North Acomb Farm Shop is one of four Northern
regional finalists in the “Butcher” category, Northumberland Honey + Sovereign Nectar Meadery in Haltwhistle is one of four in the “Local
food/drink” category, and Blanchland Post Office is one of five in the “Village
shop/Post Office” category.
The Awards are an annual celebration of rural produce,
skills, enterprise and heritage through our small hard-working businesses. This
is now the twelfth year that the Rural Oscars have been awarded, and it has
become the definitive and most prestigious rural business award to win. The
Awards have successfully highlighted the diversity of rural enterprise and the
determination of rural communities to survive and prosper, often against the
odds.
This year, over 7,500 nominations were received across the
country, meaning these finalists really are the best of the best. It is clear,
therefore, that these 3 outstanding small businesses in Northumberland are truly
appreciated by, and important to, local communities.
Each business that has reached regional finalist status will
now be visited by the judges. Regional winners will be announced in February, and
will then advance to compete against other regional winners in their respective
categories in the national finals. There will be a winners’ reception held at
the House of Lords in London on Wednesday 22 March 2017, where the overall
national winners of each category will be announced. I am so proud that we have three of the Northern regional finalists, and I am sure that all of you will join me in
wishing them the very best of luck in the further stages of the competition.
