Business Awards 2017

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

Dingley’s delight at raffle prize WEST Berkshire charity Dingley’s Promise was handed a cheque for £2,486.50 at the awards dinner. The money was raised through a raffle on the night, with a number of prizes on offer, including a boxing glove signed by Sir Henry Cooper, which was donated by NWN chief executive James Gurney. Other prizes were a five-course meal at The Vine- yard, a BMW for the weekend (supplied by Dick Lovett) an overnight stay at the Mercure Elcot Hotel and Reading FC match tickets. Before the awards were presented and raffle prizes announced, Newbury MP Richard Benyon described West Berkshire as “the best place in England to start a business” during his speech. Mr Benyon added: “What tonight is all about is saying thank you. “Thank you to companies, businesses and chari- ties that do amazing things across this extraordi- nary part of the South of England. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again now – I

strongly believe that this is the best part of the coun- try to start or grow a business and these awards are very much a part of getting that vital message out to people.” NWN chief executive James Gurney and editor Andy Murrill also spoke about the important rela- tionship between the paper and local businesses during the evening. Mr Gurney said: “Being able to host these awards that recognise local success is a real honour and I thank you all for partaking. “Winning is an incredible achievement, but being recognised and talked about is of equal impor- tance.” Mr Murrill said: “We’ve been a part of the commercial life of West Berkshire since 1867, help- ing local businesses to grow, thrive and prosper and that is why we are so delighted to organise these awards this year. “It is a true celebration of innovation, determina- tion and success.”

Everyone’s a winner! WINNERSof this year’s awards have reacted to being recog- nised as the district’ s best in business. enquiries for application forms and a total shortlist of 34 busi- nesses, ranging from beauty and wellbeing to financial services and fitted bedroom specialists. Compere Thomas Plant, left, and managing director of Newbur y BID Russell Downing present David Marklew of Inn at Home with theIndependentRetaileraward Ref: 45-0617F

Bluebird Care home manager Hayley Davies said after winning the Customer Service Award: “ I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of the whole team of care assistants and ofice staff who work tirelessly to ensure that Bluebird Care’s customers receive the very best care at home.” Awards co-ordinator John Hampson said: “The 2017 Best in Business Awards were a tremen- dous success. “This was the culmination of six month’s work on the awards, which attracted over 100 initial

David Bruce, winner of the Entrepreneur category, said: “I don’t go around thinking of myself as an entrepreneur; I just do what I do because I enjoy it, so I genuinely wasn’t expecting to win. “I can only get awards like this because of my staff, who are abso- lutely brilliant. That is why I am able to succeed.I’ m really chuffed to have won.”

“I would like to offer a personal thank you to our wonderful spon- sors who made the whole event possible, giving up their time to visit their shortlisted businesses. “And to Sarah Prankerd and her colleagues at The Vineyard Group for accepting the challenge to find an overall winner – I am indebted to you all.”

Compere Thomas Plant, left, Mia Horn of the Newbury Weekly News, right, present Dingley ’s Promisewitha chequefor£2,436,raisedthrougha raffleonthenight

second right, and awards co-ordinator John Hampson,

Ref: 45-0617V

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‘A huge thank you for your support’

Cobbs Farm Shop –winner of the Rural Business Award in the Newbury Weekly News Best in Business Awards 2017

Racecourse, the amazing award ceremony commenced and we soon learnt the exciting news that Cobbs had achieved the Rural Business Award for the second year running. We really could not be prouder! It’s fair to say 2017 has been a very exciting year for Cobbs. Indeed, we reach the finals in the most prestigious national Rural Business Awards and our fabulous vineyard, Alder Ridge,

earned itself five new medals for its wines, with the 2013 Blanc de Noirs being named Best in Class at The Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for all the support over the years; to both our customers and teams of wonderful staff – none of this could have been achieved without you.

WE are extremely proud to have won the Rural Business Award for the second year in a row! We were thrilled by the chance to take off our aprons, pull out our glad rags, put on our dancing shoes and enjoy a night of cele- brating the best in local business that West Berkshire has to offer. After a brilliant evening dining and meeting other fellow local businesses at Newbury