Oscar hope is for meat and two veg

Garden Friends Farm Shop in Roxton and Woburn Country Foods in Haynes have both been nominated for the Countryside Alliance’s Rural Oscars award scheme for their work during 2011.

Both businesses have reached the regional finals for the East of England.

Val Howson runs Garden Friends Farm Shop, which is based at Roxton Garden Centre, alongside her husband Mark.

She said: “I think we were chosen because everything is from Bedfordshire. Unlike some other farm shops you won’t find oranges and bananas – we are not a delicatessen.”

Meanwhile, Woburn Country Foods has been selected for the butcher category. Director, Helen Rallie-Davies, said: “It was a complete surprise and we still don’t know who nominated us. It’s great that someone has recognised us.”

The regional winners will be chosen towards the end of the month.

To read the full story see the Biggleswade Chronicle of Friday, February 3.