The farm has been full of visiting young people this half-term, welcoming students from Westminster Academy and King Solomon Academy (both via West London Zone), from Pimlico Academy, Haringey Learning Partnership and Oasis Academy Southbank. It’s been lovely to work with many visiting school staff that we have met before. In continuing to build and deepen the relationships between farm and school staff, we hope to provide even more of a rewarding experience for those young people.
It was wonderful to run a follow-up visit at Waterloo in February with a group from Harris Academy St John’s Wood, and Alice from the Bath farm. The young people had previously experienced a week’s residential visit at Bath in December, and it was evident to see how much they enjoyed coming together, sharing memories from Bath, and being celebrated for their many achievements during that week. It was good to hear young people remark “this feels just like being back at Jamie’s farm”, even though Waterloo and Wiltshire have lots of obvious differences!
Although it’s been very wet, spring is starting to work its magic in bringing colour and greenery to the farm. The trees are in leaf, daffodils and hyacinths have been filling the flower beds, and kale, peas, lettuces and beetroot seedlings are all starting to appear – all of which have been planted alongside young people. It’s been a joy to see how well many young people have engaged in planting seeds, as many have remarked when returning for their weekly sessions that they “want to check on if my seeds have grown”. Discovering that they have, and there are green shoots above the earth, has been lovely moment for them, as well as us.
We are extremely grateful to Jamie’s Farm’s Andy and Paul for travelling up from Wiltshire to help give us a brand spanking new kitchen roof. The old roof was getting increasingly leaky, so to have a new roof that is both water-tight and sparkling clean has really brightened things up.
Oasis Farm Waterloo is opening its doors for a community “Spring Dig” event on Sunday 14th April, 1 – 4pm. It’s a chance to come and see the farm and enjoy some family-friendly activities including crafts, games, hot & cold drinks and seed planting. Entry is free and there’s no need to register in advance.
We’re also very happy that the Handlebards will be returning to Oasis Farm Waterloo on June 5th this year for a bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors”. Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK. Visit www.handlebards.com to find out more and to book tickets.
