When Bourton Road Butchers were announced as winners of RAF Brize Norton’s BRAVOS Awards for the Best Business Award, owners of the business Nicola and Ryan Bishop were shocked as they did not expect their commitment to the local community to be recognised in such a way.
“We were up against three other local businesses,” Nicola explains. “When we were announced winners of this category, not only was I shocked but I was also so pleased and extremely proud of what my team has achieved since we opened Bourton Road Butchers three years ago. We all work together to ensure that we offer our customers the best quality local meat we can at affordable prices. We have also made the most of our family’s allotment to grow vegetables which we sell in the shop. Anything which does not sell is donated to the Carterton Food Bank. The whole team enjoys meeting new customers and then becoming friends with them. Since moving to the butchers to where we are now, we have a fantastic customer based and also have made some very good friends.”
Nicola and Ryan brought out what was Barry’s Butchers in 2017, and opened the Bourton Road Butchers at 16 Black Bourton Road, Carterton in 2020. In addition to Nicola and Ryan selling meat, both in the shop and online, Alex joined the butchery team in April. Kellie (Nicola’s cousin) runs their takeaway food counter which is a favourite of both the general public and members of RAF Brize Norton. Tina, who works part-time, is a close friend and she is responsible for making their superb sausages and burgers. The team also offer pig roasts, BBQ’s and cold buffets. They have also created their own Carterton Fried Chicken which as you would expect is as tasty as another popular High Street brand!
The glittering RAF Brize Norton’s 11th BRAVOS Awards evening was held on the 20th October 2023 with guests enjoying the evening in one of Brize Norton’s aircraft hangers that had been suitably transformed to meet the high profile occasion. The Awards were presented against the backdrop of an Atlas C.1 A400M aircraft. Brize’s Recognition Awards for Valued and Outstanding Service celebrate the successes and achievements, not only of Station personnel across the Whole Force but also civil servants and contractors at RAF Brize Norton as well as recognising local companies serving the community and RAF base.
Sporting achievements, volunteering work and operational commitments were all recognised at the Awards which were attended by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Sir Richard Knighton. The 2023 BRAVOS Award winners were:
- Sporting Achievement Award – Mr Charlie Dye
- Valliant Volunteer Award - Chief Technician Ian Conn
- Operational Safety Award - Explosive Storage Team
- Flight Lieutenant David Lord VC DFC Memorial Award – Flying Officer Ryan Connor
- Group Captain F L Robinson DSO MC DFC Memorial Award - Air Specialist 1 Moudud Kabiry
- ASTRA Award - Sergeant Charlie Gager
- Best Business Award – Bourton Road Butchers
- Station Commander’s Award – Mrs Vicki Mason
- Commander Air Wing’s Award – Flight Lieutenant Marcus Norman
- Top Team Award - Safety Equipment Section
The night included two extra awards presented at the end of the evening. The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Maria Webster for her unwavering dedication to the RAF Brize Norton community over 25 years. This was followed by the RAF Centenary Trophy, presented by the Chief of the Air Staff to the RAF Brize Norton Compass Committee, recognised for work supporting special educational needs within the military community.
All images are MOD Crown Copyright
