Businesses celebrate at North Devon Awards

By ojones

TOP local businesses celebrated in style at the 2008 North Devon Awards.

The winners were revealed at an awards dinner held at the Castle Hill estate, Filleigh.

After dining on a selection of North Devon produce — dished up tapas-style — representatives of the winning businesses collected their awards. Winners of the categories were awarded with trophies courtesy of Dartington Crystal.

Guest speaker David Kennard entertained guests with anecdotes about his journey from being a humble shepherd in North Devon to a Sunday Times best-seller.

A charity raffle raised £1,705 for North Devon Hospice.

The event was organised by North Devon+ and sponsors included Evans Transport, Maynard John, NatWest, Farm & Cottage Holidays, Business Link, Salt Media and the North Devon Journal .

Full details of the results:

Food & Drink Awards:

Best cream tea: winner, Brendon House.

Best breakfast: winner, Bulworthy Cottage.

Best farmers market: winner, Hallwood Fresh Veg.

Best Restaurant: winner, The Masons Arms; second, Cheristow Country Restaurant; third, The Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar.

Best Café/Tea Room: winner, Wild Thyme Juice Café; second, Eggesford Garden & Country Centre Café; third, Cheristow Lavender.

Best Pub: winner, Black Venus; second: The George Hotel; third, The Anchor Inn.

Best Specialist Retailer: winner: Crescent Foods; second, Walkers Chocolate Emporium; third, S&P Fish/Lundy Fish.

Best Local Producer: winner, Indicknowle Farm Shop; second, The Farm Shop At West Yeo Moor Farm, third: Besshill Farm.

Best Traditional Fish & Chips: winner, Squires Fish Restaurant & Takeaway; second: Southsixteen Fish And Chip Restaurant & Takeaway; third: Graylings Fish & Chip Shop.

Tourism Awards:

Caravan Park: winner: Hidden Valley Park; runner-up, Riverside Caravan Park; runner-up, Damage Barton.

Hotel: winner, Northcote Manor; runner-up, The Elmfield; runner-up, The George Hotel, South Molton.

B&B/Guest House: winner, West Down; runner-up, The Dorchester Guest House; runner-up: Lower Yelland.

Self Catering: winner, Millbrook Cottages; runner-up, North Hayne Farm Cottages; runner-up, Yapham Cottages.

Visitor Attraction: winner, Ilfracombe Aquarium; runner-up, Big Sheep; runner-up, Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.

Activity Provider: winner, Calvert Trust; runner-up, Breathing Space; runner-up, Keypitts Stables N Quads.

Business Awards:

Business Start Up: winner, Convallis Software Ltd; runner-up: Tawsa Ltd.

Most Improved: winner, Fox & Hounds Country Hotel; runner-up, Aquarius Swimschool.

Valuing Your Team: winner, Golden Coast Ltd; runner-up, Ark Care Homes.

New Product/Service: winner, Tiki International Ltd; runner-up, Fox & Hounds Country Hotel.

New Market Growth: winner, Reveal Media Ltd; runner-up, Storage Solutions Ltd.

Community Involvement: winner, Zena's; runner-up, Raise Marketing Ltd.

Plus Awards:

Commitment To The Environment: winner, Millbrook Cottages; second, Hemp Fabric; third, Brend Hotels.

Super Service: winner, Brenda Savery, West Down.

Individual Contribution To The Community/Charity: winner, Lady Arran.