They came, they quaffed, they partied! The Muddy Award winners turned out in force to celebrate at beautiful Norwood Park in Southwell. We had it all – sunshine, drizzle and a biblical downpour – but it didn’t dampen the fun.

Gladrags were donned, stilettos were strapped on, and the tranquil surroundings were pierced with whoops of delight as the local winners of the Muddy Awards 2023 – as voted by you – gathered to celebrate being crowned the ‘best of the best’ in Notts & Derbyshire.

Whoop! The wonderful winners of the Muddy Awards 2023 / all photos by Martin Cheung

The Muddy Awards, in partnership with our fab national sponsor Beauty Pie, are a huge deal. This year over 77,000 businesses entered, 800,000 nominations and votes were cast, and 1.6 million people interacted with the Awards across the Muddy counties. The competition in Notts and Derbyshire was unprecedented so it was only right the victors had the opportunity to celebrate in style.

And what style. Elegant, sophisticated Norwood Park rose to the occasion (it was almost a relief to be forced indoors by the rain to make sure we made the most of those gorgeous country house interiors).

Corks popped and the prosecco came out and the talented team at Norwood served up trayfuls of seriously moreish canapés – rare roast sirloin of beef Yorkshires, sesame-dusted halloumi with harissa, local sausages with honey mustard glaze. Mwoah!

The table was set for afternoon teas with pretty pink pastel crockery and an a-ma-zing spread of Italian treats served up the incredible Lorna from Pasticceria Lorena – all with a perfectly-matched Muddy pink theme.

Lorena puts the finishing touches to her beautiful cakes.

Cathy showcased the first of three stunning designer dresses from Young Ideas. Three sound indulgent? There’s a backstory to this one – read it here. With three such beautiful dresses, it would be rude not to at least try and wear ‘em all…

Muddy Notts Derbyshire team Debra Tuck, commercial manager (left) and editor Cathy (right) in a Riani dress to get the party started.

Quick change: Cathy schmoozes in dress number two, a Diane Von Furstenberg beauty.

After the mingling it was down to the serious business of more toasting! Cathy stepped up to thank everyone, toast our brilliant winners and hand out the shiny gold certificates. Not everyone could quaff the fizz all afternoon (we are in the country after all and somebody’s gotta drive), so Franklin & Sons stepped in to provide some delicious non-alcoholic options (rose lemonade proved a big hit).

Debra Tuck, Muddy commercial manager celebrates with the winners.

Speech!

Cathy congratulates the winners in dress number three (too much?).

After the mingling it was down to the serious business of more toasting! Cathy stepped up to thank everyone, toast our brilliant winners and hand out the shiny gold certificates. Not everyone could quaff the fizz all afternoon (we are in the country after all and somebody’s gotta drive), so Franklin & Sons stepped in to provide some delicious non-alcoholic options (rose lemonade proved a big hit).

Lyndsey from Jarva Gallery collects her Muddy Award from Cathy.

View the Oscar-worthy video

How about this for an Oscar-worthy behind-the-scenes video of the whole brilliant bash? With thanks to the super-talented Daiga Cheung of No Ordinary Films (click on the You Tube link to see it full screen). And after making us all feel like movie stars, she dodged downpours to capture some incredible aerial footage with her drone.

And then it was time for the official photo opps, glittering certificates in hand. Our man behind the camera was marvellous Martin Cheung, as brilliant at portraits and working the room as he is at the candid behind-the-scenes stuff. The perfect gentleman, he’s pretty handy with a brolly too (scroll down to see him gallantly helping out our winners!).

Introducing our stellar winners…

**BEST ART GALLERY:** Jarva Gallery (Whaley Bridge)

BEST CHILDREN’S BUSINESS: Messy Play, Derby

BEST DAY SPA: The Scented Garden, Orston

**FAMILY ATTRACTION:** White Post Farm (Newark)

**FARM SHOP/DELI:** Spring Lane Farm Shop (Mapperley)

**FITNESS INSTRUCTOR:** Lorna Marie Fitness (Lowdham)

**BEST HAIR SALON and BEST BEAUTY SALON:** The Lounge (Ashbourne)

**BEST LOCAL FOOD/DRINK PRODUCER:** Cup & Saucer (Clay Cross)

**BEST **HOTEL/INN (WITH 30+ ROOMS):** Casa Hotel (Chesterfield)**

**BEST** **JEWELLER:** Last Night I Dreamt (Southwell)

**BEST **NEW LIFESTYLE START-UP:** Pura Vida Collective (Derby)**

**BEST **DESTINATION PUB:** The Flying Childers Inn (Stanton-in-the-Peak)**

**BEST **RESTAURANT:** escabeche (West Bridgford)**

**BEST **WEDDING VENUE:** The Renaissance at Kelham Hall (Newark)**

**BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO:** Yoga Squad (Newark)

Congrats too to our other winners who were either camera shy or unable to attend. Well done to:

BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: Esther Louise Triffitt (Notts)

BEST WOMEN’S FASHION: Real Clothing (Southwell)

BEST SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE BUSINESS: Refills on the Road (Matlock)

BEST THEATRE/ARTS VENUE: QUAD (Derby)

BEST LIFESTYLE STORE: Design 44 (Derby)

Our gallant photographer Martin Cheung trying to avoid muddy stilettos!

Goody bag time

Going home treats from Pasticceria Lorena in perfect Muddy pink

And just as the heavens opened, the guests were off goody bags in hand with treats from Pasticceria Lorena, Beauty Pie and Lorna Marie Fitness.

And that’s a wrap!

Yes, that’s the teeny tiny Muddy Notts & Derbyshire team waving bye bye until next year when we go again. If you’re a brilliant local company, make it your business to join us for 2024. Thank you – you’ve all been brilliant. Cheers!

Pop the corks! Muddy Awards 2023 Winners’ Drinks

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