The city farm in the heart of Merton
Plus: The Old Frizzle launches a new beer in aid of inclusive sport
Good morning, Wimblers — I hope that everyone has had a lovely week!
This week, The Wimble visited Deen City Farm. The farm has been a free resource for our community since 1978 and is perhaps one of Merton’s greatest assets. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to run a project on a shoestring budget, and they’re currently looking for donations to keep the farm alive. If you have anything to give, please do take a look at their appeal here. And scroll down to read about my day with the goats, rabbits, cows and other lovely animals at their farm.
We’ve got your usual news snippets, a lovely property of the week and some great recommendations for the days ahead as the sun (hopefully) continues to shine.
It’s Mother’s Day this weekend, so if you have a special day planned, please do send in your photos with a little caption to zak@thewimble.com to be featured next week.
Other than that, happy reading!
News snippets 🗞
⭐️ Ssam Ssam at 149 Merton Road, SW19, has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, an award recognising restaurants that serve high-quality food at an affordable price. It was just one of 37 restaurants awarded a Bib Gourmand in February’s announcement. Check out the news here and the restaurant here.
🍺 The Old Frizzle has launched a new community beer, Legacy Lager, in aid of inclusive sport across London. Livelyhood, the parent company of The Old Frizzle (which owns several pubs in south London), says it marks a “meaningful commitment” to community, inclusion and sport. The beer will be rolled out across all of Livelyhood’s pubs, with 50p from every purchase of a Legacy Lager going towards South London Laces, a women’s and non-binary football club built on community and inclusion.
🛀 Rituals opened in Wimbledon Quarter yesterday at 10.30am. The shop embraces the art of soulful living and aims to be your compass for personal wellbeing. Their bath, body and home products are designed to help you connect and bring more balance to your body, mind and soul.
📊 Merton Council has passed its budget for the next financial year. From April, the main element of council tax will be frozen from April. However, the picture may not be as rosy as it seems. On the issue of council tax, Lib Dem Opposition Leader Anthony Fairclough said, “People may be relieved that it is not five per cent, but they still know they are paying more.” Check out MyLondon for the full story.
🕺 In a new interview for LondonNow, the founders behind Merton’s Dementia Discos have explained the origins of their impactful initiative. Siblings Kate Darby and Nick Shaw started the project when they couldn’t find a dementia-friendly music activity for their father. They then decided to launch their own Dementia Disco in 2019, moving online during the pandemic before going back to face-to-face meetings. Check out their website. The next disco is on Sunday 22 March from 2.30–4.30pm.
🤳 A mobile repair shop in Mitcham wants to become an ‘artisan boutique’ so it can sell alcohol. Vijaykumar Patel, the owner of the businesses at 256 London Road, initially applied for an alcohol licence in January. Concerns were raised by the police that an alcohol licence would encourage drinking on the street in an area already suffering from anti-social behaviour. A month later, Mr Patel changed course and introduced the idea of an ‘artisan deli’ that would still serve alcohol. However, in February, PC Avril O'Brien said, "My opinion is that only since I have highlighted the licensing policy around the Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) exceptions have you now adjusted your business to fit." Read more here.
Property of the week 🏡
This three-bedroom flat set within a Grade II listed building was once the home of Sir Edwin Saunders, the esteemed dentist of Queen Victoria. It’s all about opulence with this property. Just look at the front facade of the building — it looks more like something the National Trust might own than a home. It’s the bay windows that do it for me. Just look at the view. But how much does this extravagant flat cost? No less than a cool £2.275m. Check out more photos here.
The Wimble’s to-do list 🎁
🎨 Drawing Enchantment: Workshop: Join Wimbledon Museum Artist in Residence Alastair Gordon as he shares valuable tips for creating observational drawings, using artefacts from the museum as subjects. Break down complex forms into simple shapes, lines and tones, and discover how the process of drawing unlocks the enchantment found in everyday objects. Tickets are £20 per person.
Where: Wimbledon Museum
When: Saturday 14 March, 10.30am–12.30pm
💐 Rituals opening celebrations: Join Rituals for their opening celebration this Saturday and enjoy special treatments, exclusive offers and surprises. The first 50 guests who make a purchase on the day will receive a goodie bag filled with products from Rituals’s award-winning collection.
Where: Wimbledon Quarter
When: Saturday 14 March, 10.30am
🕺 Broadway Boogie at YMCA: Join Broadway Boogie for our unforgettable, show-stopping musical megamix class. This is a high-energy dance fitness workout inspired by musical theatre from stage and screen. Learn iconic routines from legendary musicals like Grease, Six, Mamma Mia, Moulin Rouge, A Chorus Line and more. Book your spot here.
Where: 196–198, The Broadway
When: Saturday 14 March, 9.30–10.30am
🌷Free tulip giveaway for Mother’s Day: This Saturday from 10am–3pm (or until stocks run out), those visiting Wimbledon Quarter can pick up a free individually wrapped tulip to gift to a mum, grandmother, guardian or any special maternal figure who deserves a little appreciation. Tulips will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so the Quarter recommends arriving early to avoid missing out.
Where: Wimbledon Quarter
When Saturday 14 March, 10am–3pm
🥂 Nyetimber masterclass at Amathus: If you haven’t tried Nyetimber yet, what are you doing? It’s a heavyweight among the English sparklings, and this masterclass gives you the chance to sample their world-renowned selection, including the Tillington Single Vineyard and the 1086. Tickets are £45 per person.
Where: Amathus, Wimbledon Village
When: Wednesday 18 March, 6.30–8pm
🐴 Holistic horse care: This is your chance to spend a calm 75 minutes connecting with horses in a safe and relaxed environment. The session begins with an introduction to horse behaviour, including flight instincts, body language, and how horses perceive their surroundings. Then you will move on to hands-on time with the horses, guided by experienced instructors, where you’ll learn the basics of safe handling and grooming, observe how horses respond to calm, consistent communication, and discover techniques that promote horse well-being. Note that there is no riding involved. Tickets are £40 for non-members. Book here.
Where: Wimbledon Village Stables
When: Saturday 21 March, 1.45–3pm
🍃 Great British Spring Clean Womble Walk: The Wombles Walk is a new fun family trail exploring the Commons and its landmarks, while litter picking along the way. Find all the hidden Wombles and you’ll collect a treat. You’ll even have the chance to meet one of the Wombles. Entry costs £3 per person.
Where: Home Burrow by the Ranger’s Office
When: Sunday 22 March, 11am–4pm
‘An oasis in the heart of an urban landscape’: A day at Deen City Farm 🐐
Deen City Farm has been serving the community of Merton since 1978. For almost 50 years, the farm has been a free oasis in the heart of an urban landscape, where children can interact with animals for the first time, young people can learn about the environment and adults can find a calm connection with nature in between their busy lives. The farm offers work experience for over 244 students a year, 64 per cent of whom identify as disabled. They also welcome over 146,000 visitors a year (for free), support volunteer opportunities for over 190 people a year — of those 43 per cent in 2023/24 were unemployed and 56 per cent identified as individuals with additional needs — and host students who have lost their desire or ability to thrive in the mainstream education system.
As a registered charity, Deen City Farm has faced financial pressures over the past few years, and it needs our help to continue its wonderful work. The farm has just launched its spring appeal — which you can donate to here — and is always on the lookout for donations. I still remember visiting Deen City Farm with my school when I was around 6 years old. And speaking to the team over email last week, I realised that I hadn’t been back since. A visit was long overdue, and so on Tuesday afternoon, I hopped on the 200 bus to pay our friends at the farm a timely visit.
It’s a bright Tuesday afternoon as I cross the River Wandle and make my way through the gates of Deen City Farm. I’m here to meet Roxanne Cullen, the leader of the farm’s visitor services teams. I find her in the office, where staff wander from room to room covered in hay and other bits of detritus from a hard day’s work. She introduces me to Maria Day, land and livestock manager, and the three of us make our way towards the edge of the farm’s five-acre boundary. The land we’re standing on is called Bunces Meadow and is owned by the National Trust, and the farm has been here since relocating in the 1990s.
Maria points at two cows lounging on a stack of hay. “That’s Meg and Brie,” she says. “They’re our Shetland cows. Are you catching the last rays of sun?” she calls out to them. “Like everything from Shetland, they’re a little bit smaller than your average cow — not that cows ever come in ‘small’. These girls are basically two big organic lawnmowers.” Roxanne explains to me that the overarching mission of the farm is education. Children, often those who have never had the opportunity to see livestock before, are taken on guided tours around the farm. They get the chance to interact with the animals, feed them and learn about the phases that different breeds of livestock go through.
“The children love the sheep and cows because that’s what they’re used to seeing in books, but the goats are always the most fun. Goats are basically like dogs. Each one has its own unique personality.” The farm has nine goats: six pygmy, two Golden Guernsey, and one Nubian — a big fella called Jet (also known as “bag snatcher” on account of his cheeky tendency to steal bags of feed from the hands of children). I notice a ram in a separate paddock. He’s staring directly at me. “What does this little guy want?” I ask. Maria points at the plastic ball between his hooves. “He thinks you want his treat box, so he’s showing you that it’s his.” On cue, the ram begins pawing the ground.
The three of us step inside the goat enclosure and immediately the goats flock around Maria. It’s clear that the staff at Deen City Farm has a special relationship with their livestock, a relationship that is often forged over many years of hard work and caregiving. Fox, a Golden Guernsey, walks towards me and Roxanne explains that all I need to do is put my hand out and stroke her. We spend a good five minutes chatting about the goats. They’re excellent climbers, mischievous and naturally inquisitive — a dangerous combination. “That’s why the climbing apparatus is in the middle of the enclosure. If we put it by the sides, they would just jump out and escape,” says Maria. She also tells me that you can always tell which goat is boss by the length of its beard. The longer the beard, the more authoritative the goat. To make sure hierarchy is maintained, the goats will bite the beard hairs off a lowlier member of their herd.
We leave the enclosure and wander past two donkeys that were previously fighting over a welly boot. Then I meet the ferrets, guinea pigs and Continental Giant Rabbits. The rabbits are only a year old but they’re significantly bigger than your average bunny. They’re a curious bunch, and after sniffing my coat, the fluffle decides that I’m alright. We then walk past the chickens — one of their rare breeds here is the Indonesian Ayam Cemani, a chicken with black feathers, skin, meat and organs — as well as a pheasant who doesn’t really seem to know what’s going on.
I ask Roxanne why she thinks the farm has managed to last so long. “A couple of years ago, we had a massive electrical problem where we lost a lot of electricity coming into the site. We were forced to ask the public for help, and what we found was that the farm really resonated with the local community. We had people writing in saying things like, “Please don’t go. We need you here. I’ve got memories from when I was a child of this place!” I think that’s what keeps us going. We’re part of the heart of this community. We’re free to enter, we’re always accessible — and we want to keep it that way. We’re next to one of the most deprived areas in the borough, and so we’ll always steer away from charging people to come here. It’s also why our riding lessons are subsidised.”
The riding school is a significant part of Deen City Farm. Joanna Henbrey has been running the school for 20 years, and with 12 horses and ponies, it’s no small operation. Lessons are offered to beginners as young as two years old and go all the way up to expert adult riders. They’ve even got RoboHorse: an equestrian simulator that helps people get to grips with horse riding if they don’t fancy getting on a living creature. I’m tempted to give it a go, but we’re running out of time.
After a few hours at Deen City Farm, it’s clear to me how important this oasis is for our community. The work that they do — which you can read even more about here — supports all of us, and will continue to support us for years to come if we support it in turn. Not everyone is in a position to give, but if you are, I urge you to have a look at their appeal and offer what you can. We’re incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful resource in our borough, not least at a time when cuts and closures across the capital are in abundance. And even if you can’t give, do treat yourself to a visit at the farm. It’s free, and it really is a perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Deen City Farm is open Tuesdays–Sundays from 10am–4.30pm. Check out their about page to read more about the farm’s mission and the work they have already achieved.
Question of the week 🔍
Last week, I asked you which restaurant in Wimbledon has been awarded a Rosette. The answer: The Orangery at Cannizaro House, though I understand why many of you assumed it was The Black Lamb (their food is excellent).
Q: What year was the District Line in Wimbledon opened (clue: it was the same year that it opened in Wimbledon Park)?
You’re up to date 👋
Thank you for reading this week’s edition of The Wimble. I hope you enjoyed our feature on Deen City Farm. Do pay them a visit if you get the chance, and donate to their appeal if you can. Other than that, have a great rest of the week and we’ll see you next time.