Anthea Turner opens Oasis Farm Waterloo

The farm has been created on a previously derelict patch of land owned by Guy's and St Thomas' Charity once earmarked for the controversial Founder's Place development.

The Oasis charity founded by Baptist minister Steve Chalke has been granted a five-year lease to use the land for a community farm.

Launched in partnership with Wiltshire-based Jamie's Farm, Oasis Farm Waterloo is currently hosting a sow and her piglets as well as ewes and lambs.

"By sowing the seeds of sustainability and planting a foundation for the future, we have high hopes that the farm will grow into a centre of adventure and excellence for the whole community," said farm manager Sally Scantlebury.

"Not only will it give school children access to rural and agricultural experiences that it might otherwise be difficult to come across in Waterloo but it will also provide new and interesting opportunities for families and community members to come together.

"Sustainability is at the heart of what we do and the farm is designed so that everything we grow or produce can be put to good use or reused or recycled."

The farm is part of Oasis Hub Waterloo, which includes a church (Oasis Church Waterloo) primary school (Oasis Academy Johanna) and secondary School (Oasis Academy South Bank).

A regular schedule of public access to the farm will begin in the autumn.

Local residents can visit the farm on Sunday 7 June between 1pm and 4pm as part of Open Farm Sunday and The Big Lunch.

Oasis Farm Waterloo is at the junction of Royal Street and Carlisle Lane.