| 2008 North West regional winners |
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Four local businesses are celebrating winning North West regional titles in the Countryside Alliance Awards and will now vie for a national title against winners from the rest of Britain. Local Food Award: Harrop Fold Farm, Macclesfield, Cheshire http://www.harropfoldfarm.co.uk 01625 560085: Regional Director and Head Regional Judge Richard Dodd commented: “Harrop Fold is a business run with passion. A B&B set on a 20-acre farm, at Harrop Fold Farm you can take a tailored foodie break weekend and watch your supper being cooked, which is an approach I had never heard of before. Leah Stevenson is passionate about cooking and local produce and encourages guests to take part in her demonstrations. I don’t think I have ever heard of this approach and think it will do wonders for food education as well as enjoyment of local, seasonal produce in a beautiful rural setting. A real one-off, and I hope the national judging panel is as enthused as I am!” Village Shop / PO Award: Granthams of Alderley Edge, Cheshire http://www.granthamsfinefood.com/ 01625 583286: Richard says: “A winner yet again! This superb small shop offers mouth watering goods served with a smile. The day after I was there they were holding an English Cheese Festival and they were promoting a range of local products with a passion. The welcome was as warm as toast, the produce was local to Cheshire and I felt they went out of the way to do this. You can see the way the sheets are filled in that they have a passion. It was Mike’s father’s shop and he has come back to take it on, it is a family business! The sort of place where you would make an excuse to visit or change your journey to call in – a real jewel in the community.” Traditional Business Award: Noel Chadwick Ltd, Standish, Lancashire http://www.noelchadwick.co.uk/ 01257 421137. Richard says: “This is a big business that is family run and owned, it has also one of a few remaining places where there is an abattoir at the back and the product moves its way through to the butchers shop and finally to the restaurant. I turned up at 5pm and got a big welcome from the son and daughter and tour of the premises, there was ample parking and the place was immaculate. Evening diners were just sitting down and though the shop was shut people were still coming in and were being served by the daughter. They called this a “food hall” and I can see why, there were local products on display and all were being promoted well. This is a great old-fashioned family run business that still manages to moved faster than the times as it caters to the modern consumer who will not compromise on local food and traceability. This is a complete business yet still feels family and local!”  ALL-UK COMMENDATION IN THE FINAL!!Enterprise Award: Ribble Valley Food Trail c/o Ribble Valley Borough Council, Clitheroe, Lancashire http://www.ribblevalleyfoodtrail.com/ 01200 425566: Richard says: “An absolutely brilliant initiative demonstrating what can be done by forward thinking, and I hope it drives other councils to regenerate regions and showcase the best of their produce. This is a very worthy project where the local Council has woken up to the fact that local food is now on the tourist map. What has happened here is that with a small amount of money the council has gathered up local food producers (with some strict rules) and created a trail taking tourists to where the food is made, sold or served within the district. All who have signed up have noticed an increase in sales. The set-up cost was about £5,000 which is peanuts in the scheme of things, and has breathed new life into the area. The enterprise shown by this initiative is inspiring, because it showcases the “never say die” approach of rural Britain. I strongly believe this should win every award going for it’s sheer optimism, dedication and firm belief in small rural businesses from butchers to restaurants, dairies to bakeries. Tourism and local food are clearly an enterprising match made in heaven.” |
