LJ Betts Ltd has an extensive and interesting history and heritage which has shaped the way the business operates today.
Our History
1066
The Manor of Offham (Now known as Church Farm) was held by a brother of King Harold named Alnod.
1086
The Manor of Offham was owned by Odo, Bishop of Bayeux and farmed by a Saxon tenant named Anschitil, an Archdeacon of Rochester, a ‘Qusiling’ collaborating with the Normans. He transported produce to his house in Rochester and sold surplus to the townsfolk there.
1250
William de Offham held the Manor of Offham along with the Manor of Godwell.
1300
The Manors were shared between Robert de Courtone who took Offham and his brother Richard who took Godwell.
1313
Robert de Courtone passed the Manor of Offham to Ralph de Ditton. (The two Manors were then under separate ownership until being once again united under the ownership of Laurence J Betts Ltd).
1320
Ralph de Ditton granted the Manor of Offham to his daughter Isabella who married Thomas de Plumsted, also known as ‘Guodchepe’ (good chap!).
1413
It is thought that The Manor of Offham was in ownership of Sir John Colepepper.
1484
Sir Richard Colepepper died owning the Manor and passed it down to his three daughters.
1500
The Manor was sold to Thomas Leigh of Lyminge.
1545
John Leigh, the son of Thomas Leigh, exchanged the Manor with Henry VIII.
1546
The Manor was sold to John Tufton, Esq. of Hothfield, in whose family it remained for 350 years.
1901
The Manor was bought by Colonel Sopher Whitburn of the Addington Park Estate.
James Rayner Betts (Mayor of Maidstone 1909/10) of Otham took the tenancy at Church Farm, Offham. The family were apparently one of the 12 largest growers of Hops in the country and had been farming at Otham for 500 years.
1908
The farm was being managed by Laurence J Betts until he departed to serve in The Great War from 1914 to 1918. He then returned and continued running the family farm.
1923
The Betts family purchased the farm from Colonel Sopher Whitburn. Many large estates broke up during this post-war period.
1930
Laurence J Betts Ltd was formed as a company. Hop production ceased and vegetable growing began.
1945
The introduction of pedigree dairy cattle and Romney sheep.
1949
Stewart R Betts joined the farm and introduced the breeding of pedigree large white pigs, whilst continuing the production of vegetables and salads.
1977
Stephen J Betts joined the farm and managed the pedigree pig herd until 1980.
1981
Livestock production ceased.
1982
Stephen J Betts returned from Africa to manage the daily running of the farm. The company then specialised in growing salads and vegetables.
1985
Ian S Betts joined the farm and managed the machinery, agronomy and cereal production.
2013
Nick Ottewell was appointed as Farm Manager to oversee the daily activities of the farm while Stephen J Betts was the CEO
2014
Investment into brand new cold storage and packing facilities took place at Church farm.
2023
The business was acquired by the Regan Family who are the owners of Hugh Lowe Farms Ltd, a neighbouring soft fruit farm. Marion Regan takes over as Managing Director and Nick Ottewell continues as Commercial Director. LJ Betts will continue to supply a wide range of fresh and flavoursome salads.
