And, most importantly, the year that a 30-strong group of local residents approached the City Council with ambitious plans - to turn 3.5 acres of overgrown allotments into a community farm for Leicester. Thanks to the group's enthusiasm, and the advice and support of the Federation of City Farms & Community Gardens (FCFCG), the Council agreed! The site was officially signed over to the newly-formed Friends of Leicester City Farm on Boxing Day 1985.

Phase I of the farm’s development began immediately: a successful Urban Programme bid guaranteed the capital to set up the project. This money covered the cost of the buildings, tools and equipment, services to the site and a farm vehicle. Phase II followed a couple of years later, completing the hen house, barn and Buttercup Hill Café.

Two decades on and the farm is now a registered charity, covering 14 acres and is home to a large variety of animals – from rare breed pigs, cattle and sheep to guinea pigs and rabbits. There is also an on-site education room, community allotment plots, a nature trail and 2 play areas for children. Gorse Hill employs 5 staff, 4 of them full-time, and we receive over 30,000 visitors each year!

The farm is constantly developing and improving - in fact, 2006 saw some major changes, courtesy of a Heritage Lottery grant. We now have a new open-fronted building which has a dual purpose: in winter it provides shelter for the animals, and the rest of the year it will be used as an outdoor classroom for visiting school groups. Additional signage and interpretation literature will further add to the experience for visitors, as will an audio trail giving information about the farm’s rare breed residents.

Looking further ahead, Gorse Hill has ambitious plans to build new animal housing and convert the old stables into craft units. The farm is also keen to generate its own power using renewable sources - wind turbines and solar panels. Watch this space!