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Awards & Accolades Our members strive for excellence at all times but some are fortunate to be recognised by national or local awards schemes. On this page we acknowledge their achievements. Whilst we are very proud of our area, we are always pleased when a well known personality or a national newspaper, magazine or TV programme agrees with us. We have something to shout about, so we shout... Visit Wales Gold Award The Gold Award rewards outstanding quality, exceptional comfort and hospitality in the serviced sector in Wales. The award also recognises businesses that have been successful in a Mystery Shopper exercise to test their customer interaction skills. The following members all achieved the Gold Award' 14 December 2011
Brockweir has the best local food retailer Brockweir and Hewelsfield Village Shop has been named Best Local Food Retailer in the prestigious BBC Food and Farming Awards. The Brockweir shop was set up seven years ago by local people after the last existing shop in the village closed. It is staffed by over 40 volunteers, as well as a full-time manager and book-keeper. Further information. 26 November 2011
Single Gloucester PDO made by Smarts Traditional Gloucester Cheese has been voted the best traditional british cheese. 6 November 2011
The Yew Tree, Cliffords Mesne has been voted the voted Tewkesbury CAMRA "Pub of the Season", Summer 2011. 1 November 2011
The Old Station in Tintern has been voted the UK’s favourite park in the annual People’s Choice Award public poll. All Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces are entered into the annual poll, which saw thousands of people voting for their favourite green space. The People’s Choice Award winner for 2011 was The Old Station Tintern, in Monmouthshire, with over 2,000 votes. Representatives from the park received their award from Baroness Hanham, Minister for Department for Communities and Local Government, at the awards ceremony at City Hall, London. Over 13,000 votes were received this year, proof of how important quality parks and green spaces are to us all. With nearly 2,500 of the overall votes going to the winning site, The Old Station was the undisputed winner. As one voter put it: “Tintern Old Station really is a fantastic little park. Wonderful tea room, great picnic sites and the mini railway is always fun to toot around on!” 22 September 2011
Top restaurant in Wales The Crown at Whitebrook is the top restaurant in Wales in the Good Food Guide 2012. The world class Monmouthshire restaurant is now ranked 28th, rising two places from last year. James Sommerin, executive head chef, The Crown at Whitebrook said:
14 September 2011 Top Llamas Golden Valley Llamas won the Supreme Championship and Reserve Championship for llamas at the North Somerset Agricultural show. Further details . 23 May 2011
Parva Farm Vineyard wins Silver Parva Farm Vineyard in Tintern has won a silver medal in the International Wine Challenge for its Tintern Parva Bacchus 2009 dry white wine. This is one of the most prestigeous competitions in the wine world and Parva Farm were the only Welsh vineyard to gain an award in this competition. Further details. 18 May 2011
The National Trust has compiled its own selection of the UK's top 10 picnicking spots for spring. They include the lush greenery of the Kymin, a 600 ft hill overlooking the Wye Valley just outside Monmouth. See article in the Independent.
Wye is the best river in England and Wales The River Wye has been voted the best river in England and Wale in an online poll organised by the Our Rivers campaign, a coalition of the country's leading environmental groups - WWF, RSPB, and the Angling Trust. The reasons given for voting included:
The campaign said:
18 December 2010
The Flavours of Herefordshire The following members have been recognised in the Flavours of Herefordshire Awards.
November 2010 Wilton Court Restaurant with Rooms won two Silver Awards at the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards 2010.
28 November 2010
Ancre Hill Estates from Monmouth, Wales has been awarded a Gold medal at the Wales The True Taste Food & Drink Awards 2010/2011 for its 2009 Medium Dry White Wine. It also received a Bronze for its 2009 Rose Wine. 19 November 2010
National Tourism Awards for Wales 2010
22 October 2010
English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition 2010 Two Monmouthsirfe vienyards have won medals in the English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition 2010. Ancre Hill Estates has won 3 awards for its 2009 vintage wines, a Silver, Bronze and Highly Commended. Parva Farm Vineyard won a silver, four bronze medal and a highy commended. 28 June 2010
Liz Bloxham from Granton House, Goodrich, was runner-up in the Friendliest Landlady of the Year category from nearly 4000 entrants. 2 June 2010
Ancre Hill Estates from Monmouth has won two prestigious International Awards, announced at the London International Wine Fair 2010, for its first ever vintage, a 2008 White Welsh Regional Wine. A Silver Medal was awarded in the Decanter World Wine Awards and a Bronze Medal in the International Wine and Spirit Competition. Richard Morris of Ancre Hill Estates commented: “2008 was a difficult season weather-wise and an interesting challenge in producing our first ever vintage. Our brilliant site, meso-climate and our ability to remain disease free through fastidious canopy management and a carefully planned spray programme was the key to the quality of this wine. I must also pay tribute to our winemakers at Three Choirs.” Ancre Hill Estates currently has some 13,000 bottles of Sparkling Wines on the lees with first release scheduled for Spring 2012, for which it has great hopes. The 2009 range has just been released, a lightly oaked Dry White; a Medium Dry made in the 2008 style; a still Rosé; and a Pinot Noir red. Morris commented: “They are all showing great promise and we have received complimentary reviews from wine critics already. I’m a great disciple of cool climate growing. There is a great deal of talent in England and Wales’ Wine Industry and I must pay tribute to the advice and support we have received from the UKVA and its members since we entered the Industry. We feel the future for the England and Wales Wine Industry is bright.” 29 May 2010
Restaurant Manager of the Year 2010 David Hennigan, General Manager The Crown at Whitebrook, Monmouth has been crowned 2010 UK Restaurant Manager of the Year. David triumphed, after a gruelling day’s competition which included a written submission, against the likes of the manager at the exclusive Hilton on Park Lane and the celebrated Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Delighted David, presented with the coveted honour at the top Babylon restaurant at the Roof Gardens, London, said: “I am absolutely thrilled at winning this prestigious award. I was very humbled even to be chosen as a finalist but then to be picked from this line-up of such strong restaurant managers is incredible.” “I see this honour not just as a fantastic award for myself and for Wales but also as recognition for the unstinting hard work and dedication of the two superb teams that I manage at The Crown restaurants at Whitebrook and Celtic Manor.” Liverpool-born David, aged forty, has worked in the industry for 24 years. He trained in Liverpool beginning as a commis waiter and went on to hold positions at the Lords of the Manor, Gloucestershire, and Hunstrete House near Bath. David is in his third year as General Manager at the Crown restaurants. Judge Paul Breach, vice chairman of the Academy of Food & Wine said: “David’s written submission was very financially orientated and thorough – he was the only finalist the panel would have invested its money in.” David receives a fabulous study-tour week in New York, staying at Manhatten boutique hotel, The MAve, in the trendy Flatiron District to complete a stage at one of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group properties. (left to right) David McHattie, chief executive of the National Skills Academy for Hospitality, David Hennigan 2010 Restaurant Manager of the Year, Academy of Food & Wine Patron Lord Thurso MP and Academy of Food & Wine president Roy Ackerman. The UK Restaurant Manager of the Year is organised by the Academy of Food & Wine and supported by the National Skills Academy for Hospitality, the Savoy Educational Trust and is sponsored by OpenTable. 29 May 2010
Mallards Pike in the Forest of Dean has been voted the best picnic site in the South West in the Warburtons National Bread Week Picnic Awards 2010 and is now competing for the best in Britain award. The winner of the national competition will be announced on 7 June2010. 22 May 2010 Forester Business Awards Memento Gifts has been awarded Highly Commended in the Retailer of the Year sector. The shop at 29 Broad St Newent now retails work for more than 40 local artists and craft makers, who supply Memento with unique hand made goods that you won’t find in the chain stores. The shop is the only outlet in this part of Gloucestershire to display so much local creativity, ranging from jewellery and textiles through prints and paintings to mirrors and woodcarving. Memento also keeps a well-stocked spinner of tourism leaflets and acts as a ticket office for local events. “We’re very pleased to have been recognised for supporting local initiative” says Memento Gifts’ owner Lynn Ashton. “It indicates how much Newent is becoming a hub for creative arts and crafts”. The Ugly Duckling Restaurant in Lydney won the Best Restaurant Award. 2 June 2010 Misbah Tandoori Restaurant Priory Street, Monmouth has been voted Top 20 in Wales and 2nd in the South Wales region for the Welsh Curry House of the year competition. 17 March 2010
Kate Humble recommends the Forest The Forest of Dean is one of the top wildernesses in which to escape says Springwatch star Kate Humble. In a feature for this month’s Lonely Planet Magazine BBC presenter Kate outlines her top tips for an invigorating weekend west of the Severn. Her highlights include Symonds Yat, the Giant’s Chair on the sculpture trail at Beechenhurst and the array of wildlife including goshawks, woodpeckers and wild boar. Kate says: “When you enter the Forest of Dean you feel as if you’re on someone else’s territory; that something or someone else is in charge, it’s really quite exciting.” Kate recommends the Tudor Farmhouse in Clearwell as a top spot to spend the night and the Garden Café in Lydbrook as a good place to grab a bite to eat. 7 March 2010 Top 20 places for cycling Once again the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley has been voted one of the best locations in the UK for cycling. On February 20th the Times recommended it as one of the best spots. 24 February 2010
The Country's Top 50 Restaurants The Crown at Whitebrook has been named 36 in the country’s top 50 restaurants by Good Food Guide and its head chef, James Sommerin, was named as one of ten chefs most likely to dominate the restaurant industry in the next decade. February 2010 Harpers Wine and Spirits Drinking Out Awards The Yew Tree, Cliffords Mesne, is a finalist (in to top three) as thge Wine Pub of the Year in Harpers Wine and Spirits Drinking Out Awards for 2010 . 21 January 2010
Memento Gifts in Newent was a finalist in Progressive Gifts National Retailer of the Year 2009 in the category of Best Retail Initiative for the promotion of a charity calendar. Three players from Westbury Rugby Club posed naked in the shop window one chilly morning with just strategically placed calendars to protect their modesty, the press coverage was shown on the net and the calendars subsequently sold as far as the USA, New Zealand and eastern Europe. The event caused a bit of a stir in Newent, too. December 2009 Taste of the West Awards The Tudor Farmhouse Restaurant at Clearwell has won a Silver Award Winner 2009 from Taste of the West in the category of Restaurant. Judges highlighted the Tudor Farmhouse’s commitment to local produce sourced where possible from farms in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley and on the use of fresh fruit and vegetables from the hotel’s own garden. Judges also commented on the quality of the menus, excellence of the cooking and presentation and the friendly and attentive service. Particular mention was made to the menu’s value for money. December 2009 Awards for the Wilton Court Hotel The Wilton Court Hotel, near Ross-on-Wye has won the following awards.
23 November 2009
The Flavours of Herefordshire The following members have been recognised in the Flavours of Herefordshire Awards.
November 2009 Wine Pub of the Year Congratulations to The Yew Tree, Cliffords Mesne, who have just won a national award from the Good Pub Guide, The Good Pub Guide Wine Pub of the Year 2010. 9 October 2009 Puzzlewood makes the top ten BBC Historic Days Out voted Puzzlewood number 7 in its Top Ten Days Out for Kids. August 2009 The Forest has the best family cycle trail The cycle path in the Forest of Dean has just been named by the Daily Telegraph as Britain’s No 1 family cycle route. The route is based upon old railway lines in the Forest, previously used for taking coal to the nearby river ports. There are 15 miles of track with gradients suitable for all members of the family regularly interspersed with picnic sites. A good starting point is the Cannop Cycle Centre which has refreshments and toilets. The route is waymarked but maps can be bought the Cycle Centre or at Beechenhurst Visitors’ Centre. 24 June 2009 Well Done Caroline MBE! Congratulations to our co-chairman, Caroline Anderson, who was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2009 for services to the tourist industry in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. 13 June 2009 Great British escapes ... Forest of Dean Everyone should experience springtime in the ancient Forest of Dean, England's largest oak woodland, at least once, says Katie Jarvis in an article published in The Observer, Sunday 5 April 2009. Read the article here. 8 April 2009 Herefordshire Pub Wins Best Food Pub Award The Mill Race in Walford, near Ross-on-Wye secured the award for Food Pub of the Year. With high quality menus and a strong commitment to working with local suppliers, the Mill Race has worked hard to gain the edge. Regularly changing menus make the most of fresh, local seasonal food sourced from suppliers within a 20 mile radius including from their own farm less than 2 miles away. The pub works with key local businesses including Cobrey Farm, one of the UK’s biggest asparagus growers, as well as smaller farms and producers. The annual Food Fair gives local people the opportunity to try local food and drink and captures the enthusiasm of other local producers and suppliers. The Sunday Lunch menu offers amazing value for money while the popular Gourmet Nights capture the hearts of food and wine connoisseurs. A sound business approach combined with a passion for great local food and a clear understanding of the market puts this pub top in its class. 31 March 2009
The Mill Race has won the Green Initiative Pub of the Year in 2009 in the PubChef Awards for environmentally friendly policies and initiatives. March 2009
Ruddle Court Cheese, Newnham-on-Severn, was award a gold medal on the 2008 British Cheese Awards for their Hill's Gloucestershire Camembert. October 2008 Midlands Best Small Attraction Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo at Symonds Yat West was awarded the title of "Overall Winner, Midlands Best Small Attraction 2007/2008" by Going Places magazine. May 2008 |
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British Cheese Awards 2011
CAMRA "Pub of the Season"
Tintern Old Station - the UK's Favourite Park
Kymin - a great spot to picnic
Wales The True Taste Food & Drink Awards 2010/2011
AA B&B Awards 2010 - 2011
Ancre Hill Estates wins international awards
Mallards Pike is a great picnic spot
Monmouth has top curry house
Rugby players pose naked in Newent Shop!
Green Initiative Pub of the Year 
Ruddle Court Cheese wins Gold