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Four local businesses are celebrating winning South of England regional titles in the Countryside Alliance Awards and will now vie for a national title against winners from the rest of Britain.
 ALL-UK WINNER!! Local Food Award: Newlyns Farm, North Warnborough, Hook, Hampshire, http://www.newlyns-farmshop.co.uk/ 01256 704128. Regional Director and Head Judge Sara Rutherford commented: “This is a family run farm, farmshop and cookery school plus, plus, plus, and the local message is clear: Own Produce, Local Producers, Regional Producers and then National Producers. But above all it is quality that comes first. The farm shop provides a vital outlet for a variety of local producers and as staunch members of Hampshire Fare, Newlyns aim to stock as much produce as possible from fellow members alongside meat from their farm. Added to this impeccable commitment to local produce is an equal commitment to the local community; Newlyns help raise funds for the local Odiham hospital; employ local people, including young adults with special needs from the Odiham Children’s Home; students from the Robert Mays School regularly carry out their work experience at Newlyns and they are supporters of the Dog Agility Club in Odiham. In addition they grant the use of one of their fields to the local football team. I truly believe Newlyns to be a national contender this year!”
Village Shop / PO Award: Chale Green Village Stores, Ventnor, Isle of Wight 01983 551201 http://www.chalegreenstores.co.uk/ . Sara says: “Since purchasing this business about 3 years ago, the owners have continually focussed on the needs of local people, visitors and tradesman in order to increase their trade. They are currently investing a large amount of money in building a completely new shop for this small village along with a cafe. Many people in the community are responding to this investment by starting to use the shop for most of their purchases rather than driving to the nearest supermarket which is 7 miles away. The owners have also sought to use as much new technology as possible to ensure the new shop has an exceptional environmental performance. I was totally in awe of this shop!”
 ALL-UK COMMENDATION!! Traditional Business Award: Lains Shooting School, Andover, Hampshire,
01264 889467 http://www.lainsshootingschool.co.uk/. Sara says: “Howard Kirby is dedicated to offering safe, knowledgeable and professional guidance on shooting and gun dog handling. Howard has ambitious plans to expand the shooting school and further develop the education side of the business. This will allow Lains to strive forward in passing on the traditional values, skills and knowledge to the next generation of shooters and gundog handlers.”
Enterprise Award: The Old Farmhouse Bakery and Gallery, Steventon, Oxfordshire 01235 831253 www.theoldfarmhousebakery.co.uk Sara says: “This is a wonderful, warm family business: The Old Farmhouse Bakery and Gallery is a fine and much valued example of rural innovation and tenacity. The beautiful homemade breads, local foods and British produced home-wares have put this place on the map as a place for quality, attracting locals and people from further a field to the area. Rodney and Kate turned their own lives around to build up this business, and have created a successful and dynamic enterprise that not only supports them financially but supports their community in so many ways. They have described their community’s support as “overwhelming”, showing what a centre they have become for so many locals. Their support for initiatives such as Bramley Apple Week and Farmhouse Breakfast Week ensure that they are always fresh and seasonally focussed.”
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