By Isle of Wight Observer
The Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society (RIWAS) is inviting nominations for this year’s Isle of Wight Rural Awards, with the awards sponsored by countryside charity, the CLA.
The business categories are Rural Tourism Business of the Year, Wight Marque Food Business of the Year, Small Countryside Business of the Year (up to five employees) and Countryside Business of the Year (six or more employees). There will be an overall winner from these categories which will receive the IW Rural Business of the Year award
Nominations are also open for the Rural Young Person of the Year (aged 26 and under). In addition, there is a Lifetime Achievement Award with the winner selected by the judges.
These prestigious awards honour those who demonstrate success and achievement from all parts of the Island’s rural economy, and celebrate the breadth and depth of the rural sector. They will be presented at this year’s Royal Isle of Wight County Show on Saturday, July 8.
Cindy Betley, of the CLA, said: “We are delighted that these awards are returning once again as they celebrate the Island’s vibrant rural economy, which the CLA is proud to support. The nominations window is only open for a short period so please get your applications in as quickly as possible.
“It’s been a busy and sometimes challenging year, and we look forward to recognising the innovative, dynamic people and businesses on the Isle of Wight.”
Graham Biss, vice chairman of RIWAS, added: “This will be the fifth year of the awards and each year they depict the very best of the Island and the rural sector. We hope to receive nominations from right across the Island, and would encourage everyone to nominate either themselves or those businesses or individuals who make the Island so special.”
Further copies of the form are available from riwas.org.uk or by phoning the RIWAS office on 296244.
Completed forms should be emailed to riwas@naturalenterprise.co.uk or sent by post to Shide Meadows Centre, Shide Road, Newport, PO30 1HR before the closing date of May 26.
Pic: Last year’s IW Rural Business of the Year – the IW Donkey Sanctuary
