Oldest urban farm grows a new community

Hardy revellers turned out in torrential downpours on Saturday to celebrate the Celtic new year at their local neighbourhood farm.

The 4-acre urban oasis, tucked under the M32 at the end of Eastville Park, was formerly a dairy farm.

It ceased operating in the 1980’s and is now a thriving community project with veg growing plots, a forest garden and animals including, at one point or another, goats, chickens and pigs.

The buzz of voices and wildlife keeps the motorway’s hum at bay, though the blue signs and stream of cars can still be spied from the top of the hill.

The roofs of the Bridge Farm barns and farmhouse can be seen from the top of the site’s hill, with the M32 in the background – photo: Ursula Billington

Bridge Farm seasonal events have become legendary amongst the local community and the Samhain, or Halloween, celebration did not disappoint.

Fabulous and fearsomely-costumed participants took shelter in barns to enjoy live music including atmospheric a cappella trio Lon Dubh and experimental ‘apocalyptic’ folk from Silky Disturbance.

The atmosphere in the barns was celebratory as people let loose to some quality music performances, including Kitty Stewart and her ukulele – photo: Jackson Moulding

Delicious sustenance was provided by pizzas freshly fired in the outdoor oven by Pizza Wisdom, empanadas from Este Kitchen and iOCA’s Brasilian street food. Bristol Beer Factory donated all the beer for the bar as part of their Brewed to Give community support initiative.

And the rain eased just in time for the sundown fire ceremony which has become a tradition at Bridge Farm events that are organised to mark the year’s turning points in May, July, October and December.

The rain stopped just in time for the community to enjoy an evening of live music and celebrations under the light of the full moon – photo: Jackson Moulding

Lon Dubh take their name from the Irish Gaelic for blackbird – photo: Ursula Billington

Grower, volunteer coordinator and steering group member Ade Taylor said community, as embodied in these gatherings, is vital to the Bridge Farm project.

“We’re trying to build food sovereignty and teach people skills they might not otherwise know – like appreciation of the land, of biodiversity, of working together as a team on a project,” he said.

“Super important skills that are going to be needed going forward, that are coming back round from our forefathers and ancestors. All that farming knowledge we’ve lost, we need to bring it back.”

Adam (left) came along to the community gathering to celebrate his birthday with friends Beckah (middle) and Rob (right) – photo: Ursula Billington

The communal growers group share plots of land, learn skills as they go and pass these on to new volunteers. The farm also welcomes groups including people with mental health issues, refugees supported by Aid Box Community and Borderlands, those finding it challenging returning to work, and home-schoolers The Pippins.

On this year’s Get Growing Trail, each young visitor was invited to plant a sunflower seed by the wall running alongside Glenfrome Road. The plants grew to over 11 feet, and the children were overheard telling parents ‘that’s my flower!’ on their walk to Glenfrome Primary School. “That really warmed my heart,” said Ade.

Ade Taylor enjoys getting away from his computer to tend plants and grow vegetables alongside others at the farm – photo: Ursula Billington

Many benefits are felt by the various groups connecting with this piece of land in a primarily urban area. “Some people are gaining community and getting out the house,” Ade explained.

“There are plenty of neurodiverse people finding a way of getting involved socially that feels safer. It’s giving some people passion and purpose, learning new things to then try to turn into a business. It’s building confidence,” he continued.

“We’re learning skills and ways of being together that most people don’t normally get a chance to do in their work life. It’s a place people can really let loose. To find something like this on the doorstep of the city is truly unique.”

The fire ceremony is a long-running tradition at Bridge Farm events, enjoyed by all the family – photos: Jackson Moulding

While the farm’s events are increasingly popular and the land a regular hive of green activity, the project is at a turning point. The land was bought in 2018 by the Ashley Vale Action Group, the team behind St. Werburghs sustainable self-build development The Yard, to save it from falling into the wrong hands.

But planning permission for low-cost, sustainable community housing is taking much longer than expected to come through, and an investor is urgently needed to save the site’s six-bed farmhouse from falling into irrevocable disrepair.

“It’s such a beautiful piece of Bristol’s farming heritage and has so much potential. It would be a huge loss,” said Ade.

“We’re inviting interest from any individuals, organisations, charities or philanthropists out there who connect with the values of Bridge farm, namely community, sustainability, organic farming and inclusion.”

The site’s 6-bed farmhouse sits alongside the communal growing plots and acres of green space, but is rapidly falling into disrepair – photo: Ursula Billington

Aside from funds, Ade wants to encourage new volunteers to get involved: “Our community needs people as much as it needs nature!” he stressed.

“We need leaders, people willing to get stuck in, fresh energy to design the community of the future and help us grow.

“From builders to newsletter writers, diggers, sweepers, social media wizards. Anyone who wants to get involved. All skills welcome!”

To get involved in any aspect of Bridge Farm email info@bridgefarmbristol.org.uk

Main photo: Ursula Billington

This piece of independent journalism is supported by The Extra Mile and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.

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