I am so delighted that West Dean Club is a finalist in the Countryside Alliance Awards this year.
The Awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of British food & farming, enterprise and heritage through our small hard-working businesses. Known as “The Rural Oscars” they are now in their sixteenth year and have become the definitive rural business award to win. They are set apart from other award schemes because they are driven by public nomination, offering customers the chance to tell us why their favourite businesses are worthy of national acclaim. The Rural Oscars received thousands of nominations this year so West Dean Club has done fantastically well to reach the regional final.
Countryside Alliance Awards Director Sarah Lee commented: “We have been overwhelmed by nominations this year. 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. Our local produce is second to none and there are many community heroes and businesses worthy of national recognition.”
The Countryside Alliance Awards celebrate those businesses that go the extra mile and are the cornerstone of our rural communities. The West Dean Club is a perfect example of a venue supported by community volunteers who keep it going, host brilliant events, like the annual MacMillan Coffee Morning, the end of the Young Farmer’s charity tractor run, and many others. By reaching the regional finals they have shown what hard work and commitment to the local rural community they have all put in. I will be following their progress with pride and will be championing their success.
More information about the awards can be found here: