Good Food for all
Hunter - on behalf of Simon Hart | 19.01.2007 08:59 | Culture | Ecology | Health
With Hunting participation at an all time high in Britain (who would have thought the Hunting Bill would have done that ?) It's the time of the year when the Counryside Alliance hands out its "Rural Oscars". The article below from Simon Hart lists what is involved.
For the first time the competition has been run over four categories, meaning that we now have 13 regional winners in each of these categories:
Best Local Food Retailer
Best Village Shop/ Post Office
Best Diversification
Daily Telegraph Best Traditional Business*
These 52 retailers now have a chance at a national title, and the national judging panel, led by Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Simon Hart, will soon be considering each one in turn. The panel's decision will be announced in February.
Thank you to everyone who took the time and trouble to vote for your retailers - nominations have been diverse, touching, funny and, in many cases, inspirational. Over 2,000 nominations were received for the 2006 competition, all for retailers of exceptional calibre, and each one heartfelt. The competition aims to applaud those who go the extra mile for their community and rural life, and we feel it is hugely successful in doing so. The feel good factor the competition has generated amongst the communities it has touched has been incredible.
*The Daily Telegraph will announce the winner of its category in a Weekend section feature on 3rd February 2007, whilst the other three overall national winners will be announced at a House of Lords reception in February 2007.
For the first time the competition has been run over four categories, meaning that we now have 13 regional winners in each of these categories:
Best Local Food Retailer
Best Village Shop/ Post Office
Best Diversification
Daily Telegraph Best Traditional Business*
These 52 retailers now have a chance at a national title, and the national judging panel, led by Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Simon Hart, will soon be considering each one in turn. The panel's decision will be announced in February.
Thank you to everyone who took the time and trouble to vote for your retailers - nominations have been diverse, touching, funny and, in many cases, inspirational. Over 2,000 nominations were received for the 2006 competition, all for retailers of exceptional calibre, and each one heartfelt. The competition aims to applaud those who go the extra mile for their community and rural life, and we feel it is hugely successful in doing so. The feel good factor the competition has generated amongst the communities it has touched has been incredible.
*The Daily Telegraph will announce the winner of its category in a Weekend section feature on 3rd February 2007, whilst the other three overall national winners will be announced at a House of Lords reception in February 2007.
Best Rural Retailer competition - "the Rural Oscars"
As you read this I will be chairing the national judging meeting at which the Best Rural Retailer competition winners of 2006 will be decided. Each of the regional winners will be considered by the national judging panel, which consists of the Government's "Rural Tsar" Dr Stuart Burgess, Ecologist Editor Zac Goldsmith, Daily Telegraph Associate Editor Simon Heffer, British Food Fortnight Director Alexia Robinson and Farmers Weekly Deputy Editor Mike Stones - an experienced panel each with their own speciality. We will be looking, category by category, for commitment to community life (Best Village Shop/ Post Office), for passion in the sale and promotion of local food (Best Local Food Retailer) and for the vision and energy to keep rural life viable (Best Diversification). The Daily Telegraph Best Traditional Business category has already been decided, and you will be able to read about the winner, and their determination to preserve our rural heritage, in the Telegraph Weekend section on Saturday 3rd February.
The 2006 competition attracted a colossal 2,000 nominations and the press coverage it has received so far has reached over five million people. What is clear from the feedback we have received is that this competition matters to people. Hard working retailers tend not expect to be honoured and are therefore thrilled by the recognition, and the public is delighted to have an outlet through which personalities and hard work can be rewarded. This is something the Countryside Alliance is delighted to effect - the countryside is, after all, about people and the "rural Oscars", as Simon Heffer described the competition, are an excellent way to celebrate our communities through our retailers.
The winners decided today will be informed at a House of Lords reception on 7th February and I will reveal all in the grass e-route on the 8th. The "feel good" factor this competition has generated cannot be overstated - we all deserve to take stock and congratulate ourselves occasionally, and our Best Rural Retailers richly deserve this recognition.
As you read this I will be chairing the national judging meeting at which the Best Rural Retailer competition winners of 2006 will be decided. Each of the regional winners will be considered by the national judging panel, which consists of the Government's "Rural Tsar" Dr Stuart Burgess, Ecologist Editor Zac Goldsmith, Daily Telegraph Associate Editor Simon Heffer, British Food Fortnight Director Alexia Robinson and Farmers Weekly Deputy Editor Mike Stones - an experienced panel each with their own speciality. We will be looking, category by category, for commitment to community life (Best Village Shop/ Post Office), for passion in the sale and promotion of local food (Best Local Food Retailer) and for the vision and energy to keep rural life viable (Best Diversification). The Daily Telegraph Best Traditional Business category has already been decided, and you will be able to read about the winner, and their determination to preserve our rural heritage, in the Telegraph Weekend section on Saturday 3rd February.
The 2006 competition attracted a colossal 2,000 nominations and the press coverage it has received so far has reached over five million people. What is clear from the feedback we have received is that this competition matters to people. Hard working retailers tend not expect to be honoured and are therefore thrilled by the recognition, and the public is delighted to have an outlet through which personalities and hard work can be rewarded. This is something the Countryside Alliance is delighted to effect - the countryside is, after all, about people and the "rural Oscars", as Simon Heffer described the competition, are an excellent way to celebrate our communities through our retailers.
The winners decided today will be informed at a House of Lords reception on 7th February and I will reveal all in the grass e-route on the 8th. The "feel good" factor this competition has generated cannot be overstated - we all deserve to take stock and congratulate ourselves occasionally, and our Best Rural Retailers richly deserve this recognition.
Hunter - on behalf of Simon Hart
Homepage:
http://www.bestruralretailer.co.uk
