| 2008 East Midlands regional winners |
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Northamptonshire businesses have won every title in the Countryside Alliance Awards at regional level. The four businesses will now vie for national titles against winners from the rest of Britain. The East Midlands region consists of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire, and the county’s enterprising spirit has impressed judges in an unprecedented clean sweep. Local Food Award: Elliotts Kitchen, Towcester 01327 350 454: Regional Judge Tracy Casstles commented: “This is the gold standard of local food stores: a great butcher shop with a commitment to the local farming community, a deli and much, much more in fantastic surroundings. Elliotts offers a fantastic, diverse product range, which is largely locally sourced and staff are a friendly yet knowledgeable group who richly deserve to win. I highly recommend their cheese and onion quiche!”  ALL-UK COMMENDATION!! Village Shop / PO Award: Shop@Stanwick and post office, Stanwick www.theshopatstanwick.co.uk 01933 622055. Tracy says: “The friendly reception you receive at the shop, coupled with the village’s belief that Vernon and Steve have breathed fresh life into the community make them worthy winners. The new shop only opened in 2007 but has already made a colossal difference to the local community - one elderly lady told me that she so much enjoys going to the Post Office and shop now, that she looks for an excuse to pay another visit! With Post Offices under threat, this positive attitude is encouraging, and you just know that Vernon, Steve, Neil and the team will put their all into making this much-loved venture work long-term.”Traditional Business Award: F.E. Coales and Son, Kettering 01832 732567. Tracy says: “Several generations of the same family work in this wonderful butcher at Twywell, and the commitment to quality of produce and traditional butchery skills, customer service and support for the wider community make this butcher a cut above the rest. They believe that a butcher is for all the year round, not just for Christmas, and I have to agree.” Enterprise Award: Muddy Matches, Wellingborough www.muddymatches.co.uk 01933 311500. Tracy says: “Two enterprising young sisters have set this niche online dating and social networking website which launched in March 2007. Aimed at country-minded, or ‘muddy’, people in the UK and Ireland it is going from strength to strength. As Lucy Reeves said “We realised we would have to be innovative and generate our own employment if we wanted to live on the family farm and in the countryside we love.” This sort of spirit encapsulates what this category is about – lateral, positive thinking. I think Lucy and Emma really deserve national recognition for their dynamic flair!” |
