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Save Deen City Farm!

51 replies

TheHouseofMirth · 10/01/2011 21:48

As Wombly said on another thread, due to massive funding cuts from Merton Council, the future of Deen City Farm is looking uncertain.

The best way to help and show your support is to visit the farm but also here is a link to an online petition you can sign.

I love Deen City Farm, it's a brilliant place to go and although my sons have never been very bothered about the animals they have played countless games of hide and seek in the gardens.

Presumably, if they can find alternative streams of revenue then that will protect them I've often thought the cafe is pretty dire and that they might have more customers if they sold better food. Do any other Mumsnetters have any ideas for ways they could make more money?

OP posts:

Report

wombly · 20/01/2011 21:33

He should care about our farm, then!

mrsbadger2 · 24/01/2011 14:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wombly · 24/01/2011 14:48

Thanks, MrsBadger. Maybe we can all try to keep this thread updated.

I also don't know how I would've survived without Deen City Farm. The hours we've spent there!!!

wombly · 24/01/2011 14:59

We still need more signatures on the petition though.

TheHouseofMirth · 31/01/2011 21:14

There was a (very small) bit in SW Mag about the petition. I'm going to draft an email to the guy in charge of DC Farm offering our support and help. I'll post it on here before I send it for your comments.

Can anyone think of a local celeb whose support we could enlist?

OP posts:

wombly · 07/02/2011 02:55

Sorry to have been away from this thread. I'd say just send the email, HoM, don't worry about consulting us.

Two of Mumford & Sons (the band) went to Kings College School in Wimbledon. If they actually lived locally, they might well have visited the farm, and might love it like we do!

parceque · 08/02/2011 23:10

Only 4 signatures to go to reach the 500 mark on the petition - yay!

sb6699 · 08/02/2011 23:29

I'm 497 - only 3 more so keeping this bumped.

NumberFuckerUpper · 08/02/2011 23:33

I'm 498 - have spent many happy hours at Deen City Farm. Would love to get my hands on that cafe though.

parceque · 09/02/2011 07:59

Mabye we should form an MN cafe takeover team...

NumberFuckerUpper · 09/02/2011 09:09

I would be so up for that parceque

NumberFuckerUpper · 09/02/2011 09:09

And then we could take over the wimbledon park cafe too which could be divine!

Wombly · 09/02/2011 09:37

What do you think of the National Trust cafe in Morden Hall Park? That's pretty good = they cook the veg they grow. Service is a bit desultory, but the food is yum. And the best tip I got from an OAP with a dog - the terrace outside is a real suntrap - you get a load of vitamin D if you sit out there.

But yeah, an MN cafe takeover. Would it feature lemon drizzle cake?

NumberFuckerUpper · 09/02/2011 12:07

Morden Hall Park, food good and prepared close to source as much as possible. All a bit tired though - and they could cater more for children without losing the oap trade.

NumberFuckerUpper · 09/02/2011 12:07

And YES to lemon drizzle and ironic pombears.

TheHouseofMirth · 09/02/2011 22:28

I still haven't emailed the bloke in charge of DCF .

I was thinking with all the hoo ha (sp?) about the 'power' of Mumsnet in terms of national campaigns that we ought to be able harness that publicity-wise? I think it could be great in the future if each Mumsnet Local had its own grass roots campaigns and we in Merton could be the trailblazers!

Those who are with me on the cafe front, do you think you'd go to DCF more often if lunch options were not so grim? I think if there was a good lunch on offer then it would make a great family-friendly lunch destination and could be a real money-spinner for them. I know it's not a working farm but it does seem ironic that the food on offer is very processed and far removed frm its origins. I'm not suggesting they should put Daisy the Cow on the menu but it is another aspect of education, surely?

OP posts:

NumberFuckerUpper · 10/02/2011 09:59

I agree, I would use it much more often if the cafe had a far greater range of fresh foods, and was more inviting. It always feels like a necessary evil rather than a treat. It could be a real money spinner too - you're right.

Think of the difference between eating at 'It's a Kids thing' and Dene City. I'm always astonished at how many places pay so little attention to their food provision, Horton Park Farm anyone???

TheHouseofMirth · 10/02/2011 10:06

Eugh Horton Park Farm!! Though I don't mind the food at Bocketts - their sausage casserole is yum...

I also dislike the staff at DC Farm sitting outside the cafe smoking.

OP posts:

gottasmile · 15/02/2011 11:46

Any news re. DC Farm?

I'm relatively new to the area and have been meaning to take the dc (waiting for nice weather)

The idea of a lovely, healthy cafe is very appealing and I'm sure would boost business.

I signed the petition and will be going this half term. It is still open isn't it?

Unrulysun · 22/02/2011 21:48

I am very :( that DCF is threatened. I agree that the local press might like the Mumsnet angle given how often it's been in the nationalnews recently.

dcfeducation · 04/05/2011 17:09

We are so glad you enjoy your visits to Deen City Farm and thrilled you have been signing the petition. For those of you who haven't it can be found on our website www.deencityfarm.co.uk.

With regards to our cafe, we are currently recruiting for a new cafe manager. We appreciate your comments on the cafe and are bearing this in mind. It is increasingly difficult to cater for the needs of every person we see in the cafe and in quiter months the amount of food we could have left over could become an issue.

We would be grateful if you could let us know what you would/would not like to see on the menu and any tips on how we can over come wasted food.

If you are interested in our cafe vacancy it can be found here:

www.deencityfarm.co.uk/Catalyst_Site/0D_Vacancies/0D_Vacancies

Many thanks and I look forward to hearing your responses.

dcfeducation

felicity10 · 05/05/2011 12:59

The petition has moved and is now here petitions.merton.gov.uk/epetition_core/view/Farm

Dean City Farm Cafe - things you could do..

more high chairs, there are only 3 and that makes it hard to stay for lunch if none free
food - why not just get a selection of annabel karmel food, it can freeze and cook from frozen so no waste?
it is quite hard to see what there is when you are on your own, there is a queue and you've left a child at the table - would menus on the table be possible?
donations - just a thought, but could you not put up a sign which says a figure for a suggested minimum donation? I can understand why you don't but I know that we've been with visiting friends and they are amazed that you don't charge - or offer a membership - which after all would leave you a regular income stream.

-parking - could you mark out some spaces, I know there is not a lot of space but people park randomly and when busy there are gaps between the cars which could have been parked more closely.
-why not advertise your activities on here? I've lived here 3 years and have an 18 month old but only heard of you about 6 months ago.

Hope that helps....good luck

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dcfeducation · 05/05/2011 13:30

Many thanks for your feedback it is greatly appreciated.

dcfeducation · 05/05/2011 14:44

Just to let you all know we have holiday programmes running over half term including Discover the Farm which can be booked here:

esp.bookings.merton.gov.uk/AB/an/default.aspx/BookingHome/?fs2s=HYkK8gJHyLg

Thats for anyone who may have 8-12 year olds who are interested.

Lambzig · 09/05/2011 13:50

Have signed the petition. I love Deen City Farm and am really enjoying introducing my daughter to visits there.

I agree that some sort of 'Friends of Deen City Farm' annual membership would be a great idea. I would sign up straight away.

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