Hawkesbury Upton, Avonside

Hawkesbury Upton, Avonside, has won the People category for the West England region of the 2008 Calor Village of the Year® award.

With a population of approximately 1,200, the Avonside village of Hawkesbury Upton is situated to the north east of Bristol.

Over recent years, the village has been growing and changing but the heart still remains strong, and the shared values remain.

Residents work together on an ongoing basis to create a community that cares and where people look out for each other.

A vibrant, energetic and happy village, residents’ enthusiasm and passion for their community is palpable. They work hard to organise events which not only offer entertainment but also raise funds for a number of very worthwhile causes – both within the village itself and to benefit the wider community and beyond.

Newcomers are welcomed to the village and long-term residents work hard to help them integrate into village life – whether it’s inviting them round for a meal, or a drink at the local pub, or letting them know what’s going on and where to find out about events and activities that are relevant to them.

There is a great deal of fundraising within the community that is carried out by villagers of all ages.

Fundraising activities have been particularly successful at supporting Hawkesbury Upton’s sporting facilities, including the Cricket Club. In turn, these sports facilities also offer their support back to the community, for example offering their grounds for village events.

In terms of serving the needs of their younger and older residents, the village is also very successful. The newly established Hawkesbury Volunteer Transport Group will be an enormous help for villagers who struggle to get to medical appointments, improving the quality of life of inhabitants significantly.