Orwell - Environment Award Winner

The village of Orwell is a vibrant community that is well known locally for the wide range of activities on offer to both villagers and visitors, and for the enthusiasm of its residents.

With something on offer every night of the week to keep the residents of Orwell entertained, it’s no wonder the village has a good reputation locally for its social achievements! People can join in everything from a local history group to line dancing and new clubs started in the last two years include indoor bowls and a film club – both of which were started by individuals who identified a need and were willing to do something about it.

In addition to the array of activities on offer for all in Orwell, the community also benefits from self-help schemes – including a social car scheme, fellowship and pastoral care from the local churches, the support offered by sheltered housing schemes and a general strong sense of neighbourliness. Orwell’s ‘Welcome home from hospital’ scheme is a recent addition to this support. Volunteers are informed of any imminent discharge of residents from hospital so that they can make a timely visit to check that all is well and offer assistance with shopping, collecting prescriptions etc.

Orwell is also very successful in terms of its many on-going environmental projects and special one-off events that concentrate on environmental issues. These range from litter-picking and bulb planting, to a ‘village green space’ project. This particular project involves the conservation of an area of land that was de-allocated as housing development land back in 2000 following local pressure and leased to the parish council for a period of 25 years. Following local fund raising efforts and a successful Lottery application, work has begun on the land, including the building of paths and reinstating the stream from which Orwell drives its name.

Orwell is situated to the south west of Cambridge and has a population of about 1,200.

Visit the Orwell web site at www.orwellvillage.co.uk