2010 Bear Pit Winner - Carol Powell of Re-Jigged Ltd

Up and Coming Entrepreneurs Shortlisted for Dragons Den-Style Business Competition Final 6th June 2011

5 of the region’s best new entrepreneurs have been shortlisted for the final of a prestigious business competition, taking place at the Three Counties Show (17 – 19 June 2011)

Charlie Beldam(Cotswold Gold), Serena Crump (The Cookery Club), Katherine Jones (Redback Images Ltd), Ben Kinnaird (Rather Inventive) and Tracey Ricketts (Herefordshire Deli Hampers), will go head to head in The Bear Pit Business Competition at Malvern’s Three Counties Showground, on Friday 17 June.

Sponsored by Parkinson Wright Solicitors and now in its fourth year, the Bear Pit Business Competition aims to find the best young business enterprise or idea in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

Businesses must demonstrate support for the rural economy through innovation and sustainability. There’s a cash prize of £1000, and a package of ‘money can’t buy’ business assistance for the winner.

All five shortlisted candidates will have just fifteen minutes to present their business case to the judging panel, and the results will be announced towards the end of the afternoon.

This year’s judges are Peter Lewis, Head of Family Law at Parkinson Wright, Jamie Inglis of Business Link West Midlandsand Robbie Hazlehurst of the Federation of Small Businesses.

The Three Counties Agricultural Society’s own Estate Manager, John Wilesmith, is Master of Ceremonies.

Said John: “The Bear Pit Competition is one of many initiatives undertaken by the Society to promote and support local rural businesses, and it continues to go from strength to strength.

The standard of entries was extremely high this year which signals growing recognition that the competition is fast becoming a very worthwhile opportunity for young business people to get that first crucial step on the ladder.”

The Bear Pit Business Competition is one of the attractions in the Show’s Rural Business Support Pavilion (RBSP), sponsored by The Federation of Small Businesses, and supported by Business Link West Midlands, LDA Meats, Marks & Spencer, HSBC, CLA, NFU and Waitrose.

RBSP is primarily a centre for farmers and other rural business people to obtain expert information and practical assistance and advice. It is also the venue for presentations by Nuffield scholars in the region.

It is, however, open to all Show visitors, who can learn about everything from creating renewable energy resources and helping to reduce fuel bills, to the importance of buying Red Tractor assured food.

Local market towns will be providing the entertainment this year, with a programme of music, dance and poetry from a whole host of talented performers.

Exhibitors include Country Land and Business Association, Energy Now, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Federation of Small Businesses, Heart of England Fine Foods, Herefordshire College of Technology, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Rural Hubs, Midwest Rural Enterprise, Metnet, Nuffield Scholars, Parkinson Wright, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), Wychavon Market Towns, Bromyard Folk Festival, Ledbury Poetry Festival, Upton Jazz Festival and Visit Herefordshire.

Finalists:

Finalist Business Name Location Business Description
Charlie Beldam Cotswold Gold Broadway, Worcestershire Extra virgin cold pressed rapeseed oil from the family farm.
Serena Crump The Cookery Club Kenchester, Herefordshire Demonstration/hands-on cooking and sampling evenings for busy people.
Katherine Jones Redback Images Ltd Malvern, Worcestershire Equine photography with a difference. Behind the scenes.
Ben Kinnaird Rather Inventive Hereford, Herefordshire Using the internet more effectively in business.
Tracey Ricketts Herefordshire Deli Hampers Bodenham, Herefordshire Hamper bags for life using Herefordshire produce from Herefordshire producers.

This press release is available on e-mail and via RSS feed. The Three Counties Show is a fundraising event on behalf of the Three Counties Agricultural Society. (Registered charity no: 511868).

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