The Countryside Alliance Wales held its annual ‘Rural Oscars’ awards ceremony in the Senedd this week (27/02/2024), where several Welsh rural businesses were crowned champions.
The Countryside Alliance Awards – now in their 17th year – recognise rural businesses across five categories, including ‘best pub’, ‘best village shop/ post office’, ‘best butcher’, ‘best for local food a drink’ and the ‘rural enterprise award’.
Montgomeryshire MS Russell George who attended the event said he was not surprised that mid Wales did so well, and that he was proud of all who had won awards and had received high commendations.
Thousands of nominations from around the country were whittled down via a public vote, with the final few being honoured at the Welsh finalists’ awards ceremony on Tuesday 27 February at the Senedd, Cardiff Bay. The awards were presented by Gareth Wyn Jones and Director of the Countryside Alliance Wales Rachel Evans.
Two Montgomeryshire businesses took home first and second place awards in the village shop category. First place went to Llanymynech Village Shop, who owner Duncan Borthwick bought November 2021. It was pointed out at the event that Duncan knew the value of the shop to the community, and he desperately wanted to keep it open for the locals.
A worthy runner up went to R H Bunner and Son Ltd in Montgomery. Now with family members of the 5th generation active in the business and having celebrated 125 years of business in 2017, this fantastic shop is brimming with all types of goods that people travel to buy from all over Wales and indeed from over the border.
A further winner, and for the award of the best Butcher went to Izzy’s Butchers in Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant. At the awards event, Rachel Evans, Director of the Countryside Alliance Wales outlined how a background in gamekeeping fostered a passion for processing and selling game for Izzy Hosking who set up Pennant Valley Game in 2012. Processing her own shot game and from the estate on which her husband was a gamekeeper, saw Izzy at farmers markets and events across Mid Wales.
Two other Montgomeryshire businesses received high commendations in each category. The Dolau Inn, Newtown was highly commended in the Pub category whose Local food is prepared by Chris with their beef coming from just a few miles down the road from Graig Farm complimented on the rest of the menu by Welsh produce from Castell Howell foods. Their award was accepted by their member of the Senedd, Russell George on behalf of the pub team.
The second highly commended business was Mantles Village shop. It was a bittersweet evening for Sue and Steve due to having to close the doors due to escalating costs. They were commended for what they had achieved and for what they gave to the community through the shop.
The winner of each category will go on to represent Wales in the national champions reception at the House of Lords in June, competing against other finalists from Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England.
Montgomeryshire MS, Russell George said:
“These awards are an excellent way to promote the local businessmen and women who are working hard to keep rural Wales thriving. Our local produce is second to none and there are many community heroes and businesses worthy of national recognition.
Congratulations to Izzy’s Butchers and Llanymynech Village Shop on their wins and best of luck at the British finals at the House of Lords.
I know that having worked at Llanymynech Village Shop since 2015, Duncan knows the value of the shop to the community, and he desperately wanted to keep it open for the locals.
I was so pleased for Izzy Hosking, in 2019 Izzy had the opportunity to purchase the local butcher’s shop and in March 2020 the doors opened. With the skills and knowledge of Mark the butcher, coupled with Izzy’s incredible skills for combining flavours and innovative products this business has thrived.
A big congratulations to Bunner’s in Montgomery on their brilliant second place result and to Dolau Inn and Mantles Village Shop on their highly commended recognition.
It was a bittersweet moment for some of the businesses who are or will be closing their doors. It is incumbent on us all to support our local shops and businesses, or we will lose them.
These businesses prove that we have brilliant people providing brilliant services across Montgomeryshire. I am so proud of all who won awards and received high commendations.’’
Rachel Evans, Director of the Countryside Alliance Wales, said:
"This evening was about celebrating our rural communities and the role that these businesses play in keeping them together – their continued promotion of Welsh produce, skills, and rural life deserve all the credit they can get. The Countryside Alliance is proud to be honouring a group of people who about are passionate about our countryside and about providing quality goods, services, and employment to rural communities and beyond.”
ENDS//
