Nominations are being invited for the Countryside Alliance Awards which support rural businesses, food and farming.

Nicknamed the 'Rural Oscars', they celebrate people going the extra mile to ensure that Britain’s traditional skills, enterprises and rural communities flourish.

Oxfordshire County Councillor Liam Walker is calling on the community to nominate businesses.

He said: “We’re so lucky to be surrounded by beautiful countryside on every side of Oxfordshire and to have so many local businesses who work year-round within the rural economy.

"These awards are an excellent way to promote our village shops, country pubs and butchers who source their meat locally.

“We have so many community heroes and businesses worthy of national recognition, so I’d encourage everyone to get involved and nominate a business today.

"Let’s see if we can bring a British title home and tell a positive story about Oxfordshire's rural community.”

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He cited a report in September published by Rural Services Network, which revealed rural communities have higher domestic and transport energy poverty, and lower wages, which pushes rural areas into a cost-of-living emergency.

"Therefore, it is vital that businesses and entrepreneurs from these areas are recognised as being nominated as businesses will receive regional and national recognition, strengthening the reputation of their brand," he said.

The categories are the Local Food Award, Village shop/Post Office award, Rural Enterprise Award, Butcher Award, and the Rural Pub Award.

The applicants are judged on criteria including their passion and commitment, sense of community, championing local food and the energy and diversity of their business.

The winners will be announced on May 17, 2023.

To nominate go to: www.countryside-alliance.org/our-work/rural-awards/caawards

 

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