Press Archive

Suffolk Village of the Year Competition - Deadline Approaching

Suffolk villages are being reminded that if they want to enter this year’s Village of the Year competition they must act now to get their entry in before the closing date of Saturday 30th April.

Information and entry forms went out to eligible villages during February, and competition organiser on behalf of the Suffolk Association of Local Councils (SALC), Rona Burt, is keen to stress the benefits available to villages if they take part. She commented: “Thanks to competition support from Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) this year, we have an extra £500 to award to one winning village in the Building Community Life section of the competition. There are also prizes available at district level, and for an overall county-wide winner. “However, the monetary awards are by no means the only reason villages should take part. The competition gets residents working together and encourages them to look at how everyone within the community is being provided for. It’s an opportunity for them to celebrate all the positive aspects of life in their village and to consider any issues or opportunities that become apparent following their involvement.”

The Suffolk Village of the Year competition, now in its sixteenth year, is run by the Suffolk Association of Local Councils, in partnership with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Suffolk County Council and the county’s six district councils. It is sponsored by Calor, the UK’s leading supplier of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) with additional support from BBC Radio Suffolk.

The overall winner of the county competition will also have the chance of following the footsteps of Wortham in 2004 and gaining recognition at national level in the prestigious English Calor Village of the Year^® competition, which this year has a prize fund of over £36,000 and a top prize of £6,000. Rona Burt added: “The county competition is the first step on what could be a highly lucrative and successful journey for one lucky village. I know Suffolk’s communities have got what it takes to do well in the competition at any level – but we won’t see how well unless they take the plunge and put together an entry for the county competition!”

Villages with a population up to 500 are invited to enter the Suffolk Village of the Year competition this year. Prizes are available for communities for their community spirit, care of the natural environment and also general care of the village. Extra marks are also available at the judges’ discretion for projects or initiatives that are particularly impressive. Further information regarding the competition is available from Rona Burt who can be contacted by email at ronabulldog@aol.com, or by telephoning 01638 712309. The deadline for entries is 30th April 2005 and district judging will take place during June. The overall winner and Suffolk Village of the Year will be announced at the beginning of August, and a formal presentation event will take place later in the year.

Further press information from: Emma Flinn, Flent PR Ltd tel: 0161 817 4200 email: e.flinn@amaze.com