A BORDERS pub offering a lynch pin for its community has been lauded at an awards ceremony dubbed the ‘Rural Oscars’.

The Countryside Alliance staged its annual awards at the House of Lords in London, where several rural businesses were crowned national champions.

Representing Scotland, The Gordons Arm Bar & Kitchen in Main Street, Gordon, won the highly commended award in the pub category. This category honours rural pubs that play a central role in their communities.

The Countryside Alliance Awards – now in their 17th year – recognise rural businesses across five categories, including ‘best pub’, ‘best village shop/ post office’, ‘best butcher’, ‘best for local food a drink’ and the ‘rural enterprise award’. These businesses go the extra mile within their communities, supporting the local economy and championing local goods and services.

Thousands of nominations from around the country were whittled down via a public vote, with the final few being honoured at awards ceremonies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, respectively.

The final awards ceremony was held on Tuesday (June 25) sponsored by the Earl of Leicester. The awards were presented by Countryside Alliance Chairman, The Rt Hon Lord Herbert of South Downs, and attended by a number of peers.

The esteemed judging panel said: “Since buying the Gordon Arms its owners have transformed the pub into a lynch-pin for a community in which they and their staff are deeply rooted.

“It runs its own community events and supports those of other groups, and has assumed still more vital a role after becoming the last service business left in the village.”

Sarah Lee, director of policy for the Countryside Alliance, said: “This important ceremony was about celebrating the hard work of all those behind rural businesses who are so obviously passionate about providing quality goods, services, and employment in our precious countryside.

“At the regional – and now the national – level, the Countryside Alliance is proud to be honouring these businesses and the individuals behind them, who rose to the top amongst the countless other worthy businesses nominated.”