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Rural food heroes are nominated for award
NBENBE101113a2, Fresh basil nominated for award, Sam Jackson
Two Belper businesses have been recognised in a national awards initiative which aims to keep rural communities alive.
The I Should Cocoa cafe and chocolate shop and Sam Jackson, co-owner of the Fresh Basil deli, have both been put forward for awards by happy customers.
Sam has also recently been announced as a regional finalist in the rural enterprise category.
The Countryside Alliance Awards, which were first known as the Best Rural Retailer Competition when they started in 2005, were created to help prevent rural decline by recognising the businesses that stand out in small communities.
Many food and drink businesses in the Derbyshire area have been nominated and shortlisted in the past.
Sam, 29, said: “It was a complete shock to be honest. I had a letter saying I had been nominated by one of my customers for the awards which give people in the rural community the chance to support small businesses in small towns to stimulate economies.
“I just think it’s nice that a national scheme like this is thinking of small towns like Belper when you usually hear about places in the big cities.
“I’m quite humbled that someone took the time to nominate me – I would like to thank them personally but I have no idea who it was.“
He added: “I’m very lucky. I love the industry as every day is different. It’s also given me some great opportunities such as making my own cheese and appearing on Radio Four and meeting big names like Rick Stein.”
The sixth annual awards have gained a record number of nominations containing businesses, producers and individual characters who have impressed their local peers.
Regional judging will continue until early January, following which regional winners will be announced and invited to the House of Lords to a reception. At that reception Countryside Alliance chief executive, Alice Barnard, will announce the British champions, who will then be congratulated by parliamentarians.
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Weather for Belper
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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Comments
There are 6 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
LittleGem
Friday, November 26, 2010 at 06:00 PMNo offence taken Diogenes, I grew up in Belper and the bypass was always just around the corner even then, many years ago!
Diogenes
Friday, November 26, 2010 at 05:38 AMLittleGem, I wasn't insinuating you were in favour of a bypass and I apologise if my post came across as such. There's been talk of a bypass since the late 1940s and long may it remain that, i.e. just talk.
LittleGem
Thursday, November 25, 2010 at 05:54 PMDiogenes, I didn't say I wanted a bypass. I was merely stating that when I left years ago there was much talk of a bypass, and now, years later, there's still talk of a bypass. I think my comments clearly indicate that I rather like the town as it is, without a bypass or a Tesco hypermarket. Many things have improved, some haven't, but on the whole I'm glad to be back.
Edna_Welthorpe
Thursday, November 25, 2010 at 03:20 PMYou takes your route and you takes your choice.
Diogenes
Thursday, November 25, 2010 at 08:29 AMLittleGem, if we had the bypass all you would see of the town (heading north) would be the roundabout, Morrisons, McDonalds, a large Tesco store and the East Mill.
LittleGem
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 11:19 PMJust moved back to Belper after some years away, how it's changed! Some things not for the better, but some really good! Fresh Basils shop was a horrid discount store when I was last here, now it's one of the best Deli's I've ever been in, I should Cocoa is really different and original, and Ultraviolet is fantastic! With the revamped Co op Strutt Street is really much better than it used to be! The entrance to the town is really shoddy though, I thought the old oil refinery was bad enough! Great to see the town centre doing well though. Oh, and still no bypass!
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