07 December 2009, 15:11 PM
  • Shropshire butchers, A Ryan & Son won the Best Local Retailer award, at BBC Radio 4’s Food & Farming Awards recently

“We feel so privileged to have won. It’s wonderful that there is such a platform for small, local producers to be recognised for their hard work. I hope it continues for many more years,” said Paddy Ryan, owner.

The shop received particular acclaim for its locally sourced meat and homemade pies.

Bluebells dairy, café and farm shop in Derbyshire, runners-up in the Farmer of the Year category, was also given a well-deserved pat on the back.

The dairy, which produces luxury ice cream and has regular customers in its café and farm shop, opened in December 2008.

“To have been praised so highly after only twelve months in business is a fantastic achievement,” said Oliver Brown, owner.

The awards were handed out by a host of food and farming celebrities, including Raymond Blanc, Jimmy Doherty and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

“Learning about the passion, hard work, skill and knowledge of the winners in these awards makes me feel more optimistic about the future of food and farming in the UK,” said Raymond Blanc, who presented the award for Best Food Market.

Canterbury-based farmers market The Goods Shed received the Best Food Market award.

The awards were broadcast on Friday 27th November on BBC Radio 4.