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2008 Wales winners Print E-mail
Four Welsh businesses are celebrating after being announced winners of the all-Wales titles in the Countryside Alliance Awards. A reception was held at the Senedd in Cardiff on 27th January 2009 and the Awards were handed out by Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones AM. These winners will now vie for a national title against winners from England and Scotland at the all-UK Reception, to be held at the Houses of Parliament in London on 18th March 2009.

Teifi and Jenny take an all-UK commendation in London, and celebrate with Welsh CA Director Rachel EvansALL-UK COMMENDATION! Local Food Award – Llwynhelyg Farm Shop, Sarnau, Ceredigion  http://www.llwynhelygfarmshop.co.uk/ 01239 811 079
Llwynhelyg is a gold mine of Welsh foods, heavily stocked with local produce and supported by products from all over Wales . Local people play a large part in the success of the shop not only as loyal customers but also as suppliers and staff. Llwynhelyg often take in surplus garden harvests to sell in the shop but only of the highest quality, local ladies bake for the shop and existing customers readily fly the flag by promoting the array of goods available and excellent customer service by recommendation. Welsh food hampers delivered to local holiday lets are prime example of the promotion of Welsh produce. Llwynhelyg return their support by working closely with local schools, providing fruit “tuck shops” and often have visits from schools, colleges and others wanting to set up their very own farm shop. Ceredigion’s own Welsh Larder.

The Morgans sweep the Awards at UK level, adding to their all-Wales title ALL-UK WINNER! Post Office/Village Shop Award – Morgan’s Newsagents and Post Office, Llangadog, Carms http://www.llangadog.com/ 01550 777697
Win and Richard Morgan have once again retained the standard of service and choice to their customers. This really is more than just a post office and newsagent. The most recent venture is the sponsorship of a police surgery that Win & Richard host for their community free of charge bringing the police “back on the beat” in the local community. The internet cafe has now developed in to a FREE I.T learning centre, lessons are provided free of charge and lessons on how to use a digital camera have proved to be so popular that the waiting list is over a month! Two groups have been set up from the shop and post office, an evening supper once a month for those living on their own or are new to the area and a luncheon group for OAP’s. Whether you need a fishing permit for the local angling club, your BT bill sorted, dry cleaning, keys left for house minders, a bite to eat or a chat with your local “bobby”, Llangadog Village Post office and Newsagent has it all.

Mr Jones receives his Traditional Award Daily Telegraph Traditional Business – E.T Jones and Sons and Daughter, Holyhead, Anglesey 01407 740257
Tradition is important in this family run business which is now entering Its fourth generation of butchers each one handing down their trade and coping with the development and rule changes necessary to today’s food chain. Not only is the shop full to bursting with wonderful fresh produce, their carbon footprint is minimal too with the meat coming from farms within a ten mile radius of the shop. Housing their very own abattoir has enabled them to retain the traceability of the food from “field to gravy”!.  Customers come from neighbouring counties and it is without a doubt that their services to the local community have helped them retain their business. Placed in the centre of the village their enthusiasm and commitment to providing a quality, traditional service is the heartbeat that makes sure they survive.

Pete and Angie Turner of Creation Gardens went one better on their commendation in 2007 Rural Enterprise Award – Creation Gardens, Nantmel, Powys, http://www.creationgardens.co.uk/ 01597 825853
Creation Gardens is an enterprise that is evolving all the time. There is no room for complacency or time to sit still!! Not content with their garden centre and tea rooms baking wholesome homemade food and selling local produce, or their garden shop where goods are sourced from the UK, Creation Gardens will also now host Wales’s very first “camping pods”. 12 camping pods complimented by an amenities building will bring visitors to this rural area and a welcome boost to the local economy. Having been thrashed with rain for the last two summers the business needed to move forward. The tea room turns in to a Bistro, just once a month, to keep a steady flow of bookings and interest. Whilst all this is going on, Creation Gardens still finds time to help local schools develop their gardens, support local charities and committees and give talks to local groups.