Sussex business successful at South East Rural Business Awards

22nd October 2019

 

Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm, near Battle, won two awards in the South East finals of the Rural Business Awards, in partnership with Amazon, which were held in Canterbury last week and regionally sponsored by Openreach and Hunters Law.

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Plantation owner Clive Collins was the winner in the ‘Triumph Over Adversity Award’ and worker Toby Ballard was named ‘Rural Young Person of the Year’. Both Clive and Toby go through to the national finals in February which are being held in Manchester.  The farm was also shortlisted for the ‘Best Rural Retail Business’ category in recognition of its excellent Christmas shop and customer service.

Clive Collins said: “We were absolutely thrilled to win two awards and to be shortlisted in a third. It was particularly pleasing that Toby Ballard’s contribution to rural business can be shown off. He is a talented young man who loves working outdoors and gets on with people. To get this type of endorsement is brilliant for him, and we are really looking forward to the national finals now.”

“As a local business for local people, we love what we do – bringing joy to customers and their families with a wonderful Christmas-time experience in our corner of East Sussex.”

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Now in its fifth year, the Rural Business Awards is the only UK-wide programme dedicated to showcasing the success of countryside businesses.

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Awards co-founder Jemma Clifford said: “Anna and I are so proud to be hosting the fourth annual Rural Business Awards together with Amazon. When we started the Awards we wanted to shine a much-needed light on successful rural firms but the success of the RBAs is beyond what we ever imagined. We were blown away with the diversity of our entries this year so being short listed in any of the categories is an extraordinary achievement – hearty congratulations to Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm and all the other finalists.”

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With more than 30 years’ of experience, Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm has one simple philosophy – to provide good service and quality Sussex trees at reasonable prices. Customers especially like the option of reserving a tree in the plantation with a ribbon.

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When the festive barn shop is open, Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm is the place for Christmas, offering tree stands, lights, decorations and wreaths under one roof.

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The farm opens on Saturday 16th November to Christmas Eve, 9am to 6pm daily. Customers can reserve their tree in the plantation from 16th November until Friday 29th November only.

For more information go to www.catsfieldchristmastreefarm.com

ENDS

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For more information or interview requests contact Suzi Christie on 07590 591140 or email suzi@blueberry-pr.co.uk