Regional Winners

Coggeshall - Regional Winner 2003

Coggeshall, situated west of Colchester in North Essex, is an active village that caters for all sections of its community. With a population approaching 5,000, the village’s success lies in the ability of its residents to work together.

Coggeshall was amongst the first group of villages in Essex to complete a village appraisal. It was completed in 2002 along with a number of youth and business surveys and gave residents the opportunity to express their concerns and to have a say in the future of the village. Some projects arising from the appraisal have already been completed such as a basketball court and an all-weather path between the village’s doctors’ surgery and two if its sheltered housing complexes. Other projects in the pipeline include the renovation of the village’s recently acquired village hall and the formation of a junior council.

In order to give the village’s young people a sense of ownership and to make them more understanding of the views and concerns of other age groups in the village, efforts are being made to involve younger residents in the decision making process at all levels in Coggeshall. The village’s older residents are also well cared for and the Coggeshall Old People’s Welfare Committee exists to ensure that the needs and aspirations of the more elderly members of the community are looked after.

The focal point of the community is the Victorian clock tower in the centre of the village. Street parties, an annual carnival, a weekly market and late night shopping events all take place in this area. Communication in the village to inform residents of such events is excellent. There is a parish magazine and newsletter, a website, three noticeboards and the local post office and shops also display notices on forthcoming events.

The business community in Coggeshall is thriving. The local Chamber of Trade has 60 members who work closely with residents to ensure that the village benefits as much as possible from its businesses. A wide range of services is available in Coggeshall and the village is fast acquiring a reputation within its local area for good food.

Coggeshall is a community full of enthusiastic people who are driven to make the village a good place to live for all.