It’s the end of the Muddy Awards 2022 and the Winners – as voted by you (thousands and thousands of you ) – gathered together to celebrate being crowned the ‘best of the best’, on a gloriously sunny afternoon at the gorgeous Jordans Courtyard near Ilminster.

You don’t know Jordans Courtyard? You really should! The eat-shop-wellness destination is simply one of the loveliest places in Somerset to while away a few hours. You can take a yoga or pilates class, treat yourself to a facial or massage, mind-body treatment or manicure, go shopping – there’s women’s fashion, interiors, a garden nursery and more. Come for lunch and a glass of wine or coffee and cake at The Old Calf Shed – or rock up to a Muddy Awards Winners’ drinks party.

Running a business requires great effort and to make it a successful one that brightens up our daily lives, adding to our community, is no mean feat.

So it’s an honour to be able to celebrate this on behalf of hard-working business owners across Somerset, Dorset and, for the first time this year, Bristol.

The whole thing was a blast from beginning to end. Getting to meet inspirational, creative people – after all, finding brilliant local businesses is right at the heart of what we do – is one of the reasons I love working for Muddy.

Spectacular, 10 feet high floral displays created by Cottage Flowers set the scene.

We sipped a heavenly, chilled rosé from Somerset wine merchant Vine Wine, poured from elongated, showstopper bottles (have you ever seen anything like them?). La Collection Côtes de Thau Rosé, Maison Boutinot 2021, ‘case you want to impress your own guests – call Paddy at Vine Wine and he’ll sort you out.

We nibbled on scrumptious savoury canapés – little spicy meatballs and assorted deliciousnesses on toasty bits – conjured up by Nell and her culinary whizzes at The Old Calf Shed.

Keisha from The Pastry Bench is the genius behind these moreish, mini Black Forest choux buns.

Dorset-based photographer Bella West of Bella West Photography was on hand to capture the day. Super talented, she specialises in taking natural, stunning portraits, but you probably don’t need me to tell you that. I mean, look at these images.

Once everyone had arrived I gave a (mercifully) short speech and said some thank yous, and then it was down to the serious business of handing out the certificates, toasting, celebrating, hobnobbing, slurping of wine and taking of pix.

Marcus and Tom from the chic but laid-back Somerset Bar in Ilminster (Best Bar). We’re looking forward to the grand opening of that roof top bar, boys.

Lucy, Janemarie and Sharon from Salon on the Square in Beaminster, looking super gorgeous (though you’d expect nothing less from the Best Beauty Salon).

Karen and Bill from the luxury Outbuildings, near Bridport (Best Boutique Stay).

Kate from Kate Walker Bridal didn’t have to come far – her bespoke wedding dress business is based at Jordans Courtyard (Best Bridal Store).

James from The Packhorse South Stoke, near Bath – a excellent pub with brilliant countryside walks nearby – the perfect combo for the Best Destination Pub.

Caitlin and Ange from Cottage Flowers, which used to be in Ilminster and is now based at Jordans Courtyard, and provided the beautiful backdrop to all these photos (Best Florist).

The rather lovely Laurie and Elly from the former coaching inn turned rather lovely boutique hotel The Kings Arms in Dorchester (Best Hotel/Inn).

No stranger to the limelight, Dan Musselwhite from Daniel Musselwhite Jewellery in Frome was runner up on last year’s BBC TV eries All that Glitters as well as winning Best Jeweller in Somerset, Dorset & Bristol.

Charlotte from The Hambledon Gallery in Blandford Forum (Best Lifestyle Store), who are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. Happy birthday!

Sam and Annie from Baboo Gelato near Bridport have the best job: making artisan ice cream using organic milk and fresh real ingredients (not flavourings) from the West County – yum yum yum (Best Local Producer Food/Drink).

Gareth’s one half of the team behind Frome’s cool new pottery cafe Made at Nest (Best Lifestyle Start Up).

Joe and Tabi from 28 Market Place in Somerton. Somerset & Dorset’s Best Restaurant serves top notch food and champions the best of the West Country, using produce from many suppliers located within two miles of the restaurant (now that’s what we call cutting down on food miles).

Lucy from Coconut & Cotton in Shaftesbury, where it’s all about plastic-free everyday living (Best Sustainable Business).

Poppy and Shelley from Grace & Mabel, the womenswear biz with shops in Bath and Clifton, stocks some of the world’s top designers. (Best Women’s Fashion Store).

Upright for once: Rachael and Alex from Lunasana Yoga in Yeovil (Best Yoga/Pilates Studio)

Goodie bags to go!

Everyone had a bag of goodies to take home, courtesy of some of the local designer/makers/artisan producers who are part of the fabulous Somerset Collective. This is a collection of around 90 independent West Country retailers, who pop up all over the place – including here at Jordans Courtyard – selling their wares and raising money for charity. So what was inside our bulging bags?

This little lot:

Clockwise from top L to R: As Raw As, Coppertop Cards, Get Pickled Somerset, Hunter Gatherer, Old Mill Furniture & Interiors and The Pastry Bench.

Scrummy heart-shaped raw, vegan, gluten-free chocolate, handmade by Emily of As Raw As.
Beautiful hand-finished calligraphy greetings cards designed by Susie of Coppertop Cards
Delicious Alt Kimchi and Banana Spicy Banana Ketchup handmade by Frome-based preserve enthusiast Paula of Get Pickled Somerset.
Clever personalised Muddy Stilettos Winner bamboo toothbrushes from Harriet at Hunter Gatherer.
Fragrant perfumed candle from Emma at homewares store The Old Mill Furniture & Interiors, part of the Somerset Collective and based at Jordans Courtyard.
Perfect pink macarons from luxury baker Keisha of The Pastry Bench, also part of the Somerset Collective and based at Jordans Courtyard.

Clockwise from top L to R: Pop a Choc (lanyard), Pop a Choc, Tam Mason Skincare, Jordans Courtyard Wellness Spa and the Wild Women Tea Club.

Super useful, animal print phone lanyards by ONK Wear.
Chocolate from novelty chocolatier Popachoc.
Nourishing natural sugar skin scrubs made with essential oils by Tam of Tam Mason Skincare.
Herbal-infused teas created with the female body in mind by Joney of the Wild Women Tea Club.
OPI Pro Spa hand softening gloves from Jordan Courtyards Wellness & Yoga.

A huge thank you to Jacqui (left), Nell (right) and Keisha and everybody else at Jordans Courtyard, who pulled out all the stops to put on a totally brilliant event. I couldn’t recommend them more highly.

A huge thank to everyone who took the time to give their local favourites a pat on the back and vote in the Awards. Without you there would be no Winners, no Winners’ party – even no Awards.

Finally, a massive congratulations to everyone who found themselves nominated, a Finalist and eventually a Winner. It really hit home how much talent, character and good-feeling there is here in Somerset and Dorset.