Village of the Year 2009 launch

CALL TO ACTION FOR VILLAGES IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Villages throughout Gloucestershire with a population of 5,000 and under are being called to action as the Calor Gloucestershire Village of the Year competition 2009 was launched at Fairford today – last year’s competition winners.

Villages entering will be judged across 5 new categories - Children and Young People, Economic Development and Enterprise, Healthier Communities and Older People, Natural Built Environment and Safer and Stronger Communities. The competition is about recognising, rewarding and encouraging vibrant and sustainable village communities which pull together to make the best of local opportunities through both good times and bad. The Gloucestershire judging panel has again amended the entry form to make it easier for communities to complete and participate. This is reflected in the reduction of 8 categories to 5 and the prize pot has increased too, to £500 for the winner of a category and £100 for the runner up. All entries will automatically be put into the Grand Prize Draw with the chance of winning environmentally friendly prizes of a composter, shredder and strimmer, courtesy of B & Q in Gloucester. All winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, this year held at the prestigious Campden House in Chipping Campden on Friday 17th July 2009 at 7pm.

The deadline for entries to the 2009 Calor Gloucestershire Village of the Year competition is Friday 8th May 2009 and entry forms can be requested from Naomi McMahon at GRCC on 01452 528491, email naomim@grcc.org.uk or downloaded from the GRCC website at www.grcc.org.uk

“When you take part in something like this you learn so much about your own village. And at the end of the day, it’s the people who really make a place special.”