This week, I wanted to alert my constituents to the forthcoming Countryside Alliance Awards 2024, which celebrate and support rural businesses in constituencies like Eddisbury.

The awards, also known as the ‘Rural Oscars’, are the rural business awards to win, and give a voice and platform to the best of our produce, enterprise, heritage, and communities.

The awards are a national scheme that has seen the Countryside Alliance honour thousands of businesses, highlighting the efforts of many people for the benefit of their rural communities.

The feel-good factor these awards generate cannot be overestimated, and those who have won in the past have spoken of the positive impact their recognition has had on everyone they know.

Notably, the awards have reached millions through the media, bringing a positive story about the modern countryside to urban and rural Britain alike.

Nominated by the public, the awards recognise and honour those who routinely go the extra mile for their community. Nominations are open now until November 12, 2023.

Regional finalists will be announced in December 2023, with national winners announced at the grand final at the House of Lords in June 2024. Please do consider nominating one of your local rural enterprises.

The seven categories are:

Local food and drink – Have they put the community on the map as a result of the quality and diversity of local produce being sold?

Village shop or Post Office – Are they the cornerstone of the village, and have they 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 an exceptional enterprise, and tell a positive story about rural life while championing local food and drink?

Clarissa Dickson Wright Award – Would this reward a focus on Clarissa’s belief in campaigning, educating, and prioritising slow food, taste, quality, and support for our farmers and producers?

The past 17 years have seen the Countryside Alliance honour thousands of businesses, highlighting the efforts many rural people go to to support their communities, like ours in Cheshire.

The benefits these awards afford are tangible, and those who have won have demonstrated the positive impact their recognition has had on everyone they know, as well as bringing a boost to their business.

I very much hope you will support the awards and help celebrate the achievements of our rural businesses in Eddisbury.

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

Again, I cannot overstate the real-life impact these awards have, and I hope you feel able to support them and, in doing so, put our fantastic constituency on the map.