Priti’s nominations for Countryside Awards are through to the regional finals

Daymens Hill Farm, a traditional English orchard with a wide variety of apples and pears in Tolleshunt Major and Stantons Farm Alpacas in Black Notley, who breed Alpacas and provide an environment for youngsters of all ages to visit are through to the East regional finals of the Countryside Alliance awards, known as ‘The Rural Oscars’. Their nominations in the ‘Rural Enterprise’ category came about following visits to these rural businesses by Witham MP, Priti Patel. Priti subsequently nominated them for the award scheme and they have both been successful. The Countryside Alliance confirmed their success in a letter to Priti on 9th January 2023.

Priti said: “These are very prestigious awards and I am delighted that two rural businesses in my constituency and nominated by me have been successful in reaching the East Regional Finals. The public will have the ultimate say about who wins and this is an opportunity to show their appreciation for two local businesses who have worked so hard to brighten our lives with recreational activities and good, natural produce to eat. The Rural Oscars received thousands of nominations this year, so Daymens Hill Farm and Stantons Farm Alpacas have done extremely well to reach the regional final and I will be following their progress with pride. My congratulations to them both.”

The Awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of British food & farming, enterprise and heritage through small hard-working businesses. The Rural Oscars are now in their sixteenth year and have become the definitive rural business award to win. They are set apart from other award schemes because they are driven by public nomination, offering customers the chance to tell us why their favourite businesses are worthy of regional and national acclaim. Dates for the commencement of public voting are yet to be announced. The Regional winners go forward to compete against winners from across the country, in the grand final.

Countryside Alliance Awards Director Sarah Lee commented: “We have been overwhelmed by nominations this year. The secret to the Rural Oscars’ popularity is that they honour the people involved in these businesses and not just their produce or services. They exist to sing the praises of those who work hard to keep our communities and rural economy ticking, but don’t seek the spotlight. Our local produce is second to none and there are many community heroes and businesses worthy of national recognition.”

More information about the awards can be found here: www.countryside-alliance.org/campaigns/caawards/

Further information about Daymens Hill Farm is available at: https://www.daymenshillfarm.co.uk/

Further information about Stantons Farm Alpacas is available at: https://www.stantonsfarmalpacas.co.uk/

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