Mill is in the running for a rural ‘oscar’

The Broom visitor attraction is among the finalists in the 2015 Countryside Alliance Awards which will be announced at the House of Lords in the Spring.

The Awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of rural produce, skills, enterprise and heritage through small hard-working businesses.

They are now in their eleventh year and have become the definitive rural business award to win.

The Awards are public-nomination led across four categories: Local Food; Village Shop/ Post Office; Butcher and Tourism Enterprise – in which Jordan’s Mill was nominated. Thousands of nominations were received and the judges have selected ten finalists in each category.

Jordan’s Mill was described in one nomination as “an outstanding development, showcasing the restored mill, local farming, local produce supplying a busy coffee shop. A new community hub for local and visiting families. As well as the restored mill, fantastic gardens and grounds giving a history of farming and local crops.”

Countryside Alliance Awards director Jill Grieve commented: “The finalists are all exceptional. We have been overwhelmed by nominations this year, so for Jordan’s Mill to make the finals is a huge achievement. 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. The team at Jordan’s Mill are a very good example of all that’s best about local businesses. We are delighted to offer this platform to enable people to say “thank you” to them for all they contribute.

“We look forward to seeing them at Parliament in April and wish them well as judging gets underway, there are going to be some hard decisions ahead.”

Tourism Enterprise finalists

>Dalegate Market, Norfolk

>Jordan’s Mill, Bedfordshire

>Drusillas Park, East Sussex

>Harveys Brewery, West Sussex

>The Burnham on Sea Food & Drink Festival, Somerset

>Thame Food Festival, Oxfordshire

> Shrewsbury Food Festival, Shropshire

> Loyton Lodge, Devon

>New Lodge Farm, Northamptonshire

>Narrow Waters, Cambridgeshire