Belton with Browston - Young People Award Winner

Belton with Browston is a safe village where everyone is cared for, the environment is nurtured, local business is valued and all members of the community are encouraged to get involved in village life.

With an original population of nearer 800, the village’s population has recently increased as the result of a local planning decision. Rather than letting this fact overwhelm the community life in the village, Belton has worked hard to incorporate new residents into the community and retain its village ethos. At the heart of community life in Belton are the retired couple who live in the oldest cottage in the village and help to tend the community gardens; the youth group members who help to organise the summer fete; the WI members who go bowling with the local Scouts; and the residents of all ages who flock to the village entertainment nights held in the Institute Hall.

Belton’s monthly magazine, Village Voice, is integral to its community life. It goes out to all homes in the village and neighbouring parishes and is funded entirely by advertising from local businesses. This publication is important to the community because it passes on news; however, it also serves to motivate villagers and the wider community – helping to identify where there are gaps in the provision of services or which residents require additional support.

In particular, Belton with Browston is very successful at caring for its younger residents. The village is very proud of its young citizens and strives to involve them and consult them as much as possible. The Parish Council holds an annual Youth Forum which is open to all of the village’s young people and attended by the local MP and councilors. Another more recent initiative – Direct Contact, involves putting up notices in areas where young residents tend to gather giving details of date/time when a Parish Council member will be there to consult the young people on current projects.

The village of Belton with Browston is situated on the Norfolk / Suffolk border close to Great Yarmouth and has a population of about 3,600.

Visit the Belton web site at http://mybeltonandbrowston.com