 Belleek Wins Calor Village of the Year Award
Belleek has been named as Northern Ireland Calor Village of the Year® 2008 at a prestigious awards ceremony at the Killyhevlin Hotel, hosted by TV personality John Craven.
The County Fermanagh village beat stiff competition from 16 other villages across Northern Ireland to win the coveted title and a cash prize of £5,000.
Belleek was nominated by Belleek and District Community Partnership, an umbrella group for 30 smaller community groups and clubs in the Belleek area.
Speaking about the competition, Steve Cooke, CEO, Calor said: “Rural life continues to be of great significance to Calor Gas, and we are delighted that this year for the first time the Northern Ireland winner of the Calor Village of the Year® competition will go to London to represent Northern Ireland and compete against the 2008 winners from England, Scotland and Wales for the title of UK Calor village of the Year.
“We were overwhelmed at the number of new communities which applied and the quality of entries received, proving once more that Northern Ireland is home to many vibrant villages. I would like to congratulate everyone who took part.”
The Calor Village of the Year® for Northern Ireland competition assessed communities on five aspects of rural life - building community life, business, young people, environment, and older people. Each category was awarded at the event.
Picking up the category accolades and £1,000 cash prizes were: Benedy (Building Community Life), Toome (Business Award), Keady (Young People Award), Donemana (Older People Award) and Ahoghill (Environment Award).
Commenting on the competition, judging Martin McDonald, Chief Executive, RDC said: “As judges we were overwhelmed with the very warm and heartfelt welcome we received on our visits and I would like to offer my congratulations to the caring, innovative and buzzing village of Belleek on this Award.
“From the outset of this competition, Belleek has shown an enthusiasm and spirit that has been unsurpassed. The judging visit was a whirlwind of information, resources, stories and guided tours of the many facilities and activities available in the village. We were welcomed into crèche facilities, mother and toddler groups, young at heart clubs, music clubs, organic gardening groups, even yoga for babies.
“Known world-wide for its pottery, Belleek displayed outstanding effort, consistency and achievement in all categories. Innovative use of local buildings impressed the judges, from church halls, to local schools, from the hotel to the fire station. Innovative projects have engaged people from all ages and backgrounds enabling them to be and feel included, no matter what their age; projects which are recognized far beyond this small village.
“This village has so much more to offer, caring for elderly, youth, young mothers, even stray cats,” added Martin.
>> Download this as a word document
Media contact
ASG Public Relations
Kate Thompson or Anne Dawson
Tel: 028 9080 2000
Email: kthompson@asgireland.com or adawson@asgireland.com
2007 Winner - Broughshane
Find out about the 2007 winner here.
Lasting impressions 2008
During the judging phase of Calor Village of the Year Northern Ireland 2008, the judging panels visited 16 villages.
At each village, judges were met with enthusiasm, motivation, humour and above-all strong, caring communities determined to make theirs a better place to live.
Overwhelmed by what they saw and heard, the judging panel recorded a lasting impression of each village - you can download these comments now.
Click the image to the left, or alternatively click here to download
|
