Rookley Farm expands livery offering with a grant awarded by the Council
Rookley Farm in Up Somborne has expanded its livery services with a £25,000 grant from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) awarded by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC). This funding has supported a project costing over £50,000, enabling the farm to enhance its facilities and diversify its income streams.
The grant has facilitated the construction of new stables, a tack room, muck trailers, paddocks, and an electric gate. With 11 stables now fully occupied, Rookley Farm has seen significant demand for its livery services without the need for advertising. The installation of the electric gate has improved security and safety. The horses are being rotated through the paddocks to maintain the grass properly. The horses are supplied with hay and straw produced on the farm and the horse muck is used to fertilise the arable fields.
Tom Monk, owner of Rookley Farm said, "The grant has been instrumental in accelerating the expansion of our livery business. Without this funding, the project would have taken much longer to complete. We were delighted to use local businesses for the build and we are now helping local horse owners to keep their horses close to where they live ."
Mid Test ward Councillor Alison Johnston from Test Valley Borough Council said, "We are pleased to support Rookley Farm through the Rural England Prosperity Fund. This grant has enabled significant improvements to the farm's livery services, contributing to the local economy and enhancing rural infrastructure. It's great to see such positive outcomes from this investment."
The Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and provides capital funding for rural business and rural communities. TVBC received just over half a million pounds which has been distributed between businesses and community organisations across the rural areas of our borough to help develop our rural economy.
