Welsh Rural Businesses Honoured at Senedd for Countryside Alliance Awards

The Countryside Alliance Wales held its annual ‘Rural Oscars’ awards ceremony, where several Welsh rural businesses were crowned champions.

The Countryside Alliance Awards – now in their 17^th year – recognise rural businesses across five categories, including ‘best pub’, ‘best village shop/ post office’, ‘best butcher’, ‘best for local food a drink’ and the ‘rural enterprise award’. These businesses go the extra mile within their communities, supporting the local economy and championing local goods and services.

Thousands of nominations from around the country were whittled down via a public vote, with the final few being honoured at the Welsh finalists’ awards ceremony on Tuesday 27 February at the Senedd, Cardiff Bay. The awards were presented by Gareth Wyn Jones and Director of the Countryside Alliance Wales Rachel Evans, and attended by a number of Senedd members.

The winner of each category will go on to represent Wales in the national champions reception at the House of Lords in June, competing against other finalists from Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England.

The winners of the 2024 Welsh Countryside Alliance Awards were as follows:

Pub: Tafarn y Fic, Gwynedd

Village Shop: Llanymynech, Powys

Butcher: Izzy’s Butchers, Powys

Local Food and Drink: Cwm Farm Charcuterie, Glamorgan

Rural Enterprise: Bargoed Farm, Ceredigion

The runners-up in each category were as follows:

Pub: Llew Gwyn, Clwyd

Village Shop: R H Bunner and Son Ltd, Powys

Butcher: Jones A’i Fab, Clwyd

Local Food and Drink: Velvrey Vineyard, Pembrokeshire

Rural Enterprise: Cwm Fedw Country Sports, Rhondda Cynnon Taf

The following businesses received high commendations in each category:

Pub: Dolau Inn, Powys

Village Shop: Boughrood Stores, Powys

Butcher: Farmers Pantry, Glamorgan

Local Food and Drink: Carn Edward, Pembrokeshire

Rural Enterprise: The Welsh Wool Shed, Gwynedd

Rachel Evans, Director of the Countryside Alliance Wales, said: “This evening was about celebrating our rural communities and the role that these businesses play in keeping them together – their continued promotion of Welsh produce, skills, and rural life deserve all the credit they can get. The Countryside Alliance is proud to be honouring a group of people who about are passionate about our countryside and about providing quality goods, services, and employment to rural communities and beyond.”