What a special day. The Providence House team joined the 50th anniversary church service celebrating the beginning of East Shallowford Farm.
Fifty years ago, Elizabeth Braund MBE set up Shallowford Farm for the families of Battersea. She called it a “lung for the city”: a place where children and families from our streets could breathe, explore, get muddy and discover a world far beyond the estates and busy roads they know.
The service was led by Robert Musgrave MBE. Robert was Providence House’s first ever youth worker, and today he serves as a trustee of both Providence House Youth Club and Shallowford Farm. Few people embody the shared story of these two places as he does, and it meant a great deal to have him lead us in marking this milestone.
A vision that is still alive
Half a century on, Elizabeth’s vision is still alive. Young people from Battersea still travel down to Devon, still feel the space and freedom she wanted them to have, and still come back changed in ways that are hard to put into words. This summer, 41 young people from Providence House took part in ten trips, including a residential at the farm.
It was a privilege to stand alongside so many people whose lives have been shaped by the farm, and to give thanks for a woman whose faith and determination opened up something extraordinary for our community.
A new chapter at Providence House
It was also a fitting moment for a new chapter here. We are delighted to welcome Tsion Martins as our new Head of Youth Work. Tsion has hit the ground running, and in his first two weeks he experienced the farm for himself. We cannot think of a better introduction to who we are and what we are about. Welcome to the family, Tsion. We are excited for what is ahead.
Here’s to the next 50 years of East Shallowford.
50 years, 50 people, 50 stories
At last, the book. 50 Years, 50 People, 50 Stories gathers the stories of 50 people whose lives East Shallowford Farm has changed. Fifty years ago this autumn, Elizabeth and Rosemary began the project at Shallowford, and so much has happened since.
To order a copy, email info@providence-house.org or info@shallowfordfarm.co.uk.