2008 South East of England winners

Four local businesses are celebrating after being declared winners of the South East titles in the Countryside Alliance Awards. Local Food – Local Food winner - Village Greens Farm Shop , Ockley, Surrey, http://www.vgfarmshop.com/ , 01306 713474 Regional Director and Head Judge Michelle Nudds commented: “Catherine and James Dampier had a “Good Life” sort of conversion, and set up this shop a couple of years ago. They work tremendously hard, source everything they can locally, grow their own stuff, and the food is wonderful - seasonal vegetables in tip top condition - and with TASTE! They have made tremendous efforts to publicise their shop and it has paid off - it's crowded at weekends and they are not averse to selling you stuff outside their official opening hours which is great - if the door is open you can go in.  So, not only are they successful in starting up and running a small shop which sells local food, in a village which has no bus service they have dramatically reduced the weekend trips into Dorking for the supermarket shop.  James and Catherine are prepared to work with and promote other local businesses – the dried fruit specially made for the shop is now supplied to a number of other outlets in the area a real rural enterprise.” Post Office/Village Shop - Danehill Post Office and stores, West Sussex, 01825-790263 Michelle says: “This shop was nominated because of the fantastic service they give to a wide community, serving as Village Shop to 10 villages. Wonderful friendly people and an excellent example of a post office that has diversified to become as many services as it can possibly get in. The coffee shop with internet connection is a great example of growing with customer needs, and Danehill is a worthy winner in this category.” Daily Telegraph Traditional Business – SW Doughty, Doddington, Kent, 01795 886255 Michelle says: “Although they are previous winners of their region and gained Highly Commended in the finals, they continue to deserve praise to be heaped upon them. The Doughty family are rightly proud of selling high quality meat and produce from (very) local farms, including eggs, milk, cream, cheeses, and preserves.  Also local fruit and vegetables to match the season.  Their turkeys are reared in their own orchard next to the shop where geese can also be seen roaming around under the trees. This is a truly traditional shop with the meat hanging from hooks and a huge butcher’s block.  We believe it is important that children are given sight of this style of retailing to make them aware of where meat comes from and that it is not so+mething that just turns up in blue plastic trays covered in cellophane.  It also teaches the youngsters that shopping need not just be something where you run round a supermarket, throwing things in a trolley at speed.  Shopping can be sociable, fun, relaxing and educational. In the current climate of emphasis on local shopping, supporting local suppliers, reduction of packaging etc, Doughty’s tick all the boxes.” Best Rural Enterprise - Hadlow College Broadview Tearoom , Tonbridge, Kent, http://hadlow.stage.neoworks.co.uk/content/bv_tearoom.html 0500 55 14 34 Michelle says: “Five years ago Hadlow College was on the brink of insolvency, facing closure or, at best, amalgamation with another college. However, revitalised management and a loyal and motivated lecturing team, has turned around Hadlow’s fortunes so that it is now one of the UK’s leading land-based colleges. This came across in the visit to the tearooms. The actual tea rooms are open 7 days a week and provide excellent service to the college but also the local community.  All meals are home cook and where possible home grown. The cooking team is hands on and will go that extra mile.”