Search is on for Welsh Top Village
The search has now begun to find Wales top village - from 1st March onwards, villages throughout the Principality are being given the opportunity to enter the new Calor Village of the Year® for Wales competition.
In the past, Wales has been included as one of six regions in the Calor Village of the Year® competition for England and Wales; however, it has been given its own competition this year. This new nationally run, bi-lingual competition will, for the first time ever, enable communities throughout Wales to enter. This means that villages have the opportunity of sharing in the competitions £8,500 prize fund and of taking part in what can be described as a community fitness test.
The launch of the new competition took place on 1st March in the village of Llangernyw, Conwy - the Welsh Calor Village of the Year® for 2004, when a number of young residents entertained guests with a wonderful display of musical talent. The aim of the competition remains the same as it has always been - to help communities realise what they have already achieved; to give them a vision for the future; and to provide communities with an opportunity to celebrate as well as gain recognition and reward for their achievements. The format of the new competition follows in the footsteps of Scotlands awards, the Calor Scottish Community of the Year Awards, which have been running very successfully for 7 years.
Villages can participate on varying levels, entering as many or as few of the competitions six categories as they like. It is hoped that, by separating Wales into its own competition, an increasing number of villages will choose to participate and thus benefit by working together for a common goal. Categories cover: Community Life, Business, Young People, Older People, the Environment and Information Communication Technology.
Suzanne Weir, Calors communications manager, commented: "Feedback from villages over the years confirms how those entering the Calor Village of the Year® competition are amazed at the richness of community life that is revealed and the new competition for Wales should shine the spotlight on even more communities! We would like villages to enter as many of the competitions six categories as they can because, from past experience, we know that its not until communities actually get together and put together an entry that they fully realise just how much theyve got going on. However, because we know what a beneficial and fun experience taking part can be, our main aim is to encourage as many communities as possible to give the competition a go, so for villages that may feel they cant compete across the board weve provided the option of concentrating on fewer categories. Entering is an opportunity for villages to celebrate what theyve got and to say well done to residents who join together to help make community projects happen. We hope that even more villages are able to benefit as a result."
The Welsh Calor Village of the Year® competition is open to all rural communities throughout Wales with a population of 5,000 or under. The judges are looking for: "Well balanced, pro-active, caring village communities which, irrespective of size, have made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all inhabitants." Villages interested in entering should contact Brian Challis on 01962 629768, email info@calorvillageoftheyear.org, or refer to www.villageoftheyear.org as soon as possible to register their interest. Villages wishing to correspond in Welsh must also provide an English translation.
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