Helen Morgan urges community nominations for ‘Rural Oscars’

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan is urging local communities to nominate deserving winners for the annual Countryside Alliance Awards – known as the ‘Rural Oscars’.

The awards celebrate people 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.

The awards had several Shropshire contenders nominated last year, with the White Lion community pub in Ash winning the national award for ‘Best Country Pub’ at a ceremony in Parliament.

Helen Morgan MP said, “We all know how hard the people in our villages and hamlets work, with so many enterprises and individuals really going the extra mile for their community – this really deserves to be celebrated.

“Last year we had a North Shropshire winner of the best country pub category, when the White Lion at Ash won at a ceremony in the House of Lords. I’m really keen to see more Shropshire winners this year, and would love to hear from local residents about their ideas.

“Please get in touch with my team if you have a suggestion, or just nominate yourself online. Either are a great way of helping celebrate the brilliant communities that make Shropshire a great place to live.”

You can nominate online at https://www.countryside-alliance.org/campaigns/countryside-alliance-awards.

The 7 categories are:

• Local Food/Drink – Have they put the community on the map via the quality and diversity of local produce being sold?
• Village Shop/ Post Office – Are they the cornerstone of the village and breathed life into the community and local economy?
• Butcher – Is traditional butchery at the heart of the enterprise or have they brought a modern twist to this ancient skill?
• Rural Enterprise – Is this business a growing asset to its community and making a real contribution?
• Pub – Would winning this competition reward a really special enterprise and tell a positive story about rural life while championing local food and drink?
• Clarissa Dickson Wright Award – this Award centres on her belief in campaigning, educating and prioritising slow food, taste, quality and support for our farmers and producers.