Please note the following from the Minister of Public Works, Lt. Col. David Burch regarding Westover Farm, “Let me repeat what I have stated repeatedly over the past 2 weeks - the Westover Farm will not be closed down, suspended, or in any way interfered with.
"Mr. Bascome Sr. has been a welcomed, quality and reliable tenant on Government land for decades and both the Farm and Mr. Bascome are a rightful source of pride for Somerset Residents. In fact, Westover Farm’s sausages can be found gracing the menus of authentic restaurants throughout Bermuda that are committed to promoting Bermudian products.
"This Government is determined to support and uplift Black, small and medium-sized Bermuda businesses, not shut them down.
"Once I was able to review the facts and meet directly with Ian & Richard Bascome, I found that there was no issue so significant to the Cabinet that his tenancy needed to be threatened.
"I am grateful to the Civil Servants who acted to ensure Government assets were protected and I am equally appreciative of the tone and tenor of the Bascome’s representation of their interests; I believe we have achieved a win/win for all parties and look forward to the presence of Westover Farm in the community for many further decades.
"I believe we have achieved a win/win for all parties and look forward to the presence of Westover Farm in the community for many years to come.”