Shailesh Vara MP recently visited the Abbots Ripton Store and Post Office in Huntingdonshire to congratulate the owners, Samantha and Adrian Wardman, on reaching the regional finals for the Countryside Alliance Annual Awards 2020.
Samantha Wardman, Shailesh Vara MP, Adrian Wardman and Geoffrey Richardson
The annual awards celebrate rural businesses that go the extra mile in helping and supporting their communities. Nominations are submitted by the general public and are whittled down by a panel of judges using a range of criteria including applicants’ passion and commitment, sense of community, championing local food and the energy and diversity of their business.
The village business is one of four that has been shortlisted in the East of England region in the category of Village Store/Post Office.
Regional winners will be announced at the end of May and they will be invited to an awards ceremony in the House of Lords in June.
Mr Vara said: “It is fantastic to see Samantha and Adrian acknowledged for the outstanding work that they do in our community.
“They have worked very hard to build a business that champions both local produce and community values and they are very much at the heart of the village. I am delighted that they have been recognised for their efforts and hope that they continue to strengthen their business following this recognition.”
Samantha Wardman added: “It was a complete surprise to find out we had been nominated for a ‘Rural Oscar’ and now to find out we are in the regional finals is incredible. We are so proud of our little shop and with this nomination we know we are heading in the right direction.”