Winners announced in Rural Community Business Awards
Celebrating rural communities: Plunkett UK’s awards spotlight businesses connecting people and fostering unity
1st November 2024
The spirit of community was celebrated at the 2024 Rural Community Business Awards hosted by charity Plunkett UK.
Eight community businesses or individuals from across the UK were crowned winners during the event in London on Wednesday, 23rd October.
Scooping the Voneus sponsored Connecting the Community Award was The Cwmdu Inn in Llandeilo, a pub, shop and post office that offers a safe and welcoming space for people with similar interests.
Voneus specialises is bringing ultrafast fibre broadband to communities across the UK, connecting homes and businesses often left behind in even the hardest to reach areas. The Connecting the Community Award celebrates how businesses go the extra mile to create safe and welcoming spaces in order to connect their community.
The Cwmdu Inn plays an important role as a safe and welcoming space allowing people of similar interests an opportunity to meet up and just ‘touch base’.
The knit, stitch and natter group meet twice weekly, the smallholders group meet monthly and, whilst the ladies are knitting and nattering, their husbands meet to discuss all things vintage machinery – tractors, cars and motorbikes! There is no charge for these groups for using the facilities to ensure they are accessible for all.
The monthly ‘Cymdeithas’ meeting discusses ideas for new events and is attended by a diverse range of the community allowing everyone to feel their voice is heard. The biggest example of connecting the community is the annual Beer Festival. Welsh breweries, music acts and food vendors join, the local school runs a children’s entertainment tent, the village hall lends tables and 40 local businesses all generously help with sponsorship of the event.
The winning team said: “We hope that we can inspire other small rural communities and show them that things are achievable.”
The other finalists in the category were Bathford Village Shop and Café, a community owned shop that doubles as a tourist information centre and The Maybush Inn, Great Oakley, that opens its doors to host community meetings, club gatherings and social events.
Gemma Sills, Plunkett UK’s Engagement Manager, said: “It has been a great joy to recognise and celebrate all the finalists at this Rural Community Business Awards. Each one is truly dedicated to making a difference in their community and having a considerable impact on the lives of local people in a variety of different ways. Well done to all of this year’s winners - their award is very much deserved!”