Oxford City Farm bus unveiled after £20,000 advertising prize

A double-decker promoting Oxford City Farm has been unveiled as part of a £20,000 advertising package awarded to the community charity.

Trustees and volunteers visited Oxford Bus Company’s Cowley depot to see the vehicle, which carries a rear advertisement encouraging people to volunteer and donate.

The charity, based on Cornwallis Road in east Oxford, was named runner-up in the operator’s 2026 Brand the Bus competition in June. The new design will help introduce its food-growing, animal care and community activities to a wider audience.

A new audience for Oxford City Farm

The rear of the bus features colourful produce, photographs of farm activities and an invitation to “volunteer and donate”, alongside the message “Let’s grow together”.

As well as the vehicle advertisement, the prize package includes digital on-bus advertising and a three-month campaign with competition partner Get Radio. The £20,000 figure represents the stated value of that advertising support.

Representatives from Get Radio and fellow competition partner Oxford City Football Club joined the unveiling. Both organisations will work with the farm over the coming weeks and months.

Cath Wilson, co-chair of Oxford City Farm, said:

“Oxford City Farm provides an accessible, inclusive and unique way to connect with nature in an urban setting.

“We provide opportunities to experience and learn about sustainable food production and the environment, and to volunteer across a wide range of farming-related activities, including animal care.

“We grow communities as well as food and many who come to the Farm say how vital it is to their wellbeing.

“We are delighted to have won the runner-up prize in the Brand the Bus competition and the opportunity it gives us to spread news about our charity across the whole of Oxfordshire.”

From a derelict site to a community farm

Plans for Oxford City Farm began around 2008, with volunteers gradually reclaiming the derelict Cornwallis Road site and bringing it into use for growing food.

The farm repurposed its main building from a local school and opened a community kitchen in 2021. Its work brings people together through farming, food production and contact with animals and nature.

Alongside opportunities to learn practical skills, the charity aims to improve access to fresh, nutritious and affordable food while reducing waste through sustainable farming.

Its activities include community farming sessions, school visits and supported volunteering. Produce grown on site is also sold through its Saturday market.

How the Brand the Bus competition works

This year’s competition attracted 71 entries, with nearly 9,000 public votes helping to select a shortlist of ten. A judging panel then chose the winner and runner-up.

Oxford Bus Company increased the runner-up package after judging the entries, adding the rear-bus advertisement to the support offered to Oxford City Farm.

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said:

“Brand the Bus is all about raising awareness of the many charities and good causes in Oxfordshire and helping to boost their profile.

“Oxford City Farm is involved in some outstanding work, and it’s been a pleasure to work with them on the design of the bus. It’s going to be fantastic seeing it on our routes across the county.”

Sobell House Hospice was the overall winner of the 2026 competition, receiving a separate advertising package valued at £100,000. Its fully branded double-decker was unveiled at the end of September.

Further details and photographs from the farm’s unveiling are available in Oxford City Farm’s announcement.

How to visit or volunteer at Oxford City Farm

The farm welcomes visitors on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm. Its regular public opening sessions provide an opportunity to look around, meet people and find out about getting involved.

On Saturdays, the farm market sells seasonal produce, eggs and preserves made on site. The café also opens on Saturdays.

People interested in volunteering are asked to complete the application form on the farm’s volunteering page. New volunteers should arrive at the beginning of a session for an introduction and to find out which jobs need doing.

Families are welcome, with adults responsible for supervising their children. Larger groups should contact the farm before visiting.

The charity relies on grants, donations and income from its market to support its work. Information about contributing is available on its donations page.