Three Devon businesses win top Amazon Rural Awards
Three companies from Devon have been named as some of the best rural businesses in the country after winning at the regional heat of the Rural Business Awards.
Apricot Centre CIC from Dartington, Rull Orchard Ltd from Thorverton and The Outdoors Group from Shillingford Abbot all scooped prizes at the South West regional finals of the Rural Business Awards in partnership with Amazon, which took place virtually this year.
- Apricot Centre CIC from Dartington was named Best Rural Social Enterprise, Charity, or Community Project
- Rull Orchard from Thorverton was named Best Rural Small Business
- The Outdoors Group from Shillingford Abbot was named Best Rural Recreational or Outdoor Pursuits Business
Following the impressive achievements at the regional final, Apricot Centre CIC, Rull Orchard, and The Outdoors Group will now go on to represent the South West at the national final of the Rural Business Awards in February 2022.
Apricot Centre CIC works with families and schools to offer farming processes to help with wellbeing.
The Apricot Centre Team approach involves experienced Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) practitioners from different fields in collaboration to deliver high quality therapies and support such as Clinical Psychology, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, Creative Psychotherapies (Art, Music, Drama) and Counselling.
Rull Orchard is the brainchild of Mike and Claire Shorland. The company started making cider in 2020 and has now expanded the business to offer juices, honey and sparkling drinks.
The Outdoors Group is a Scandinavian-inspired forest school based around learner-led, project based experiential learning. The company offers a wide range of outdoor activities for kindergarten children, toddler groups, home education groups, holiday clubs, birthday parties, school groups, adult training and team building.
The Rural Business Awards 2021/2022, held in partnership with Amazon, will mark the Awards’ seventh year of celebrating the success of businesses across the UK’s rural economy. The Awards are organised by rural business for rural business with the aim of celebrating the achievements of rural businesses and developing a strong network for rural business owners.
Speaking after picking up the prestigious award, Mike Shorland, Founder of Rull Orchard Ltd said: “We are very proud to win at the regional final of the Rural Business Awards. We are passionate about what we do and it’s a great boost to win this award – thank you Amazon and the Rural Business Awards."
“I’d like to congratulate all the businesses nominated and wish all three Devon businesses the best of luck ahead of the national final in February,” said John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon.
Rural Business Awards co-founder Jemma Clifford added: “We are very proud to be hosting the seventh annual Rural Business Awards in partnership with Amazon. On behalf of the Rural Business Awards team, I would like to say congratulations to Apricot Centre CIC, Rull Orchard, and The Outdoors Group for their well-deserved wins and wish them all the best ahead of the national final.”
The Rural Business Awards is the brainchild of Leicestershire businesswomen Anna Price and Jemma Clifford, who wanted to showcase the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in rural areas of Britain.
The Awards are organised by rural business for rural business, with winners in the 13 categories - ranging from Best Rural Start-up and Best Rural Diversification Project; through to Best Rural Professional Services Business and Best Rural Social Enterprise, Charity or Community Project - decided by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.
The Rural Business Awards is hosting a series of regional finals in the North, East, Midlands, South West, Wales and Northern Ireland, throughout October 2021, ahead of the National Final next February.
To find out more, visit www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk
