Farm work as physical therapy
“Involve, involve, involve,” Farm co-founder, David Walters, remembers an old man whose aches and pains seemed to disappear when lending a hand clearing the site in…
Our roots
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Late 1980s 
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Mid 1980s
Getting everyone involved
A sketch of the former building by main Farm gates. This area is now where the Farm shop extension is built. As co-founder of Hackney City…
Early 1980s
Spinning and weaving
Email from Victor Oesterling and Lesley Brookes 12/12/14: ‘Hi Charlie, Saw your page in the Citizen so I thought I would send you a line. My…
Read moreEarly 1980s -
Early 1980s 
Pulling a rabbit out of a hat
At the Farm’s original opening day, there weren’t many animals, though there were some rabbits that co-ordinator David Walters had brought from a friend in Somerset. With…
Early 1980s
The site 1984
David Walters, farm co-ordinator took these photos in 1984. David and other volunteers helped find this place for a city Farm in Hackney. They had worked…
Read moreEarly 1980s 
Mr. Jeakins – site history
Mr Jeakins etched his name in the cobblestones. He and his brother managed Jeakins Road Transport Haulage Contractors at the Farm site up to the 1980s. It was said he etched…
Mid 1980s The first AGM – cover page
The first Annual General Meeting was held at St. Chad’s Church. Meetings sometimes took place there in the mid 80s while the Farm site was being re-built.
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Early 1980s
Winning the hospital round
David Walters, who has been involved in Hackney City Farm from its very first days, explains how the farm nearly stumbled at planning stage because of…
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Early 1980s
The importance of working well with others
David Walters, one of the founders of Hackney City Farm, talks about establishing the Understanding City Farms working group, as a way of sharing skills and funding training.
1970s
Street Party – former Boston Street
1977 This street party for the Queen’s Jubilee was in Boston Street. The terraces on the street were removed in the 1960s and prefabricated housing, ‘The…
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1950s
Streets now and then
The interview was made in 2014. The women speak of streets they grew up in – some still near the Farm, others disappeared.
1950s -
1950s
Fellows Court Estate beginnings
A local resident tells us about the beginning of Fellows Court Estate and the area around E2. Recorded as part of the Stepping Out project 2014-2015.
1950s
Photographer’s Studio next to Essex Place, 1948-55
Email and photo received 14th of May, 2016: Hi there. I visited your farm last Saturday 7th May 2016, just as part of a nostalgic trip…
Read more1950s
Hackney City Farm yard
The cobblestones in the yard are from the days it was West’s Brewery. Then, horses and drays would have loaded barrels of beer in the yard. The photo below shows West’s…
Read moreEarly 1900s Early days the Farm entrance
The Farm entrance is just to the far right of the above photo.
mix of dates
Streets around Goldsmiths Row
This above picture shows the former Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children on Hackney Road and the corner of Goldsmiths Row. This is on the left-hand side….
Read moreEarly 1900s 
Some wonderful pictures from Major EJ Wests collection of photographs of West’s Brewery
There is a whole album of pictures that we have been allowed to post here by Major West’s grandson…here are the first few…more to follow ….taken…
Read more1800s
Tile factory – Tuilerie Street
Tuilerie Street and Boston Street were located on the site of the Farm and Haggerston Park. In 1898 they were occupied by well-to-do boot, cabinet and…
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