Briddlesford Lodge Farm & Dairy win rural business award

Briddlesford Lodge Farm & Dairy are winners of the 2018 Isle of Wight Rural Business of the Year Award.

The family up at Briddlesford have been dairy farmers for nearly 100 years, and it seems the hard work has paid off.

They’ve now been recognised by the Royal isle of Agricultural Society (RIWAS)and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

In total, the Isle of Wight Rural Awards consist of six awards which recognise those individuals and businesses who represent the very best of rural achievement on the Island.

The panel of judges included Gill Kennett from the Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society, CLA Senior Adviser Claire Bennett, and independent judge Robert Lovegrove.

Rural award winners – CLA

Graham Biss, Vice Chairman of RIWAS, said: “Part of RIWAS’s charitable role is to raise awareness of rural issues on the Isle of Wight, and we also want to celebrate our successes.

“All the finalists demonstrated the sheer quality of rural business on the island, and our awards for schools and young people highlighted the very positive future for our rural communities. Everyone successful or not are to be congratulated”

Congratulations! – CLA

Paul Griffin, partner Briddlesford Lodge Farm & Dairy, said: “It’s great to be recognised by the RIWAS and the CLA for what we are doing at Briddlesford. We hope that our new dairy will ensure the survival of our guernsey herd which is so much a part of the landscape at Briddlesford and also of the Isle of Wight.

“Our family have been dairy farmers at Briddlesford for nearly 100 years, but we now have the capacity to process all of our milk right here on the farm into fresh milk, cream, butter and cheese.

“Our prize winning cows are all descended from the original 12 guernseys brought to Briddlesford by my great grandfather, Charles Griffin in 1923 so they are as much a part of my family as the human members!

“Guernseys were the prevalent breed on the Isle of Wight until recent years. Their milk is famous for its rich flavour and creaminess, but is also considered to promote certain health benefits over ordinary milk.”

Briddlesford Farm – Credit: Google Maps

Results

The finalists and winners of this year’s awards are:

Rural Business of the Year
Briddlesford Lodge Farm & Dairy – WINNER
Island Brewery/Island Ales – RUNNER UP
I W Cheese
Living Larder
Wood Learn Forest School Limited

Rural Young Person of the Year
George Biss – WINNER
Will Earley
Kingsley Hollis

Primary School of the Year
Cowes Primary School – WINNER
Arreton St. George’s Primary School
Northwood Primary School

Wight Marque Food Business of the Year
The Tomato Stall – WINNER
Island Brewery/Island Ales
I W Cheese

Sustainable Business Champion
Island Riding Centre – WINNER

Isle of Wight Farm Worker of the Year
Tom Philips – WINNER