Countryside Alliance Awards

Champion coverage for CA Awards champions!

 Keep up with some more of the excellent coverage the CA Awards have generated following the 7th March Parliamentary finals. 

The Leinster Leader reported "Top of the Chops for Kilcullen butcher Nolan", quoting owner James Nolan on being crowned the best butcher in the UK & Ireland: “It was a surreal and wonderful feeling to be there, representing Kilcullen. I had to pinch myself. There I was surrounded by Lords and Ladies, and me a butcher from Kilcullen in the midst of it all.  We’ve won lots of awards before, but this was the cherry on top.” http://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/business/top-of-the-chops-for-kilcullen-butcher-nolan-1-3623659

The Ilkley Gazette reported that the Princess Royal has asked to visit CA Award winning butcher Lishman's of Ilkley on her forthcoming tour. Read why in "Beer and bangers on the menu for Princess Anne's visit to Ilkley".  http://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/news_local/9592255.Beer_and_bangers_on_the_menu_for_Princess_Anne_s_visit_to_Ilkley/

The Salisbury Journal published a piece entitled "Crown for Ludwell stores" quoting owner Jo James as saying: “We were surprised as we’re quite a little shop. All the customers were very supportive and thought we would win but we didn’t think we would get right through to the national finals. I would like to thank all our customers and staff who have supported us so much throughout the competition."  http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/salisbury/salisburynews/9588162.Crown_for_Ludwell_stores/

The Grocer magazine published a piece entitled: "Nolan's is best butcher bar none" reporting that "Irish butcher Nolan’s of Kilcullen has been named the best butcher shop in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales at the Countryside Alliance’s annual awards in London. Nolan’s beat 3,000 other entries to secure the win."  http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/companies/traditional-retailers/nolans-is-best-butcher-bar-none/227266.article

In early March the Daily Telegraph, supporter of the Village Shop/ Post Office Award, revealed the category winner to be Ludwell stores, reporting ".....more than 1,000 people a week come to shop here. And the minute you walk through the door, you know why." Read "Countryside Alliance Awards: Britain’s best village shop" by Chris Middleton http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/9125981/Countryside-Alliance-Awards-Britains-best-village-shop.html

Coverage from across Britain for our Champions!

Coverage is strong this year - read on for local news stories about Regional Champions in the Leinster Express, Redditch Advertiser, Keighley News, Bradford Telegraph & Argus, East Anglian Daily Times, Gazette and Herald in Yorkshire, Ripon Gazette, Midhurst & Petworth Observer and the Northumberland Gazette. 

Kirdford makes the front page!

Kirdford Stores' victory in the South East Village Shop category has made the front page of the West Sussex County Times.  Village shop in line for an ‘Oscar’. Sue Ransley, chair of Kirdford Village Stores, said: “We are amazed and delighted to receive this award - this is such a popular and well supported initiative run by an organisation that is so well respected amongst rural communities."

The Oxford Mail lauds Foxbury Farm Shop

The Oxford Mail has reported "Farm shop wins gong at 'rural Oscars'". The report read: "Foxbury Farm owner Colin Dawes said “We are all delighted. “With the doom and gloom in the country, it is a great start to 2012 to win such a prestigious award in a competition which is fiercely competitive.” Countryside Alliance regional director Michelle Nudds said: “Colin and his team’s passion for reconnecting people with our countryside is something the Countryside Alliance is proud to support.”