THREE businesses from the Tivyside area have been nominated for the Welsh finals in the 2017 Countryside Alliance Awards – often referred to as 'the Rural Oscars'.

The awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of rural produce, skills, enterprise and heritage carried out at small hard-working businesses which go the extra mile for their communities. They are now in their 13th year and have become the definitive rural business award to win.

This year, more than 11,000 nominations were received across the five categories and three of the final nominations come from the Tivyside area – St Dogmaels Local Producers’ Market, Siop Y Pentre at Cilgerran and Ken Davies Butchers, Crymych.

St Dogmaels Local Producers Market is one of the five nominations in the local food and drink category.

The market is held every Tuesday in the village and continues to go from strength to strength. Now in its ninth year, it was named in 2016 by BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards as the best market in Britain.

Market spokesman Nia Siggins said: “I think the emphasis on local produce and local producers is so important. It is written into our constitution that products have to be sourced as locally as possible and with high standards of ethical husbandry.

“I think people now want to know the provenance of what they are buying and want to support local businesses and the local economy. It is important to try to offer something a bit different and make shopping a social experience with a unique selling point.”

Ken Davies Butchers has been named in the best butcher category, much to the delight of owner Ken Davies.

“We have been here in the village for 20 years and in these premises for five,” said Ken, a fourth generation butcher who employs four people at the shop at London House.

“To be nominated by our customers is simply brilliant and we cannot thank them enough. Everything we sell is as local as possible, from local farms and it is all about traceability. If everyone looks after their own little area, then we will be fine.

“And to have three businesses from the area nominated – we actually supply the Coach House at St Dogmaels and Siop Y Pentre – is amazing.”

Siop Y Pentre at Cilgerran lies very much at the heart of the village and has been nominated in the village shop/post office category.

The shop took on the responsibility of the Post Office service earlier this year and there is always a friendly, smiling face behind the counter.

Owner Nia Morris said: “Over the years we have looked to offer something a bit different and are very keen to support as many local firms as we can and offer local Welsh produce such as bread and cheeses.

“We realise that like so many other small shops we have to diversify and be flexible in what we offer. We now have a small seating area outside and do coffees and home-made sandwiches and snacks and see ourselves as a real community hub.

“We are grateful that we are so well supported by the village.”

Regional champions will be announced in March, 2018, with Welsh businesses attending a special reception at the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff. The regional champions then advance to the British final, which will be held in April, 2018 at the House of Lords.

Countryside Alliance awards director Sarah Lee said:: “This has been a record year for nominations, showing how much the public values and supports our hard-working rural businessmen and women.

"For these finalists to get this far is already an exceptional achievement and I look forward to meeting them as judging gets underway. The Rural Oscars were set up to champion those who go the extra mile for their communities and it is an honour to offer a voice to rural business in this way.”