2008 South West regional winners

Four local businesses are celebrating winning South 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: Wrington Greens Organic Farm, Wrington, North Somerset  http://www.wringtongreens.co.uk/ 01934 863636. Regional Director and Head Judge Alison Hawes commented: “This is a really exciting outfit, and I am hopeful it will go all the way in these national Awards. The aim is to supply top quality organic produce for the community and, though set up only two years ago, Wringtons already have a loyal and growing customer base. Wringtons only supply local customers to keep food miles as low as possible and cater to the public’s growing environmental awareness. They recycle all our rubbish and are waste-free, only use biodegradable packaging from recycled cardboard punnets to biodegradable mixed salad packs. They also use vegetable-based biodegradable mulch instead of black plastic, which can be plough back into the land. They have built a barn using local green timber, insulated it with sheep’s wool and plan to install solar panels to produce all their own electricity. Exceptional produce and exceptional ethics, this is the gold standard of green.” Village Shop / PO Award: Berrynarbor Community Shop, Ilfracombe, Devon http://www.plunkett.co.uk/whatwedo/rcs/ruralcommunityshops.cfm 01271 882460. Alison says, “This is an inspiring story of a community working together to keep their shop going. When the owner of the shop wanted to sell up, the village started a co-op and sold about £10,000 of shop shares and the owner agreed to rent them the shop for four years. They stock a great range of goodies, local meats, cheeses, fish, honey, jam etc and their prices are sometimes lower than supermarket ones. Visitors can sit and enjoy a hot drink in the cafe area and an internet point is planned. This shop has drawn the community together and is a real inspiration. As one of the co-operative says, “it’s a real community asset and special to everyone in the area - long may it last.” Traditional Business Award: A.M. Hobbs Firearms and Angling, Midsomer Norton, Somerset http://www.amhobbsfirearms.co.uk/ 01761 413961. Alison says: “’Podge’ provides exceptional service and knowledge of a kind not often seen these days. Whether it be rifles, shotguns, game fishing, sea fishing or coarse fishing Podge will go the extra mile to help. Fieldsports are such an integral part of Westcountry life and it is a pleasure to be honouring this shop in the Countryside Alliance Awards.” Enterprise Award: Pipers Farm, Cullompton, Devon http://www.pipersfarm.com/ 01392 881380 Alison says: “Peter and Henrietta Greig are true farming champions and their rejection of intensive farming has unlocked a real enterprising spirit which runs through Pipers Farm. The Greigs are determined to keep growing Pipers Farm and to continue to support the beautiful but vulnerable farming landscapes of Exmoor, Dartmoor and the Somerset Levels, currently ensuring the survival of a network of 30 farms. Pipers Farm combine the integrity of time-honoured traditional farming methods with a completely modern approach fit for today’s consumer. Their on-line next-day-delivery service enables customers to order Pipers Farm meat at the click of a button. They have also developed a range of ready to cook and ready-meals taking convenience food to a new level. The ready meals are made in their on-farm kitchen in small batches using fresh vegetables and herbs and freshly ground spices. They launched a selection of meat hampers for Christmas 2008 and have just launched their Meals In A Mo range – aimed at anyone wanting a quick and healthy meal solution. A perfect blend of enterprise, farming and great taste!”