March was quite a month at Musgrove Willows. Aside from weaving and despatching a record number of willow coffins, completing the majority of the willow harvest and employing several new members of staff, the company won another very prestigious award.
Somerset Business Awards ‘Family Business of the Year’
Musgrove Willows was named, ‘Family Business of the Year’ in the Somerset Business Awards. These awards are hotly contested as the very best companies in Somerset compete in 14 categories. Usually, the awards culminate in the county’s largest black-tie ceremony. Unfortunately, like many awards, the Somerset Business Awards had to be postponed and a slick virtual event took place on Friday 26 March. So, unfortunately the posh frocks and DJs didn’t get an airing. Instead, the team got stuck into the contents of a luxury hamper which had kindly been delivered several days in advance of the event. If truth be told, our hamper was looking a little depleted (i.e. virtually empty) before the awards ceremony got underway.
Winning an award of this nature is a great honour. Musgrove Willows has been in existence as a family business for nearly a century. These days, four members of the Musgrove family have integral roles within the company; Mike, Ellen and their children Jack and Holly. Jack is a fourth generation willow grower and he and sister Holly are both determined to follow in their parents’ footsteps. That being said, every member of staff can take great pride in this award. It really is a team effort.
More awards
It has been an incredible few months for Musgrove Willows. At the end of February, the company was named ‘Best Rural Retail Business’ in the national Rural Business Awards. A few weeks prior, our family credentials were recognised in the Sedgemoor Business Awards as Musgrove Willows won, ‘Family Business of the Year‘.
The past 12 months have been incredibly challenging for all of us. Awards can be a great fillip. Independent recognition of a job well done. It’s something we all need from time to time!
