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South Wales Argus
25-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
UK's best butcher is N S James in Raglan, Monmouthshire
N S James Butchers in Raglan, Monmouthshire, won the title at the 2025 Countryside Alliance Awards after first being crowned Best Butcher in Wales. The UK finals took place at the House of Lords, following their success in the Welsh round of the competition. Monmouth MS Peter Fox praised the business for its achievement. Mr Fox said: "As a Member of the Senedd, we often deal with bad news and difficult issues, so it is always nice to be presented with a good news story such as this, and also the opportunity to celebrate our butcher industry and local businesses. "N S James has been ever present in my constituency and is a staple of Raglan. "I often visit when I am in the area, and would recommend everyone to pop in if they are in the area. "Whilst of course not showing favouritism to any one business, I would encourage everyone to shop locally when they can." He also highlighted the value of the Countryside Alliance Awards in promoting rural businesses. Mr Fox said: "The Countryside Alliance awards are an excellent way to not just recognise, but to support and promote our rural communities. "They celebrate people who do that extra thing to support our industries, and it's exciting to see so many businesses taking part and receiving plaudits." He said it was no surprise to see N S James take the UK title after their regional win.
South Wales Argus
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Raglan butcher Neil James wins UK award
The award-winning butcher has scooped first prize in this year's Countryside Alliance Awards. Neil trades as N S James and can be found on Crown Square, Raglan. Previously, Neil topped the Welsh leg of the butchery section and won a trip to the House of Lords, where the Countryside Alliance UK finals were held. Neil then faced off against one Scottish, one Northern Irish and five English butchers in the high stakes final. Naturally, Neil's famous faggots and general expertise brought home the bacon. Neil's faggots are made from prime cuts of pork and lamb, sourced locally. The butcher uses named local farms to cut down on food miles and combines support for local farming and superb animal handling with secret spice mixes for both the lamb and the pork which are contained within the faggot. These are then combined to transform the much-maligned meat into a multiple award-winning treat. Neil continues to challenge the serotype of faggots being 'dull, poor man's food'. Like many an educated palate, Neil knows that good food comes from traditions and how folk had to learn and pass on simple tricks on how to make food go further and do better. N S James has previously been featured on BBC's Hairy Bikers programme, where Dave Myers challenged local youngsters to try the unfashionable food. Naturally, Neil's faggots won many young converts. Neil's commitment to the countryside won this compliment from the Countryside Alliance: 'With a steadfast commitment to low food miles and locally sourced livestock, they're not just feeding the community, they're nourishing its roots. 'Their in-house abattoir and hand-crafted produce demonstrate a level of care and expertise rarely seen today. Add to that their presence at rural events and support for local producers, and it's clear that N.S. James is more than a butcher, they are the beating heart of a thriving rural network, proudly flying the flag for farming and food heritage.' The Countryside Alliance Awards were born of a need to support and promote rural communities. They celebrate people going the extra mile to ensure that rural Britain's food and farming industry, small businesses, traditional skills, forward-thinking enterprises and, most of all, its people, can flourish. As a business, N S James, the oldest independent butcher in Wales, supply both the wholesale trade, award winning chefs, local institutions and its all-important shop customers.
Wales Online
19-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
The UK's best butcher is based in Wales
The UK's best butcher is based in Wales The family-run business has been serving its community since being established in 1959 This family-run shop has been declared as the 'best butcher' in the UK (Image: Google Maps ) A Welsh family-run butcher shop which has been going for nearly six decades has been named as the best butcher across the United Kingdom. Hailed as a 'true champion' of farming, the NS James Butchers in Raglan is one of the oldest butchers in Wales. The were declared as the 'best butcher' in Wales and across the UK during the 'Rural Oscars' event organised by the Countryside Alliance. Held annually for 18 years, the event recognises rural businesses across different categories like the 'best local food', 'best butcher', 'best pub', 'best rural enterprise', and 'best village shop/post office' across the UK. This year, two of awards in the categories, of 'best butcher', and 'best rural enterprise' category were won by Welsh enterprises. NS James W Butcher with Baroness Mallalieu, President of the Countryside Alliance (Image: Countryside Alliance ) Best butcher The family run NS James Butchers based in Raglan, Monmouthshire. They have been recognised for 'nourishing' their community's roots. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here The Countryside Alliance praise said: 'Farming has a true champion in N.S. James Butchers of Raglan. With a steadfast commitment to low food miles and locally sourced livestock, they're not just feeding the community, they're NS James Butchers in Raglan its roots. Article continues below "Their in-house abattoir and hand-crafted produce demonstrate a level of care and expertise rarely seen today. Add to that their presence at rural events and support for local producers, and it's clear: N.S. James is more than a butcher, they are the beating heart of a thriving rural network, proudly flying the flag for farming and food heritage." Best Rural Enterprise Coterie Leather with the Earl of Leicester (Image: Countryside Alliance ) Coterie Leather, based out of Pembrokeshire, has been crowned as the best rural enterprise across the UK. It has been recognised for setting a 'benchmark for rural businesses nationwide.' The Countryside Alliance said: "Coterie Leather exemplifies the essence of rural enterprise, blending sustainability, craftsmanship, and community engagement. "Tracy Watkins has not only created a brand that produces beautiful, ethical products but also fosters education and environmental responsibility. Her dedication to preserving traditional skills while innovating within the fashion industry sets a benchmark for rural businesses nationwide." Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: 'Now in their eighteenth year, the Countryside Alliance Awards continue to shine a spotlight on the people and enterprises that form the backbone of rural Britain. These stories of perseverance, ingenuity, and community spirit deserve to be heard in the corridors of power. 'Whether you're here representing a family farm, a village shop, a local pub, or a rural enterprise, you are all standard bearers for the countryside and the communities that depend on it. 'These awards are about more than just business. They celebrate the people and values that keep rural life alive, commitment to community, a passion for produce, innovation, sustainability, and good old-fashioned hard work. It's a privilege to welcome such outstanding ambassadors of rural Britain to Westminster.' Article continues below
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Country pub at 'heart of community' scoops award after mystery nomination
A pub near Lancaster has secured a top award - and the pub's team have no idea who nominated them. The Fleece Inn, at Dolphinholme, has won The Countryside Alliance Best Pub Award for the North of England. But neither director Simeon, nor any member of his 25-strong team, knows who nominated the pub for the award. Simeon said: "To this day, we still don't know who nominated us. "We have very loyal customers - some come in every day. "We also have some customers who travel every Sunday from Pendle to eat with us. Our staff are similarly loyal. "All are from the local area and most have remained with us since we opened ten years ago, when my family took over and transformed the establishment." As well as being a pub, the Fleece Inn also provides nine rooms, plus one self-contained apartment and, unusually, the village shop. Simeon explained: "We're not just a pub, we are at the heart of the community, and our staff and customers have become great friends. "It was important we provided essential services to residents, so we opened the village shop where they can buy local produce, a newspaper, and other items. "Our weekly quiz night and warm and friendly bar area often provide social interaction and comfort for those who may be more socially isolated. "We also do what we can to limit our carbon footprint for the area in which we're based. "We have electric car charging points, and the pub's heating and hot water is provided through a biomass boiler. "We're proud to be part of the Forest of Bowland Sustainable Tourism Network, and one of the locals keeps beehives on our paddock behind the pub. READ MORE: The Range set to open at former Homebase unit in Clitheroe The Rock Box bar in Blackburn closes due to financial issues Meet the couple behind Blackburn's 'house of train signs' "Of course, we look to the county for our food and drink. "This includes Dewlay cheeses, and wine from D Byrne in Clitheroe, while our house beer is brewed five miles away, and our meat is from Honeywells in Woodplumpton." The Fleece Inn now has a chance to win the national title at a Countryside Alliance Awards ceremony at the House of Lords in June.
Western Telegraph
03-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire businesses win at Countryside Alliance Awards
Coterie Leather and Velfrey Vineyard were named the best in Wales in the 'Rural Enterprise' and 'Best for Local Food and Drink' categories respectively. They will now represent Wales at the UK-wide Countryside Alliance Awards final at the House of Lords in London on June 18. The awards, now in their 17th year, are often dubbed the "Rural Oscars" and celebrate businesses that support their local economy, nurture community spirit, and drive rural development. Local Senedd member Samuel Kurtz congratulated the businesses on their success. He said: "A huge congratulations to Velfrey Vineyard and Coterie Leather on their well-deserved wins at the Countryside Alliance Awards. "This is a truly remarkable achievement and a clear indication that Pembrokeshire continues to set the standard for rural excellence and enterprise. "These awards are not just about outstanding products or services; they celebrate the people, passion, and perseverance that underpin them. "Both businesses exemplify the very best of what our rural communities have to offer. "Pembrokeshire's thriving rural businesses are gaining the recognition they deserve, and rightly so. "Now, as they head to the national finals at the House of Lords, we'll all be cheering them on. "Their success is a credit to our county, and we couldn't be prouder."
