The first awards celebrating rural touring have been launched by the National Rural Touring Forum.
Guardian journalist Lyn Gardner, writer and researcher Francois Matarasso, Ed Collier of independent producing studio China Plate and Beccy Speight, chief executive of The Woodland Trust, make up the judging panel that will assess the shortlist formed by industry peers from nominations received from those working in rural touring.
Nominations are open until 5 May. The Rural Touring Awards have six categories:
- Most welcoming village hall or community venue
- Most innovative and/or inspirational show seen at a village hall or community venue
- Volunteer promoter of the year
- Most supportive touring scheme
- Rural touring newcomer of the year
- The NRTF special award
Winners will be notified by 26 May and the prize giving, at Nottingham University, will take place on 28 June during the NRTF conference.