Countryside Alliance - love the countryside

Four local businesses are celebrating winning West Midlands 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: Glyn Slade-Jones Butchers, Kington, Herefordshire 01544 230470. Regional Director and Head Judge Clare Rowson says: “Glyn and his team’s commitment both to local, seasonal produce and to his Herefordshire community is clear. All of the many nominations we received for Glyn praised his top notch meat, burgers and sausages, but also his courtesy, good humour and willingness to go the extra mile for his customers. The warmth and loyalty is evident between producers, customers and Glyn himself. He is a true champion of local food and is a worthy winner of this category yet again.”

Village Shop / PO Award: Dorrington Village Stores, Dorrington, Shropshire 01743 718406. Clare says “Owner Steve Morris is extremely popular with his customers for whom nothing is ever too much trouble. This category is all about characters who go the extra mile, who form the hub of their village and who understand the value of a community. Steve is a shining example of what this category is all about. With Post Offices under threat, Steve’s commitment is refreshing.”

ALL-UK WINNER! Traditional Business Award: Wellington Carriage Company, Telford, Shropshire 01952 242495. Clare says: “The Wellington Carriage Company is an incredible jewel of traditional skill and craftsmanship, hidden in a small corner of Shropshire.  All carriages are framed using the best English ash, with traditional wooden wheels, steel leaf springs and leather upholstery. All vehicles are coach painted by hand. Philip Holder's 40-year-old business centres around building bespoke carriages for his clients - he meets their demands and can fit the carriage to any horse or pony. Philip is a Master Wheelwright and a Yeoman to the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights. He is also a very experienced coachman. There can be few more traditional businesses than this- and this quiet, amazingly talented and incredibly humble man deserves recognition.”

Enterprise Award: Rowlestone Court Farmhouse Ice cream, Rowlestone Court, Herefordshire, http://www.rowlestonecourt.co.uk/Ice~Cream.html 01981 240322. Clare says: “This business is proof that no matter what is thrown at dairy farmers they’ll do their best to battle back with innovation. So much effort and investment have gone into creating a business that not only produces delicious local ice-cream, they have transformed their grounds into a learning environment for everyone to enjoy and relax in.”