Pat Smith aka Action Nan and Nanny Pat reflects on what entering and winning Gold for Bosinver means to her
After we returned from the glamorous awards celebration in Truro Cathedral, clutching the 2025/6 trophy for the Best Self Catering in Cornwall, someone joked that we would have to build another trophy cabinet as Bosinver has so many! That started me thinking about why I continue to enter into these competitions and why they are important to me.
Firstly a bit of family history. I was born just after the Second World War to hard-working parents. My Mum always regretted her lack of opportunity for education and she did everything she could to support and encourage me and my brother to work hard at school to pass our exams, markers of our success. We were the only two children on our council estate to go to Grammar school and I was firmly in the ‘average’ category even though I worked my socks off!
I imagine that my love-filled, money-poor, average-achieving childhood, coupled with Mum’s ambition, has made me seek out and value markers as proof of my success. Receiving an award (even a Girl Guide one!) has always been validation for my own hard work. I always try to do my best in whatever I set out to achieve and to receive acknowledgment for that effort makes me proud.
As far as the business goes, winning awards wins you respect from industry competitors, is a morale booster for your team, shines a light on what you do well, showcases your product and gives you free publicity. Future customers will use it as a marker of the quality and standards you provide and hopefully choose you over the competition. It’s a win, win situation all round, coupled with being able to give my sparkly posh frock an airing!
