Loxhore - Building Community Life Award Winner

Loxhore is a self sufficient village where everyone is involved in community life. Village questionnaires are used every few years or so to ascertain residents’ requirements and decisions are made accordingly. If there is an issue in need of discussion, open village meetings are held so that everyone has an opportunity to air their views. A recent project – the extension to the village hall kitchen, was initially discussed through one such meeting. On gaining support from everyone in the village, Loxhore joined together to raise money for the project and £59,000 was raised in just two years, more than £25,000 of which was raised solely through village activities.

Loxhore’s young people are actively encouraged to get involved in all village events. There is an active youth club which is held fortnightly and the village hall committee has a youth member. Elderly residents are also never forgotten. Older villagers are represented on the village hall committee in order to ensure their requirements are met in terms of events and activities.

A newsletter containing news and information about the community is delivered to every household to keep residents up to date with the latest goings on. New residents are welcomed to the community by a councilor or village hall committee member and a welcome pack is currently being developed.

The isolated nature of Loxhore’s location has encouraged the community to work together and play together. There is trust and mutual respect and support for everyone in the village and in times of need residents can be sure of a helping hand.

The village of Loxhore is in rural north Devon, situated six miles northeast of Barnstaple, and has a population of just 180.

Visit the Loxhore web site at www.loxhore.org.uk