GROUPS and individuals who have an idea for a business venture based on Exmoor may now apply for the 2019 Pinnacle Award.

Organised by The Exmoor Society, the award is open to young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 27 who live, work or study in the Greater Exmoor area.

It offers up to £3,000 to an individual or group in, for example, agriculture, forestry, food and drink, conservation, horticulture, craft, tourism or any outdoor land-based activity. Previous applications have come from people with ideas as diverse as making cider and developing a herd of pedigree cattle.

There were three successful applicants in 2018: Polly Goodman, Philip Stephens and Camilla Waterer, who were developing respectively, goat meat from local herds, vehicle canopies from lightweight material and horse-drawn carriage rides over the moor for celebrations and special picnics. All three applicants impressed the judges so much that trustees decided to offer the full award to each one.

Details of how to apply are in this week’s Free Press.