The Fox in hunt for Rural Heroes award

Peasemore pub shortlisted for service as community shop in lockdown

THE Fox at Peasemore is up for a Countryside Alliance Awards Rural Oscar, following the resumption of judging in line with coronavirus restrictions.

Nominations are usually submitted by local people and national figures have judged and presented the awards in previous years, but judging was postponed last year due to pandemic conditions.

However, the awards have now returned and The Fox has been nominated in the ‘best pub’ category.

The focus this year is on neighbourly spirit and the contributions of rural businesses to their communities.

During the first lockdown, The Fox operated as a community shop, providing essential goods and services to housebound and vulnerable villagers.

Countryside Alliance Awards director Sarah Lee said: “We were incredibly sad to have to postpone judging last year, but it was necessary.

“There were so many excellent rural businesses nominated by tens of thousands of people from across the countryside.

“We are pleased to say that those businesses shortlisted for awards last year will have the opportunity to win this year.

“We all know of someone – or a group of people – whose contribution to their community over the last year has been particularly impressive, so we are launching a special campaign to celebrate those rural heroes who have kept us all going.

“Whether they delivered our shopping, organised food parcels for our most vulnerable, sewed facemasks for those on the front line, kept our community together with socially distanced street workouts or just simply put a smile on our faces.

“By nature, our Rural Heroes category will feature people focussed on the needs of others and who never expect praise – but we need your help in finding them.”

West Berkshire businesses have figured prominently in the Countryside Alliance Awards.

In 2019 the Hampstead Norreys Community Shop was named Britain’s best village shop.

Staff received the award at Parliament, celebrating alongside thenNewbury MP Richard Benyon.