Our Story

At the end of 1983 David and Linda Deme sold their newsagents businesses and taxi company in London and bought Water Lane Farm in Chegworth, Kent. Originally part of the Leeds Castle Estate, the farm had previously been a dairy farm, but despite having no prior farming experience, David changed the farm’s purpose to arable, planting 8 acres of sprouts, followed by potatoes, courgettes and grain. Early in 1985, 2,500 chickens were added but auctioned off 18 months later when the price of feed became prohibitive.

Always keen to diversify and try something new, in 1985 David planted 10 acres of Bramley apple trees and started to supply his fruit crop to supermarkets and wholesalers. He gradually added more apple trees, introducing different varieties to provide a broader offering to his customers.

In 1997, after a poor harvest due to heavy frost, David and Linda took out a loan to buy a juice press and the first batch of Chegworth Valley Juice was made. The initial 150 bottles were taken to the local May Fair at Headcorn and sold out almost immediately. Sensing the opportunity, more apple trees were planted and pear, plum and soft fruits have followed over the years, as well as the replanting of many of the original orchards.

In 1999 David and Linda and their two young children Ben and Charlotte, met Nina Planck who, as well as being the then US Ambassador’s speech writer, was setting up her first farmers’ market in Islington, London. The Deme family took a stall at the market and as Nina set up more London markets, Chegworth Valley expanded with her. Over time, soft fruits, vegetables, herbs and salad crops have been added to meet increasing demand at farmers’ markets (Link to Farmers Markets) and to help expand the range of blended juices produced.

Today the farm is managed by Ben and Charlotte but both David and Linda are still activity involved on a day-to-day basis. The third generation of Deme family, Indigo, Ophelia and Gracie, can also often be found at the farm, germinating seeds or picking fruit at harvest time.

We currently offer a delicious range of 17 different farm-pressed juices, and supply both these and our hand-picked fruit to shops, wholesalers, hotels and restaurants across the UK.

You can also find our juices, fruit and vegetables at our shop at London’s famous Borough Market and at over 17 weekly farmers markets across London including Notting Hill, Pimlico and Wimbledon.

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1983

Water Lane Farm

David and Linda Deme sell their newsagent and taxi business in London and buy Water Lane Farm, Chegworth.

1987

The Great Storm

Many trees are lost in the Great Storm of October 1987 and gradual replanting takes place over the next 5 years.

1992

First cold stores

The first cold stores are built at the farm.

1997

The first 150 bottles

The apple crop is virtually wiped out by severe frost. David and Linda buy their first juicing press. The first 150 bottles of Chegworth Valley Juice are pressed and taken to Headcorn Mayfair. They sell out in hours!

1998

Selling juice

Most weekends are spent with the family touring various Kent craft fairs and garden shows selling juice, with some weekends more successful than others!

1999

The red van

David and Linda set up their first Chegworth Valley stalls at Borough Market and Islington Farmers Market. The whole family travels to London with the produce for the day in the red van.

2001

First trade deliveries

Chegworth Valley are now attending 7-8 London Farmers markets each week and start their first trade deliveries to restaurants and bars.

2003

Trade shows

Trade really takes off, partly due to the success at trade shows such as The Restaurant Show, Country Living, BBC Good Show and Henrietta Greens Food Lovers Fair.