Countryside Alliance Rewards Local Food Heroes

The Countryside Alliance handed out its “Rural Oscars” at a Parliamentary reception on Wednesday 3rd February. British titles have gone to businesses from Cumbria, Yorkshire, Worcestershire and Dumfries, political awards went to Sir Alan Beith MP and Philip Dunne MP and the Rural Hero of 2009 Award went to Lincolnshire’s Agricultural Chaplain, Rev Canon Alan Robson. The fifth annual Countryside Alliance Awards were launched in September and attracted a record 2.500 nominations from across Britain. Regional winners were declared in December and those winners went forward to the grand final, judged by Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Simon Hart along with Clarissa Dickson Wright, Farmers Guardian Editor Emma Penny, Daily Telegraph commentator Charlie Brooks and British Food Fortnight Director Alexia Robinson. Simon Hart announced the winners at a packed reception which was attended by all regional winners, keen to add a British title to their regional one.

Winners in the food and agro-produce departments are as follows:

Local Food Award: Beadlam Grange Farm Shop and Tea Room, Pockley, Yorkshire. 01439 770303.


Simon Hart says: “This Award goes to a family run farm with total commitment to local produce, the surrounding community and the future of farming. To help their children have a career in the industry, this family gave them the best possible start, converting the foldyard into a farm shop and tea room which is now a much-used for a variety of different events, from Young Farmers Club parties to craft fairs and local schools’ days. The produce speaks for itself and is truly the best: all beef and sheep are from the farm and the local abattoir is only four miles away, meaning all meat can be hung on site and butchered by the resident butcher. The tearoom serves a huge variety of traditional dishes and you can be assured a huge Yorkshire welcome whenever you visit from owners Mark and Jenny Rooke.”

Highly Commended: White Haywood Farm, Herefordshire.



Daily Telegraph Traditional Business Award: The Greyhound Inn, Grizebeck, Cumbria 01229 889224 Simon says: “A unique initiative, this is a community-run pub which I think can provide a model for other struggling village pubs. Rather than see their local pub falter, Grizebeck’s locals pulled together and saved it. This is especially impressive when you consider how many local pubs are closing every month. Initially run totally by volunteers, it is now once again a thriving traditional village pub which forms the centre of the community, running events such as quiz and music nights and serving local produce. Saving the Greyhound has brought together people from different parts of the local area to work with a common focus, and in doing so they have saved something which, if lost, may never have been revived.”

Highly Commended: SW Doughty Butcher, Doddington, Kent.


Rural Hero of 2009: Canon Rev Alan Robson, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. Simon says: “This year’s Rural Hero is someone for whom serving the countryside isn’t so much a job as a calling, having been Lincolnshire’s Agricultural Chaplain for the past 10 years. He formed the Lincolnshire Farmer Support Group, which is run by a group of volunteers with a wide understanding of farming issues and offers a confidential telephone helpline. As well as this, Reverend Canon Alan Robson works with local groups to support the migrant worker population which contributes significantly to the area. Alan’s most recent achievement is the Epic Project, a centre for innovation to explore new technologies and responses to global warming. The centre was his brainchild and through his determination the £6.2 million building which was opened last summer. Alan Robson is a heroic character with a passion for agriculture, food production and pastoral care.” Highly Commended: Tim Rollings, owner of Fishers Farm Park in West Sussex, for employing and encouraging over 30 young people a year at his rural educational park.