Judges' Comments on the entry from Community Action for Nether Stowey.
Whilst performing well in all competition categories, the judges consider Community Action for Nether Stowey worthy winners of the Business Category award.
Community Action for Nether Stowey has clearly taken an effective lead in comprehensively promoting the diverse interests of this relatively large Somerset community including business provision. The group obviously has strengths to which others may inspire in aiding employment and parishioner service provision through an impressive list of businesses, including, the school, health centre, fire station, library, post office, three shops, butchers, hairdressers, estate agents, book shop, garage, pubs, café, farm shop, livery, vets, village hall, and church centre as well as other businesses that are run locally. The judges (and others) recognise that some of this provision, in many, if not most, village communities are "threatened" if not already "extinct" "species"! More than a hint of community planning "best practice" here, from which other communities might learn, the judges feel.
The judges felt that the obvious community support for business fitted well with Community Action for Nether Stowey's wider drive to see to the needs of all members of the community, including the elderly, those with restricted mobility and youth.