Over 50 Welsh firms on rural awards shortlist
Wales has just been handed a major trade boost, with no fewer than 54 firms from the country shortlisted in a prestigious awards scheme showcasing the very best in British rural enterprise.
A vineyard, a solicitors and a furniture manufacturer are just three of the Welsh businesses honoured in the regional heats of this year’s Rural Business Awards (RBAs).
Now in their fourth year, the RBAs are the only UK-wide business awards specifically for the rural sector. Sponsored by Amazon, the scheme has been a huge success since it started with the first award ceremony held in 2015.
The 54 shortlisted businesses have a combined turnover of £20m and are finalists in the Rural Business Awards Regional Finals (Wales & Northern Ireland). They will find out if they have won a top slot at a glittering ceremony on Tuesday, October 16 at the Kinmel Hotel in Abergele.
The successful winners at the regional finals, from the 13 award categories, are put forward to the National Final, which takes place in February 2019.
Doug Gurr, UK country manager for Amazon, said: “Congratulations to all the shortlisted companies in Wales ahead of the regional finals of the 2018 Rural Business Awards.
“These local businesses have a real positive impact on the local and national economy, and are a true inspiration to others. We wish all the nominees the best of luck ahead of the regional finals.”
The shortlisted firms from Wales are:
BEST RURAL CREATIVE OR MEDIA-BASED BUSINESS
■ Barr & Co Jeweller, Llandeilo
■ Daydream Designs, Holywell
■ Make it in Wales, Newcastle Emlyn
■ Platform One, Monmouth
■ View Creative, Rhos-on-Sea
BEST RURAL DRINK BUSINESS
■ Bluestone Brewing Company, Newport
■ Coldpress Foods
■ Dyfi Distillery, Corris
■ Gwynt y Ddraig Cider, Llantwit Fardre
■ White Castle Vineyard, Abergavenny
BEST RURAL EDUCATION OR TRAINING BUSINESS
■ Coppicewood College, Llandysul
■ Dryad Bushcraft, Parkmill
■ Mwmac, Builth Wells
BEST RURAL FOOD BUSINESS
■ Chilly Cow Ice Cream, Ruthin
■ Farm & Fork, Wrexham
■ Farmers Food At Home, Haverfordwest
■ Jones & Evans, Lochmeyler Farm, Haverfordwest
■ The Parsnipship, Ogmore Vale
BEST RURAL MANUFACTURING BUSINESS
■ Baa Stool, Denbigh
■ Black Mountain Shepherds Huts, Criggion
■ Brighter Foods, Monmouth
■ Brooke’s Wye Valley Dairy Company, Chepstow
■ Llaeth Y Llan, Llannefydd
■ The White Hart Thatched Inn and Brewery, Carmarthen
BEST RURAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUSINESS
■ Birchill Access Consultancy, Aberystwyth
■ Davis Meade Property Consultants, Colwyn Bay
■ Hall Livesey Brown, Rossett
■ John Clegg & Co, Monmouth
■ Swayne Johnson Solicitors, Denbigh
BEST RURAL RECREATIONAL OR OUTDOOR PURSUITS BUSINESS
■ Beacons Equestrian, Dinefwr Riding Centre, Ammanford
■ BikePark Wales, Abercanaid
■ Good Day Out, Brecon
■ Llangollen Outdoors, Llangollen
■ Surf Snowdonia, Dolgarrog
BEST RURAL RETAIL BUSINESS
■ Gwenllan Country Crafts, Llandysul
■ Hayley Hanson, Brecon
■ Lansdown Country, Carmarthen
■ Parc y Bocs Farm shop, Kidwelly
■ The Little Chilli Shop, Beaumaris
BEST RURAL START UP
■ Barr & Co Jewellery, Llandeilo
■ Crwst, Cardigan
■ Snowdonia Distillery, Tal Y Cafn
■ The Pembrokeshire Comestibles Company, Lampeter
BEST RURAL TOURISM BUSINESS
■ Croft Farm & Celtic Cottages
■ Dan Yr Ogof, The National Showcaves Centre for Wales, Swansea
■ Penhein Glamping, Chepstow
■ The Bell at Skenfrith, Skenfrith
■ The Forge, Corwen
OUTSTANDING RURAL DIVERSIFICATION PROJECT
■ Bluestone Brewing Company Limited, Newport
■ Hayley Hanson, Brecon
■ Plas Isaf Country Barn and Gardens, Corwen
■ Rhug Organic Farm, Corwen
■ The Forge, Corwen
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, CHARITY OR COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR
■ Cwmni Cymunedol Cletwr Cyf, Machynlleth
■ SAINTS – St Athan Park’s Charity – St Athan
■ The Big Skill CIC, Mossburn
■ The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, Welshpool
■ Tir Coed, Aberystwyth
RURAL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
■ Beki Delaney, Daydream Designs
■ Gareth Jones, Rhug Organic Farm
■ Philip Meade, Davis Meade Property Consultants