On 18th March 2009 the national Countryside Alliance Awards were handed out at a Parliamentary reception in London. The Awards, nicknamed “The Rural Oscars,” honour the countryside through the people who work so hard to preserve its communities, traditions and enterprise.Countryside Alliance Board Member Baroness Golding and Chief Executive Simon Hart presided over the House of Lords reception which was attended by regional award winners and Parliamentarians. The Countryside Alliance Awards run over five categories and also presented on the day were the inaugural Countryside Alliance Political Awards, honouring rural-minded politicians.

Traditional Business AwardRegional Winner North East: The Feathers Inn, Stocksfield, Northumberland, www.thefeathers.net/01661 843607. Richard says: “This is already a winner in other competitions and it is easy to see why! It is a traditional village pub doing very local food! All the products are sourced locally, apart from things like lemons etc. The chef said if it can’t be local it is not on the menu. There is great support from the local village and area, it is a family business, the engine being the son who is the chef, front of house is his wife and mother and father help in the background as does his sister. They promote local game, buy meat in carcass form and create their own cuts, make their own black pudding, all the beers were local and they used local items like Alnwick Rum. The menu also suggests what wines to choose and there is a buzzing enthusiasm to get it right.”