VILLAGE OF THE YEAR 2005

COMPETITION

The judges visited the village on 9 June 2005. They were met by Mary Bourne, Chairman of the Parish Council, and were then split up and taken round the village visiting and viewing the wildlife meadow, the Country Store, the Townshend Arms, the Church, the School, Beacon Court. the Playing Field, Haileybury and the sports complex, Balls Wood, the Jolly Pindar, the Silver Fox, Londis, the Post Office and the garages. They spoke to a number of shopkeepers, people at Haileybury, the Headteacher at the JMI and the Warden at Beacon Court.

On their return to the Village Hall, they spoke to a number of local residents and enjoyed an excellent tea provided by the WI.

A number of Councillors and others attended the prize giving on 29 June. Whilst they were slightly disappointed in the result , we did win a commendation in the Business Category and were the only first time entrant to win anything.

The certificate will be displayed in the Village Hall.

The full results were:

Entries received from: Barkway, Braughing. Brickendon Liberty, Buckland and Chipping, Flamstead, Furneux Pelham, Hertford Heath, Ickleford, Little Berkhamsted, Pirton, Potten End, Preston, Redbourn, Widford, Wilstone, Woolmer Green

WINNERS

Environment Category: Ickleford

The Environment Category Winner receives a Nazeing Glass Rosebowl for one year, Calor Gas Certificate, CPRE - The Hertfordshire Society Plaque and a cheque for £100

Business Category: Woolmer Green

Young People Category: Flamstead

Older People Category: Braughing

Information Technology: Redbourn

Each of the above Category Winners receives a Calor Gas Certificate, CPRE - The Hertfordshire Society Plaque and cheque for £100. The Information Technology winner is also nominated to the IT category of the Calor Village of the Year England competition.

Commendations (CPRE – The Hertfordshire Society Certificate):

Environment: Pirton

Business: Hertford Heath

Young People: Pirton

Older People: Widford

Small Village of the Year: Preston

The Small Village of the Year receives a Hertfordshire Mercury Rosebowl for one year, CPRE – The Hertfordshire Society Plaque, Calor Gas certificate and £100 cheque to be spent on a scheme to enhance the environment.

Building Community Life Winner: Barkway

Most Improved Community Life: Furneux Pelham

Best Community Project: Redbourn

The Building Community Life Category is supported by Defra. The winner receives a £200 cheque, CPRE Plaque and Calor/Defra certificate. The Most Improved Community Life and Best Community Project each receive a £100 cheque, CPRE Plaque and Calor/Defra certificate.

Village of the Year East: Brickendon Liberty

Village of the Year West: Potten End

Each Regional Winner receives a Calor Gas Certificate, CPRE – The Hertfordshire Society Plaque and £200 cheque to be spent on scheme to enhance the environment. Regional Winners also hold a CPRE - The Hertfordshire Society Village of the Year Trophy for one year.

Nominee to the Calor England Village of the Year Competition Potten End

Peterkin Award: A glass Rosebowl donated by one of the Judges, Miss Margaret Peterkin, presented to an individual or group making an outstanding contribution to community life. This year the Rosebowl goes to Colin Reedman of Wilstone. Thanks to Defra support, a £50 cheque is also awarded.

Dorothy Abel Smith Young People's Award: An award donated by one of the Judges, Miss Dorothy Abel Smith to a young person or person(s) making an outstanding contribution to community life. Awarded for the first time this year, the winner is Jodie Bryant, aged 18, of Flamstead. Thanks to Defra support, this year a cheque for £50 is also awarded.

A summary of the Judges’ Report can be seen by clicking here.

A reporter from the Hertford Times was also at the Village Hall on 9 June. The following report appeared the next week.

Click here if you would like to see a copy of the village’s entry.