Westover Market Garden takes root with support from the Rural England Prosperity Fund awarded by the council
A new horticultural venture in the heart of the Test Valley is set to flourish thanks to a grant of almost £25,000 from the UK Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), awarded by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC).
The Westover Market Garden, based at Westover Farm near Stockbridge, marks a bold addition to the farm’s traditional arable farming. The funding has helped establish the garden by supporting the purchase of polytunnels, fencing, gates, a mobile packing shed, fruit trees, and essential tools.
Owner, Will Liddell is a former GP who is passionate about growing and selling food locally as a sustainable alternative to imported produce. The garden will supply high-quality fruit and vegetables to local restaurants, village shops, and campers staying at the adjacent site.
Speaking at the official opening, which was attended by potential customers and supporters, Will said: “It makes so much more sense to grow food locally than fly it in. I want to do what I can on my patch. I am so grateful for the REPF grant and for Test Valley Borough Council’s support. I could not have taken the risk to do this project without it.”
Will is also a member of the Andover Food Partnership and has ambitions to use the garden as a space for community learning and wellbeing. In time, he hopes to launch a gardening club and host educational visits for local schoolchildren to learn about food production and sustainability.
Councillor David Drew said: “This is exactly the kind of project the REPF was designed to support—local, sustainable, and community-focused. It’s inspiring to see someone like Will take such a bold step to make a difference in his local area and highly commendable that local shops and restaurants are being supplied from this market garden.”
Councillor Alison Johnston added: “Westover Market Garden is a fantastic example of innovation in rural enterprise. It’s not just about growing food—it’s about growing community, education, and wellbeing too.”
The UK Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund that provides capital funding for rural business and rural communities. TVBC received just over half a million pounds up to end March 2025 which has been distributed between businesses and community organisations across the rural areas of our borough to help develop our rural economy. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus