Rural successes honoured at Isle of Wight awards
CLA-backed awards ceremony recognises dynamism of island's rural economy
The 2025 winners of the Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society’s rural awards, backed by the CLA, have been crowned.
They were honoured at a ceremony at the Royal Isle of Wight County Show at the weekend, with CLA director Tim Bamford on hand to congratulate the new recipients.
The annual awards recognise those individuals and businesses who represent the very best of rural achievement on the Isle of Wight.
The winners of this year’s awards:
Rural Business of the Year - Sweet Honey Studios
Rural Young Person of the Year
Winner – Ralph Rickard
Finalists – Emily Smith, Mollie Sheath
Wight Marque Food Business of the Year
Winner – Godshill Orchards
Finalists – IOW Fudge Company, IW Deer Farm
Rural Tourism Business of the Year
Winner – IOW Fudge Company
Finalists – Godshill Orchards, Compton Farm
Small Countryside Business of the Year
Winner – Compton Farm
Finalists – Vectis Radio, Sarah Kearney Glass and Silversmith, Naturally Essential, ChilliWinter, IOW Fudge Company, IW Deer Farm
Countryside Business of the Year
Winner – NFU Mutual Isle of Wight
Finalists – BCM Wilson Hill
Rural Art and Craft Business of the Year
Winner – Sweet Honey Studios
Finalists – I Love Wight Events, Sarah Kearney Glass and Silversmith, Naturally Essential, ChilliWinter, IOW Fudge Company
School Participation Award
Winners – Greenmount Primary School and St Georges School.
'Lifeblood'
The awards honour those who demonstrate success and achievement from all parts of the island’s rural economy and celebrates the breadth and depth of the rural sector.
The panel of judges were made up of Gill Kennett from the Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society, and Richard Knowles.
The awards reflect the work and focus of the Royal Isle of Agricultural Society and the CLA.
Tim Bamford, Regional Director of CLA South East which represents farmers, landowners and rural businesses across the island, said: “Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who took part, it’s inspiring to see how vibrant and dynamic the Isle of Wight’s rural economy is.
“The CLA is proud to support rural businesses on the island, as they are the lifeblood of communities and help feed the nation, look after the environment and support jobs and the wider economy.”