COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE

Last week we were proud to be at the NatWest Everywoman Awards at the Dorchester in London. The Awards celebrate female entrepreneurs and have the backing of the Prime Minister, whilst Home Secretary Theresa May MP came to address the reception and acknowledge the female entrepreneurial spirit. In 2010 the Awards were extended to include a rural business category, with the Countryside Alliance being invited to judge that category. We all know that there are very specific challenges to doing business in the countryside and were happy to lend our experience to the Awards. 
Head of Communications Jill Grieve was on the judging panel for the rural "Hestia" Award, and told the audience “the Countryside Alliance believes that where we can give rural enterprise a platform, we can give it a voice.” 
The winner of the award was Sarah Guy, owner of Isle of Wight Campervans www.isleofwightcampers.co.uk. This is a quirky and charming business which hires VW campervans to tourists on the Isle of Wight. Starting in 2007 with just one van Sarah has grown her fleet to 12 and is developing all the time to provide tourists with all they need for their holiday and the local economy with a much needed boost. Sarah ensures local food is provided to visitors, offers them tourist information and even had a local bus stop moved closer to her business to make it easier for visitors. There is also a second part to the business which offers lifestyle courses to visitors, from cookery demonstrations to foraging and woodland courses.
Sarah declared herself “amazed and delighted” at her win and we hope to bring you more about her and her original rural enterprise in the Spring 2012 membership magazine.