Help Us

Dear Friends and Supporters

Urgent Appeal: Help Us Restore Power and Keep Our Farm Running

Earlier in the year I wrote to inform you of the major problems we have had with our power supply and many of you kindly sent us a donation towards fixing this. I’m reaching out once again to share an update on the ongoing challenges we’re facing and to ask for your continued support.

Over the last few months, we have spent some time ensuring we understand the problem and looking at the options for a solution. It is now confirmed that to fix this problem we will have to replace about 150 meters of electric cabling which was installed over 30 years ago, that runs from the other side of the river Wandle to the farm offices. Replacing this cable, along with digging a trench to lay it and updating control boards, comes with a hefty price of approximately £50,000.

Thanks to your generosity, we have managed to raise £23,000 towards this project but we still have a considerable shortfall. While we're exploring avenues for additional support including the power supplier, we anticipate that the bulk of the expense will fall on us.

It's challenging to face such an unexpected hefty financial bill, especially amidst other pressing needs like rising operational costs and necessary security upgrades for our farm perimeter. Your continued support is crucial in helping us overcome these challenges and ensure the smooth functioning of our farm.

If you can help us by donating, it will allow us to get the farm back to its full capacity by mending our electrical problems, as well as letting us complete our other urgent projects and ensure that we continue to welcome our visitors back to the farm every day.

If you're able to contribute, no matter the amount, your donation would make a meaningful difference. You can donate through our JustGiving page.

Unfortunately, the new year didn’t start very well for Deen City Farm & Riding School as just after Christmas we had a major fault with our electrical supply system. We have tracked the fault down to one of the high-capacity electrical cables that supplies electricity to the farm.  

The good news is we have managed to make temporary repairs, so we are now open again, but we have to replace the faulty cable. This will include running a new high-capacity cable from the UK Power demarcation point to the farm office which includes digging a long trench and routing the cable across the bridge. These are very significant repairs to make, and we are sadly looking at a potential bill of several tens of thousand pounds.  

Winter is an expensive time for us especially as our big animals, the cows, sheep and goats have to spend more time inside and we have to give them a lot more expensive feed, so this is not the best time to have another large bill to pay.  

To help us keep going and to ensure we get all our services back up and running we need your help. Please come and visit us, we are open but can’t run a full service in our café and we are having to use temporary toilets.  

We appreciate this isn’t an easy time of the year for anyone. Whatever you can do to help us is very much appreciated. The fantastic team at Deen City Farm has already worked very hard to get us open and their determination to keep the farm running in the face of one of the most serious issues to affect the farm is fantastic. However without your help we will be struggling, so if you can please help us by making a donation by visiting our just giving page https://www.justgiving.com/dcfarm. 

Many thanks for your time and help it is much appreciated.  

Matt Linden  

Chair of Deen City Farm & Riding School

Charity Number: 1008028

The Trustees wish to appoint as a volunteer trustee a Treasurer to be responsible for the financial well-being, strategy, and financial administration of the charity and specifically to lead in the Trustees’ duty to ensure that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly controlled and disbursed in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

We are looking for a Treasurer who can maintain an overview of the financial affairs of the organisation and ensure that they are legal, constitutional and in accordance with accepted accounting practice. The Treasurer supports internal staff who complete the accounting work, and who are in turn supported by a local firm of external accountants. Reviews of the accounting records are undertaken quarterly. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who have a knowledge of VAT and charity finance.

In addition the Treasurer has the following duties and responsibilities: 

• Make fellow Board members aware of their financial obligations and take a lead in interpreting and presenting financial data to them.
• Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures and controls are in place, including:  
  • Cheque signatories
  • Purchasing limits and systems
  • Payroll actions, including salary payments, PAYE and NI payments
  • Pensions
  • Any other records required, as appropriate 
• Appraising the financial viability of plans, proposals and feasibility studies

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

• Knowledge of and interest in animals and community farms is desirable.
• An accountancy qualification.
• Candidates who are local are desirable, but it is essential that you are able to travel to the farm for meetings, events and the odd day of volunteering.

COMMITMENT

The Board meets every other month, and the Treasurer would additionally be expected to spend a few hours a month engaging with Board business, attending events and supporting fundraising activities. 

HOW TO APPLY

For more information on being a trustee or to apply please contact Henry Nelless, Chair of Trustees, on chair@deencityfarm.co.uk 

For a tour of the farm or information on the our work please contact Emma King, General Manager, on manager@deencityfarm.co.uk

ABOUT DEEN CITY FARM

Deen City Farm and Riding School is an urban farm with an educational focus in the heart of the London Borough of Merton. With over 60,000 visitors a year, our five-acre site includes a farmyard, gardens, riding school, shop, café and small playground. As well as welcoming visitors who want to meet the animals and enjoy the setting, we also work with local schools and community groups to fulfil our charitable aim of improving the lives of everyone in the community. Volunteering is at the heart of the project and we also provide a work experience programme. 

Deen City Farm is a limited company as well as a registered charity. 

The Board of Trustees provides strategic direction and leadership to the organisation. It acts as the guardian of the charity’s vision and supports the staff team.