Farmyard open Tuesdays to Sundays 10:00–16:30
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.
Four 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.
12 May 2025 6:30pm
OffBeat Folk Film Festival, Walthamstow Trades Hall, E17 4RQ.
17 May 2025 2–2.30pm
Hackney History Festival, Hackney Archives, CLR James Library, Dalston Square, E8 3BQ.
“Dear HCF community,
We want to say a heartfelt thank you for your presence, energy, and support at the Hackney City Farm 40th Year Film screening, which took place on March 23rd. With around 173 people in attendance, we had a night we won’t forget.
Creating this short documentary on Hackney City Farm has been an incredible journey for us, the volunteers, to share with the community. We wanted to share what is so special about the Hackney City Farm: at its heart, community, and the belief that strong communities grow like gardens, thriving with diversity, care, and a shared commitment to growth.
Our documentary spotlights the farm’s resilience and how people can come together to create something meaningful in spaces that are often overlooked. It is in these unexpected places that beautiful things can grow, just like our farm in the city.
If you missed our first screening of the film The Farm on Our Street, don’t worry! You can catch us at the OffBeat Folk Film Festival on Monday 12th May from 6:30 pm onwards at Walthamstow Trades Hall, E17 4RQ.
OffBeat is the UK’s only dedicated film club celebrating the folk and working culture of the British Isles. The festival will show a selection of contemporary documentaries exploring where town and country meet.
Tickets are available via the OffBeat Folk Film Club website for £8.
We will also be briefly showcasing the film at the Hackney History Festival on Saturday 17th May at 2 -2.30 pm - Hackney Archives, Dalston Square, E8 3BQ. Tickets are free!
We look forward to seeing you there!
With warmth and thanks,
HCF 40th Year Film volunteer team
“What a year it’s been for The Farm on Our Street. From the beginning of our project in October 2024, ran by a team of volunteers. We have well and truly been on the tour of London’s film festivals to share how special Hackney City Farm is with the world. A not so little secret that the community of Hackney have known and loved for over 40 years.
Our first public showing of The Farm on our Street was held at Hackney City Farm on 23rd March 2025 with an amazing turnout from our community. The Hackney City Farm cafe was full to the brim with food supplied by Frizzante. A wonderful evening to celebrate the premier of our short documentary with and for the community.
– Offbeat Folk Festival 12th May 2025
– Hackney History Festival 17th May 2025
– Straw Bale Room at Hackney City Farm 22nd August 2025
– Folkestone Documentary Festival 23rd October 2025
– London Breeze Film Festival 25th October 2025
To share our little slice of Hackney with a wider audience has been very special. And now, we are excited to bring The Farm on our Street to our website for all to see and enjoy.
At the heart of everything we do, is community. We hope The Farm on our Street stands as a reminder of the importance of community and shared spaces for all. Improving not just our physical environment but strengthening the very fibre of our community as a whole. We hope to empower people to shape their own communities, wherever they are in the world and to create something visible and meaningful, that will last for generations to come.
We hope this short documentary can be an example of what’s possible when people come together.
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.
