Supporting the Serpentine Community Farm

Buxton Civic Association Director Alyson Phillips presented a cheque for £600 to John Boardman, Grower at the Serpentine Community Farm, to fund the cost of the components for an automatic watering system for the greenhouse and polytunnels.
Alyson Phillips commented that “Buxton Civic Association has always actively supported Serpentine Community Farm and the restoration of this important Heritage site. When we heard about this opportunity to educate locals and visitors about a targeted irrigation system that conserves water and saves energy we were happy to help out.”
John Boardman said “summers seem to be getting hotter and the system we will build with this generous gift will save our volunteers a huge amount of work shifting water and give us a much better way of meeting the needs of our plants. The gift is much appreciated.”
The Serpentine Community Farm is off Burlington Road and is open on Wednesday’s and Sunday’s from 11-3 pm. Visitors and Volunteers are welcome.

A Video by Andy Parker on the Serpentine Community Farm

The Serpentine Community Farm was set up four years ago and had faced a constant struggle to stay on the site of the Serpentine Nursery. Other sites had been considered but none proved suitable. Meanwhile the site had been transformed from a neglected dilapidated space into a vibrant community garden, a haven for the young and old, the green fingered and the not so green fingered. It became a place to learn and a place to share knowledge. A few weeks ago High Peak Borough Council gave notice that they wanted the Community Farm to vacate their base on the Serpentine site by 31st July 2018. Denied even the opportunity ti water and harvest the plants that were growing, the process of packing up and storing equipment began.

But on the 19th July High Peak Borough Council had a change of heart and reconsidered their decision. They offered the community farm an eighteenth month temporary lease while a more permanent solution was sought.

Great news indeed. On the last Sunday of the 2018 Festival the community farm hosted a fringe event "Give Peas a chance."

This is Andy's short video celebrating the community farm, the people and its future.

The journey continues.

Give Peas a chance

We have wonderful news. High Peak Borough Council is stopping all works on trying for residential development within Serpentine Walks.
The Serpentine Farm is to be offered a lease on the whole site, including buildings until 31st December 2019 as discussions open on the long-term future - whether a long lease or outright purchase at a suitably discounted price.

Thank you to all our followers for the support and leads you have given us.

Serpentine Community Farm Project

Dr Mike Monaghan Chair of Buxton Civic Association was delighted to hand over a cheque for £1000 to the volunteers at the Serpentine Community Farm project. BCA has supported the project several times, Mike added “this is an excellent project and shows just how much can be achieved by a dedicated, hardworking community minded group of people.”

The farm, established in 2014, aims to restore derelict council owned greenhouses that are situated just off Serpentine Lane in Buxton. Volunteers are welcome, and the next volunteer days are Wednesday 22nd February, and the following Sunday, 26th February.

After the AGM there were more Pressing Matters to get on with!

Congratulations to the Serpentine Community Farm on celebrating their first AGM in the most appropriate way.

Janine Morris writes;

"A lovely Apple Day was held at the Serpentine Community Farm on 18th September complemented by the balmy autumn weather. A good number of people dropped in to say hello, including folk just passing through the park as well as members and dedicated volunteers.

Martin Stokes, was a welcome addition to the day, with his fine selection of apple varieties on sale. Apples were pressed with gusto, thanks to the loan of the apple press from Bamford Quaker Community.

The day concluded with our first General Meeting. Two new Directors were appointed and members were updated on the progress made in the previous year, including the renovation of the greenhouse to its former glory, the installation of a new Poly-tunnel, raised beds and cold frames to boost productive growing space, as well as the near completion of the compost toilet.

We updated the success of various projects including the highly successful Grow Wild project with Buxton & Leek College students.

All of the progress made at the site could not have been possible without the all the amazing volunteer help along the way, including our weekly visits from Alderbrook and all the individuals and teams who have dropped in to help, and continue to do so. Here’s to another productive year down at the Farm!"

The Serpentine Community Farm Buxton are looking to appoint someone to help with the Serpentine Community Farm. Full details of the role, including contact details can be found below.

THE ROLE - We are looking to appoint an individual (or 2 people on a job share arrangement) who has the skills, time and commitment to help us with the planning, sowing, planting, growing and selling of organic produce from the Serpentine Community Farm. You will have experience in growing vegetables but more importantly will have the time to dedicate at least 14 hours a week (during Spring, Summer and Autumn) to the role. You will also have a keen interest in working with the local community.

Because we are in the developmental stages of the project, the role is currently unpaid. However, you are free to "pick your own" and use the produce grown on the site (within reason!). This role will be suitable for someone who is seeking to develop their existing horticultural and organisational skills.

Specific responsibilities will include:

* Developing and implementing a yearly planting plan (including crop rotation) for the site.
* Purchasing seeds and plants.
* Taking decisions about sowing, potting on and planting out.
* Developing monthly work plans for the volunteers.
* Managing plant health and the hygiene of the greenhouse and the poly tunnels and raised beds.
* Understanding how produce can be used.
* Identifying and building client relationships with our customers.
* Delivery of produce to customers.
* Weighing and pricing produce.
* Using our accounting process.

ABOUT US - Serpentine Community Farm (SCF) is a Community Interest Company. We are transforming SCF into a community resource for the people of Buxton (and the surrounding area), to develop and enhance their horticultural skills and knowledge. Our aim is to showcase all aspects of the sustainable food cycle, growing, harvesting, preserving, cooking etc.

OUR VALUES - SCF works on the principles of sustainability and protecting the environment. This means that we:

* grow produce on organic principles, without chemical additives;
* source materials as locally as possible and recycle resources when we can;
* Improve the biodiversity of the site by growing plants, including native wild flowers that are beneficial to insects and will create a habitat that encourages wildlife and insects to flourish.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS - Please do get in touch with us, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us through these channels:

* www.serpentinecommunityfarm.org
* www.facebook.com/serpentineprojectbuxton
* twitter.com/Serpentine Farm
* Janine 07752368358