fund had provided a
grant of £50,000 to enable us to purchase
rare breeds of british farm animal.

These breeds are rare because although once common and economically important they were unable to compete with newer breeds developed on the continent.

As such their place in agriculture has been lost but a group of individuals recognised the importance of these traditional breeds and that something should be done to prevent any more of them becoming extinct (by then, the 1970s) many breeds had already been lost forever.

The Rare Breed Survival Trust was then set up to prevent further losses by highlighting the issue to the public at large and also to encourage farmers to keep and breed some rare breeds to physically help ensure the animals continued survival.

You can now find examples of these rare breeds on Rare Breed Farm parks (approved by the RBST) but also many private breeders keep them and help contribute valuable breeding animals to increase population numbers.

Over the next year we will be hatching rare breed chicken eggs and later next year, breeding rare British sheep and goats.

You can read all about rare breeds and our year long project in our new 'Rare Breeds in the City' book - with a foreword by Peter Titley, chairman of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

You can view an e-book copy here for free

Or buy a full colour paper copy directly from us at the farm for £6 (send a cheque with +£2 postage if you want it delivered)
.

Smallholding Workshops

Cheesemaking, Spinning and Woollen Crafts, Starting With Smallholding

Venue: Spitalfields City Farm is on Buxton Street (postcode E1 5AR).

There is no parking available but it is easily reached by public transport: From Liverpool street walking time 20mins, or take overground in direction of Chingford, get off at Bethnal Green walk from there (10mins)

Deposit of £10 per person required to confirm space, as numbers are small and we hope people will be reliable.

These workshops are subject to change at short notice. Cancellations must be made no later than 48 hours in advance and will incur loss of non refundable deposit. Workshops may be cancelled by ourselves if there are not enough people booked onto them to warrant running it. We will then refund all deposits and/or ask if you would like it to be transferred to another workshop date.

Group size is small to enable all attendees to get sufficient practice time and opportunity to ask questions.

These are our first set of courses. They will be repeated on a rotational basis depending on demand.

If you can not make these dates or they are already booked up you may ask to be added to our email waiting list and we will contact you when places are available in your chosen course.

For more information or to book your place please contact Helen, Farmyard Manager

Cheesemaking, Sat 8 Aug 11-5pm

£60pp to include lunch & information pack, and sample cheese. min 3 people max 6.

Learn the process of making cheeses from unpasteurised goats milk, we will be using vegetarian rennet.

Discussion on choosing goat breeds, other milk producing animals, legislation, health and safety, other dairy produce.

Spinning and Woollen Crafts, Sat 22 Aug 11-4pm

£50pp to include lunch & information pack, and sample spun wool or felt. min 2 max 5 people

Learning how clothes and other useful items can be made from raw wool.

We will be spinning the fleeces of our sheep and also learning how to make felt, weave on a handmade weaving frame.

Discussion on choosing type of wool fit for purpose, improving technique, other creative things to do with wool.

Starting With Smallholding, Sat 5 Sept 11-5pm

£60pp to include lunch, biscuits & info pack. min 4 max 10 people

For those of you dreaming of purchasing your first plot of land In the country.

We will be looking in brief at basic livestock - chickens, goats, sheep.

Discussion on legislation requirements, what do YOU want animals for?, breeds.

We will meet our friendly animals and learn About feeding, handling, health and routine Vet procedures.

Costs. Is it achievable?

Bake With Compassion

Compassionate Cafe, Sunday 12th July, 12-4pm

Spitalfields is hosting a Bake with Compassion event to support Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) and raising vital funds to support their campaigns, as well as raising awareness for laying hens and educating people on their consumer choices.

Vacancies

Spitalfields City Farm is looking for a Volunteer Support Worker

You will be involved in all aspects of volunteering at the Farm, from recruitment through to support. You will also assist in delivering our London South Bank University (LSBU) Mentor programme.

30 hours per week Sunday - Wednesday

Salary £18,321.00 pro rata.

Closing date: Friday 17th July

To apply, please send a CV and covering letter relating to the Job Description and Person Specification (see below) and your experience of working with volunteers to:

Mhairi Weir - Farm Manager,

Spitalfields City Farm,

Buxton Street,

London,

E1 5AR

You can get Job Description & Person Specification

Download HERE
Or email Mhairi Weir, Manager
Or by sending an SAE to the above address.

Looking for other environmental jobs, courses, and events? Try environmentjob.co.uk

3 Rs Arts n Crafts Group

Tetra-pack wallets, plastic bag cushions, tin-can nightlights, car part necklaces, inner-tube belts, pillow-case rucksacks…….

WHAT?

If you love making things, want to reduce your environmental impact and like the idea of hanging out at a city farm too, then this is the group for you!

Using the principles of Reduce Reuse Recycle come along to fortnightly drop-in sessions hosted by Spitalfields City Farm, share your ideas and materials with other enthusiastic crafty types and get crafting!

Each month we meet and share the projects we've made, talk about where we've got stuck, and pick each others brains about what to do next. Sewing machine and coffee/tea making facilities available.

WHO?
All skill levels welcome - only enthusiasm required!

WHERE?

Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street, London, E1 5AR

WHEN?

1st and 3rd Saturday of every month, 12-2pm

Our first ever session will be on Saturday 6th June, 2009 where you can learn how to use a sewing machine and get our crafty ideas rolling

HOW MUCH?
£1 donation per session

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Spitalfields City Farm

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