BRINKWORTH Dairy cheesemaker Ceri Cryer and her family were celebrating a highly commended award in the Countryside Alliance Rural Oscars last week when they were caught up the Westminster terrorist incident.

The business had been chosen as the south west champion in the farm enterprise category and Ceri, husband Chad, son Bede and parents Joe and Ro Collingborn, had gone to the House of Lords on Wednesday for the finals.

But, as detailed in the Advertiser last week, what started as a happy occasion ended with five hours in lockdown as events unfolded outside Parliament.

Afterwards Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said although the event was one of the highlights of the organisation’s year, it had ended in a strange and sombre style.

However he praised the winners of the competition, who had been whittled down from more than 7,500 public nominations nationwide.

“Together they represent so much that is so special about our countryside and it is a privilege to be able to honour them,” he added.

Although delighted with the dairy’s final highly commended award, Ceri said: “It is going to be overshadowed so much. We were there for a celebration then everything changed.”

During the ceremony Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “Rural businesses are not just the beating heart of our countryside – they are also a vital part of the UK’s economy, generating almost £230 billion every year.”