Westminster this week - Countryside Alliance Awards, Flood Re, and meeting Woodland Trust

A busy week of debates on the Police and Crime Bill, and various other matters in both Houses of Parliament. I am meeting the Woodland Trust to discuss the ways in which we try and plant more forests and woodland in Northumberland, attending a Housing in the North meeting, and having a long scheduled meeting with the director of operations on behalf of Flood Re.
If you do not know how this groundbreaking scheme is helping to transform insurance in flood affected areas after years of effort to create a scheme then have a read here: http://www.floodre.co.uk
On Wednesday I will be attending the rural oscars, which are the countryside alliance awards, primarily for outstanding village shops. Bardon Mill village store and Blagdon Butchers have both featured prominently these last few years, and I will be hoping for more success for Bardon mill. I also have a number of constituents coming down to Westminster.

Rural Oscars Report - success for Blagdon Farm Shop and Bardon Mill Village Shop

Two weeks ago I was pleased to attend the National Countryside Alliance Awards, also known as “the Rural Oscars”, held in Westminster. Not only was this a fantastic celebration of vital rural business but I was on hand to witness two of our home grown success stories being recognised.

Bardon Mill Village Store and Tea Room, opened only last year by Michael and Dawn Smith [pictured with me], was a finalist in the competitive “Village shop/post office” category and our very own Blagdon Farm Shop won Highly Commended in the Butcher Category.
This is not the first time Simon and his team at Blagdon Farm have been recognised for their hard work and high standards: their apprentice Daniel was recently honoured at Butchers’ Hall in London.

I believe supporting our local businesses is important as they are the backbone of Rural Life. So if you are looking to try a new Northumberland gem do take a look at My Top 10 places to go in Northumberland this summer http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-top-10-places-to-go-in.html
and enjoy what we have to offer.

My congratulations go to Michael, Dawn, Simon, Daniel and everyone who contributed to the success of our local winners.

Congratulations to our 2 local North East Winners of Countryside Alliance awards

The village shop and post office section was won by Bardon Mill Village Store and Tea Room, which was commended for being the “heart of the community”. I have been emailing Michael, who runs the store with his wife and I am pleased to say that they are coming to Westminster with their children both for the awards and a tour of the Houses of Parliament in April.

Blagdon Farm Shop won the butcher category, winning praise for “offering a wide range of the finest meat Northumbria can offer”. Both won their awards for the service they provide to their communities; the Countryside Alliance Awards recognise firms that provide a lifeline to rural communities.
Both go on as finalists in the Alliance’s national awards, which will presented at the end of April.