As we approach the challenges of 2025, we wanted to look back and celebrate one of the high points of 2024. It was a huge surprise to win Diversification of the Year at the British Farming Awards in October, and a fantastic seal of approval for everything that we’re doing at The Rhynd.
The entry, made back in the spring of last year, talked through the work we have done on the gym, café, event space, farmhouse, livery stables and clay ground, and the judges were interested enough to shortlist us and then interview us properly in the summer.
Ed and Lisa, always keen for a chance to dress up, went to Birmingham to the awards ceremony in October with no expectation of winning at all. When it got to the Diversification of the Year category and The Rhynd was read out, the look of shock from them both was as real as it was obvious!
“The team at The Rhynd,” the judges said, “continually seek to improve facilities and offerings based on feedback. Since Ed and Lisa took over, The Rhynd has significantly evolved, with diversification providing a stable income throughout the year. Strategic development of services, including expanding the event space and enhancing the café, has attracted more visitors. Ed emphasises teamwork, ensuring staff are engaged and motivated. The judges saw the diversification of the arable unit at Craigie Farm as a pivotal moment in the business’ 100-year history, with a wide range of offerings, the farm is now secured for the future.”
“It really was a massive surprise,” says Ed. “Lisa and I couldn’t believe it. We went up on stage, shook hands with Vernon Kay, who was presenting the evening, and Harriet Kerr from Sykes Cottages, the category sponsor. It was quite amusing as when we were all standing together on stage, Vernon turned to me and said, ‘blimey, you’re tall’, and then proceeded to stand on his tip toes for the official photos!
“Receiving the award was amazing for so many reasons, one of which being an appreciation of the team here that has worked so hard. From the farm guys through to the café staff, the livery and the maintenance teams, the coaches in the gym and at the clay ground, the office guys and girls, and the cleaning and garden teams. Without them working away in all weathers, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
“We’ve got so many exciting plans for this year, from small improvements to some larger changes. While we can’t share them all with you yet, I know they’ll take the offering we have at The Rhynd to a whole new level.”
“It’s very easy,” says Lisa, “to be so focussed on improving things on a day-to-day basis that you can sometimes forget how far you’ve come. To have an external panel of judges confirm that what we are doing isn’t madness, is wonderful. Well, maybe we are mad, but there is some reasoning behind it all! There were over 500 entries in 2024, so to come out on top really is like winning an Oscar.”
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