The Oxfordshire winners in the Countryside Alliance’s second annual Best Rural Retailer competition have been declared, and will now go up against other county winners to take the overall Southern regional title and a shot at national glory.The judging panel, led by Countryside Alliance Southern Regional Director Sara Rutherford, have chosen the following category winners for Oxfordshire:

Best Local Food Retailer – Foxbury Butchers and Farm Shop, Brize Norton. Sara says: “You can barely keep up with the amazing range of produce on offer at Foxbury. The business ethic is: "Foxbury first; local second, British third and there is no fourth". Also a huge community player: Colin Dawes supplies 12 local schools with meat and is the only farm in Oxfordshire that has been accredited.  Hundreds of school children visit every year for tours of the farm, shop and butchers. Burford School is regularly provided with £50 worth of fruit, veg and meat, which is used at an after school class for children to design and cook a meal with the contents. The commitment to local produce and the health and knowledge of the next generation makes Foxbury really stand out as something special."
http://www.foxburyfarm.co.uk/ 

Best Shop / PO – Sibford Stores & Post Office, Sibford Ferris, Banbury. Sara says: “The shop is the central hub for information and service in the village and I got a very warm welcome. Terry and Judith Byrne are key players in the local community and are involved in all local events.  They bought the shop and Post Office eight years ago when it was on the verge of closure and, with a considerable amount of hard work and going the extra mile for their customers they have turned it into a thriving and popular business.”

Best Diversification – Friars Court Enterprises, Clanfield, Bampton. Sara says: John Willmer, owner of Friars Court, diversified the family farm and the site now houses a gymnasium and fitness centre, a licensed wedding and private party venue, moorings hired out to 30 boats, a caravan club site and caravan rally site. Mr Willmer gives talks to local community groups with particular regard to renewable energy and is involved in river maintenance.  School groups are encouraged to visit and the overall diversity of this enterprise is outstanding.”
http://www.friarscourt.com/
 
Daily Telegraph Best Traditional Business – Cassington Builders, Witney. Sara says: “I can’t help but feel that this level of craftsmanship and commitment must be supported and encouraged if we are to keep our traditional skills, and David Holmes and his team are to be applauded for their exceptional ethic. Wherever possible natural and local materials are used and much of the stone is reclaimed to ensure that all work is in keeping with the existing property or, in the case of new builds, with the locality.”