40 years film.

Recording great things.

Within a blink of an eye time goes by, the Farm started back in 1984 and over the years there have been hundreds of people involved in it. From the initial community members that set it up right through to the staff and volunteers that make everything happen today.

4 decades have gone by, young people seen in photos back at the start are now 40 or 50 years old… and those older ones a bit more than that!

We want to celebrate the projects 40th year by recording some of the voices, views and people old and new, to acknowledge the work they have done and provide a record for future generations.

Over the past few months, a group of volunteers have come together to create a short documentary to celebrate Hackney City Farm’s 40th anniversary, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

In October, the Farm issued a call for volunteers with a variety of skills, and many answered. There was no set script or predefined way of working on the film, but just a shared goal: to tell a the farm’s story.

Since then, archives have been dug through, memories told, and interviews held to find out what makes Hackney City Farm the magical place that it is.

When a community farm survives and thrives this long, it isn’t without resilience, strength and flexibility.

Hackney City Farm has stood here for the last 40 years, providing a sense of belonging, support, and shared purpose. Over the years, it has been a central part of the community, offering emotional and social support during the good and challenging times. The farm has provided opportunities for learning and career development, has built relationships and has fostered community engagement.

Collected from Hackney Archives, Hackney City Farm’s archives, past and present volunteers, trustees, and visitors old and new, we hope this story can inspire you to become be part of this story or simply take a moment to absorb something you have long known.

We hope this film will inspire viewers to not give up in the face of uncertainty, showcase and maintain a spirit of community, and cultivate a sense of belonging, well-being, and resilience.

We are Hackney City Farm. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the past 40 years. And here’s to 40 more.

Screenings

23 March 2025 6pm: film launch at Hackney City Farm, 1A Goldsmiths Row, Hackney E8 8QA.

17 May 2025 2–2.30pm film screening at Hackney History Festival, Hackney Archives, CLR James Library, Dalston Square, E8 3BQ.

Please return to this page for further screenings and access.

40th year celebration – A Hackney City Farm project made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have a new film created by community and volunteers to mark the Farm’s 40th anniversary.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.