Julian Smith, Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, is encouraging shops and businesses from Ripon, Masham and Nidderdale to enter the Countryside Alliance Awards, nicknamed the ‘Rural Oscars’.
The Awards celebrate people in rural communities going the extra mile to ensure that rural Britain’s food and farming industry, small businesses, traditional skills, forward-thinking enterprises and, most of all, its people, can flourish.
Julian said:
These Awards are an excellent way to promote the local businessmen and women who are working hard to keep rural Britain ticking here in North Yorkshire.
Our local produce is second to none and there are many community heroes, shops and businesses worthy of national recognition, so I would encourage everyone to get involved and nominate today.
Last year Dale Stores in Birstwith was the Yorkshire champion in the Village Shop / Post Office award so I hope my constituency can continue its success.
The Awards run across the following categories:
1. Local food Award
2. Daily Telegraph Village shop/ Post Office Award
3. Enterprise Award
4. Butcher Award
5. Start-up Award *New* for 2012 – for businesses who have been trading less than 18 months
Nominations are open online at www.countrysideallianceawards.org.uk until 29 October 2012.
