The Midlands judging panel of Countryside Alliance Midlands Regional Director Clare Rowson, along with county chairmen Ginny Heathcote-Ball and Audrey Steel, are delighted to announce their Best Rural Retailers. Their task was so hard that they have also made commendations:

Best Local Food Retailer
Rightons of Shipston
Sheep Street
Shipston on Stour
Warwickshire
CV36 4AF
www.rightonsofshipston.co.uk
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Clare says: “A wonderful welcome and a wonderful atmosphere – I loved it! There is a simple and dedicated approach to local food at this family-run shop. Julia cooks everything herself - one customer told me her husband has cancer and is intolerant of many things, relies on Julia’s cooked items as Julia knows what she has put in them and whether they will be suitable. Nick says that customers can pretty much pick their beast from the field and the whole community benefits from this excellent shop; it is how local shops should be.”
Highly Commended: Fordhall Farm Shop, Market Drayton, Shropshire www.fordhallfarm.com

Best Village Shop / PO
Great Easton Post Office & Stores
6, High Street,
Great Easton,
Market Harborough,
Leicestershire
LE16 8ST
01536-770309
Clare says: “Edward Hankey, who runs the stores, grew up in the village and is a much-loved figure. Not only does he run the Post Office and do his paper rounds, he also keeps an eye on the welfare of elderly villagers – he recently checked on an old lady who had not been in for a few days, and found her ill so called an ambulance. That is a service that money can’t buy and is why Edward deserves this award.”

Highly Commended: Willersey Stores, Willersey, Worcestershire

Best Diversification
Churchfields Farm
Salwarpe
Droitwich
Worcestershire
WR9 0AH
www.churchfields-farm.co.uk
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01905 451289
Clare says: “18 months ago Gillian Kerton decided to diversify the family dairy farm and now makes award-winning ice-cream. Gillian recently had her second child during the busy summer season, which stretched the family, as it is a very hands-on operation. Against these odds the business has managed to double its turn over this year, and customers are eagerly awaiting the Christmas Pudding flavour!”
Highly Commended: Farndon Fields, Market Harborough, Leicestershire

Best Traditional Business
Malvern Saddle Co.
Little Malvern Saddlery
North Farm
Little Malvern
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR14 4JN
www.saddlethathorse.com
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01684 572485
Clare says: “We really felt that if Robert Jenkins and his small team weren’t here, then the traditional saddle making business in this country would be in danger of dying out. With imports being the norm these days, this outlet which specialises in side-saddles and makes everything from scratch is a phenomenally important traditional business, succeeding against the odds and supporting the equestrian industry in the Midlands. We are delighted to give them this honour, they richly deserve it.”
Highly Commended: EH Spencer, traditional outfitters, Shipston-on-Stour, Worcestershire