Urban farm charity meets specially branded bus courtesy of Oxford Bus Company

Oxford Bus Company is showcasing the work of Oxford City Farm following the unveiling of a specially branded vehicle.

In June, the community urban farm charity was announced as the runner-up in Oxford Bus Company’s 2026 Brand the Bus competition.

Oxford City Farm, based in East Oxford, provides opportunities for people to engage with farming, animals and nature, while increasing access to fresh, nutritious and affordable food, and reduces food waste through sustainable farming practices.

The runner-up prize package secured by Oxford City Farm is valued at £20,000, and includes a rear bus advertisement on a double-decker, digital on-bus advertising, and a three-month advertising campaign with Brand the Bus partner Get Radio.

Oxford Bus Company invited trustees and volunteers from Oxford City Farm to the bus operator’s Cowley depot for the unveiling of the rear bus advertisement.

Plans for the farm were conceived around 2008, with volunteers gradually starting to reclaim the derelict Cornwallis Road site. Crops were grown and a 40-year lease for the site was secured in 2016.

Oxford City Farm repurposed its main building from a local school and opened a community kitchen in 2021. Operations expanded after Covid-19 and the farm is now a busy community resource.

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.”

Brand the Bus is now in its eighth year, and entrants were whittled down from 71 to 10 after close to 9,000 public votes were received in April. A panel of experts then reviewed the top 10 to determine the winner and runner-up.

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Oxford City Farm for the unveiling of the specially branded bus.

“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.”

Brand the Bus partners Get Radio and Oxford City Football Club joined the unveiling of the branded bus at the Cowley depot, and will work closely with Oxford City Farm in the coming weeks and months.

Hamish Law, Commercial Director at Get Radio, said: “One of the great strengths of Brand the Bus is that it gives charities of all sizes the chance to reach a much wider audience.

“By providing valuable advertising opportunities, it helps charities raise their profile while keeping their resources focused on the communities they serve.

“Oxford City Farm has such strong roots in its local community, and we’re delighted to help share its story through Get Radio. It’s a brilliant example of the kind of local charity this initiative is so well-placed to support.”

Chris Williams, Head of Partnerships at Oxford City Football Club, said: “Oxford City Farm is an inspirational place doing great work in the community. There are strong connections to what we do ourselves as a football club and we look forward to building a long-lasting relationship with them as a result of this year’s Brand the Bus.”

At the end of September, Oxford Bus Company unveiled a fully branded double-decker showcasing the work of Brand the Bus 2026 winner Sobell House Hospice. The charity, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care.

Previous winners of the Brand the Bus competition include Girlguiding Oxfordshire, Home-Start Oxfordshire, Blue Skye Thinking, Restore, SeeSaw, Oxford Hospitals Charity and One-Eighty.