It’s a genuine privilege to help the worthy winners celebrate their success at the Muddy Awards Winners’ Drinks party. Some have been in business for years; others are newbies but each and every one is an inspiration. It’s been a helluva year and a challenge just to survive, let alone win an award! Just to remind you, this year over 75,000 businesses entered and 850,000 votes were cast across the 25 Muddy counties – over 60,000 votes in Somerset & Dorset alone – so it really is a massive achievement.

This year, we were hosted by the coolest place to eat, drink and chill in Bruton: the fabulous At the Chapel. The restaurant, bar, artisan bakery (with wood-fired oven) and wine store with eight bedrooms above, is housed in a 17th century building that was once an 18th century chapel. It’s a spectacular space to come for brunch, afternoon tea, takeaway, booze, bread, dinner, a weekend away – or hold an Awards do.

We were down in the The Clubhouse…

With its intimate atmosphere, club chairs, bar and opening out onto a covered terrace – it’s perfect for a party.

Add in flowing fizz dotted with floating flowers, botanical non-alcoholic Pentire with sprigs of rosemary, magnificent Westcombe cheddar cheese straws, beetroot and gorgonzola arancini, heritage tomato and basil bruschetta.

And we’re off….

Cheers, dears!

The youngest guest (just five days old).

Let the presentations commence.

Clockwise from top left: Claire of Wrixton-Smyth Creations; Jon from Harry’s Cider Company; Cato from The Emporium Somerset; Andy & Kate from The Trading Post; and Molly and Hanna from Pamplemousse.

Again, clockwise from top left: Eliza of Eliza Gray Gardens; Konnor & Nick from Flow Bar; Sassi and Kristine from Sassi Holford; and Fiona from White Feather.

And finally, clockwise from top left: Paula from Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts; Lionel from Brendon Books; Pip from Pip’s Railway Carriage Cafe; Safia & Ian from Bootmakers Workshops; and Zoe & Alice from Symondsbury Tithe Barn.

THE FULL LIST OF DORSET & SOMERSET WINNERS

ART GALLERY: Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington

BAR: Flow Bar, Frome

BEAUTY SALON: Mowhay, Chilcompton

BOOKSHOP: Brendon Books, Taunton

BOUTIQUE STAY: The Newt in Somerset, Castle Cary

BRIDAL STORE: Sassi Holford, Taunton

CAFE: Pip’s Railway Carriage Cafe, Lopenhead

CHILDREN’S BUSINESS: Bootmakers Workshops, Wincanton

DAY SPA: Monart Day Spa, Poundbury

DESTINATION PUB: The Anchor Inn, Seatown

FAMILY ATTRACTION: Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre, Wareham

FARM SHOP/DELI: Trading Post Farm Shop, Lopenhead

FITNESS INSTRUCTOR: Rachel Staffe, Rachel Staff Fitness, Yeovil

FLORIST: Pamplemousse, Shaftesbury

GARDEN DESIGNER: Eliza Gray Gardens, Paulton

GIFT SHOP: The Emporium Somerset, Wellington

HAIR SALON: Medusa Apothecary, Dorchester

INTERIORS SHOP: Perfectly Lovely Interiors, Watchet

JEWELLER: Wrixton-Smyth Creations, Bridport

LOCAL FOOD/DRINK PRODUCER: Harry’s Cider Company, Long Sutton

NEW COVID BUSINESS: Burrito Boi, Frome

PHOTOGRAPHER: Sarah MAC Photography, Weymouth

RESTAURANT: The Station Kitchen, West Bay

THEATRE/ARTS VENUE: Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, Poole

WOMEN’S STORE: White Feather, Sherborne

YOGA/PILATES STUDIO: Mellulah, Milton Abbas

WEDDING VENUE: Symondsbury Tithe Barn, Bridport

AND FINALLY…

Huge thanks once again to everyone who voted in the Awards, to all the businesses that took part, Frome-based photographer Loveday Powell who took photos on the day and of course, Cath, Byrony and the rest of the team At the Chapel.

Same time next year?

Muddy Awards Winners’ Drinks

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