The Wurzles donated a Christmas tree to Vauxhall City Farm and performed seasonal songs in front of Lambeth school children today, as part of a campaign to promote the work city farms do for London’s children.
It was the highlight of a day which saw the West Country icons serenade wholesalers and growers at New Covent Garden Market and take a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament.
The renowned cider drinkers played Christmas classics, Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer and Jingle Bells, and others from The Wurzels Christmas Album, with their accordions, banjos, and trademark drawl next to a bloomin’ great big red ‘traaahctor’ in front of Vauxhall City Farm to highlight the value of city farms in educating children about the countryside.
Wurzels singer, Pete Budd, told Londonist:
“There are a lot of London children who haven’t see the countryside and some who’ve never seen a real cow! We think it would be great if there were more of these places all over the country so people can come along to see what they do.
“I really believe the kids enjoy themselves when they come along to city farms and write little essays on it. They can experience what I’ve always had living in the countryside."
He also said there was still time for adults to get involved in the countryside and farming, adding The Wurzels had been involved in grown up schemes such as Land Share for years.
Very well behaved year four pupils from the nearby St Anne’s school joined the Wurzels in a sing-a-long to their favourite songs and helped decorate the Christmas tree under the careful watch of the farm's Donkey, Lucky.
Hannah Townshend, education coordination at Vauxhall City Farm said they were very grateful to The Wurzels for donating a Christmas tree, adding: “We thought we wouldn’t have a tree this year because we're just funded by charity. It’s been a brilliant day."
The Wurzels Christmas Album is out now and their single Sleigh Ride is released 18 December. They play the O2 Academy Islington tonight (6 December) phone 020 7288 4400 for ticket availability.
Photo's by David Newbury
