Overall Winner 2009 - Kirkby Stephen

Cumbrian community crowned the nation’s Calor Village of the Year 2009

Proud residents of a small community situated to the north east of Kendal in Cumbria are celebrating after it was revealed that they live in the 2009 Calor Village of the Year for England.

Kirkby Stephen has fought its way through county and regional rounds of the competition to gain the prestigious title. As the nation’s top village, residents will benefit from a fantastic £10,000 boost to invest back into community projects, in addition to the kudos that can only come from being declared as England’s best village.

The competition judges communities across four key areas covering: Community – a better place to live, Business – a better place to work, Sustainability – a better future, and Communications – being in contact. However, in order to gain the national title, a village must reveal a special ‘X-factor’. In addition to winning the overall award for England and the regional North England title, Kirkby Stephen is the winner of two regional category awards for Community and Business.

Judges commented on Kirkby Stephen: “This community displays a breadth of vision seldom found elsewhere – with an inward focus that ensures all residents are cared for, supported and empowered whilst playing a key role in the wider community.

“With a great range of activities on offer for residents of all ages, efforts being made to cement good relations between the different age groups within the community, and an active and imaginative businesses community, Kirkby Stephen really is a vibrant, caring and successful community – and a thoroughly deserving winner of this fantastic accolade.”

In order to gain the title for England, Kirkby Stephen beat off competition from four other village contenders: Silchester, Hampshire (the South England winner); Denton, Norfolk (the East England winner); Kingston, Devon (the West England winner); and Hathersage, Derbyshire (the Central England winner).

Calor Village of the Year manager, Holly Sims added: “Very well done to Kirkby Stephen – a worthy winner of the national title this year. Once again this competition has brought to our attention some outstanding examples of rural village communities that are carrying out some fantastic projects and making great achievements, often in the face of adversity, on a day to day basis. Every year we never fail to be impressed by the standard of the villages that take part, so our warm congratulations go to Kirkby Stephen as the winner for England.”

In addition to prize money totalling £10,000, Kirkby Stephen will be hosting a community party. The Calor supported celebration is due to take place in September when residents will have the opportunity to come together and celebrate their success in style.

Kirkby Stephen was nominated to take part in the national competition following its success last year in the Calor Cumbria Village of the Year competition, organised by ACT (Action with Communities in Cumbria).

To find out more about Calor Village of the Year, including full details of the winning villages in England this year, please visit the competition website at www.calorvillageoftheyear.org

END

Further press information available from:  Amaze PR, Emma Flinn on 0161 817 4221/ Rebecca Jones on 0161 817 4200, email r.jones@amaze.com

Notes to Editors

Calor Village of the Year®

Calor is the UK’s leading supplier of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), the versatile off-mains fuel for rural communities and businesses. For the past 22 years Calor has supported rural activities in England, Scotland and Wales through its Rural Sponsorship programme, spearheaded by the Calor Village of the Year competition.

About the competition:
For 2009, Calor is sponsoring 39 county village competitions across England. 

In the Calor Village of the Year® for England national competition the judges will be looking for sustainable communities that are responding to the current environmental and socio-economic challenges and which, irrespective of size, are making best use of local opportunities to enhance the quality of life for all residents. 

Villages are judged across four categories:  Community – a better place to live, Business – a better place to work, Sustainability – a better future, Communications – being in contact. 

Prize details:
The prize money for the 2009 national Calor Village of the Year® competitions totals over £55,000. First prize in the English competition is £7,000 with £2,000 going to each of five regional winners. In addition, there are four category prizes of £500 within each region.

Please note that Calor Village of the Year® is a registered trademark and should be referred to in full in all circumstances.

For further information:
For general information on the Calor Village of the Year® for England competition:
email: info@calorvillageoftheyear.org

For media enquiries relating the Calor Village of the Year® competition, please contact Emma Flinn:
email: e.flinn@amaze.com  or tel: 0161 817 4221

For general enquiries relating to the Calor Village of the Year® competition, please contact Brian Challis:
email: b.challis@ntlworld.com, tel: 01962 629768 or visit www.calorvillageoftheyear.org

For further information on Calor and its sustainability commitment please visit:  www.calor.co.uk