| 2009 Wessex regional winners |
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Businesses from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire and two from Dorset are celebrating winning a regional title in the fifth annual Countryside Alliance Awards. The four businesses now go forward to the Grand Final and are up against fellow regional winners in a bid for the British title. The Countryside Alliance Awards celebrate the characters, skills, traditions and enterprise of the countryside through the people who work so hard to make it tick. 2009’s Wessex champions are: 1. Local Food Award: Neston Park Farm Shop, Atworth, Wiltshire http://www.nestonparkfarmshop.com/ 01225 700881. Head Judge Delly Everard commented: “Phenomenal quality produce and impeccable attention to community are the benchmark at this very special shop. Aside from their fantastic supply of local food, it is the attention to the family and children that really struck me at Neston Park, in particular their positive attitude towards informing the next generation about the countryside. A nature trail has been set up in the Farm Shop grounds and children are encouraged to get close to the pigs, cows and sheep, and learn where their food comes from and the benefits of low food miles.” 2. Village Shop / Post Office Award: Blockley Village Shop & Cafe, nr Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire http://blockleyshop.com 01386 701411. Delly says: “Blockley is a fantastic example of how a village shop can survive. The community-owned shop has 580 members who took it on two years ago and held fund-raising events to raise money for the refurbishment. This wonderful village shop is thriving, despite the current downturn, because it is such an important element in village life. There is a real-sense of community in Blockley – no dormitory town here – and incorporates so much more than just providing a pint of milk and loaf of bread”. 3. Daily Telegraph Traditional Business Award:. Mendit Rug and Tack, Piddlehinton, Dorchester, Dorset www.menditsaddlery.co.uk/ 01305 849070. Delly says: "Hayley and Pete Legg are absolutely passionate about their business and pride themselves in workmanship going beyond patching items and insuring they are repaired to the standard they were first made. Pete trained as a saddler and the core business activity is to wash, repair and reproof horse rugs and saddlery items and they carry out a weekly collection within a 50 mile radius. How encouraging to see that traditional work can be adapted to suit today’s modern demands, and that there are people who are willing and able to provide a personal and professional service without being old-fashioned.” 4. Rural Enterprise Award: The Gaggle of Geese, Buckland Newton, Dorset www.thegaggle.co.uk 01300 345249: Delly says: “The Gaggle is a clear winner for our Enterprise Award. The Gaggle has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, and really serves the community – whether its providing Sunday newspapers to the village, a take-away fish and chip service, an OAP lunch club and even hosting the village school Christmas lunch for 100 children, this is a village pub plus, plus. Mark and Emily are constantly coming up with ideas that the pub can offer and have even more plans for the future – watch this space. It now incorporates a Farmers Market, Craft Fair and Beer Festival. Since they have owned the Gaggle of Geese, the Hammicks have raised over £10,000 for local charities and put a much needed heart into the community.” |
