Category Winners

Radway - Central England

Warwickshire village Radway, situated to the south east of Stratford-upon-Avon, is a very small community with a population of just 287; however what the village lacks in size and amenities it more than makes up for in terms of enthusiasm and inclusiveness.

There is an impressive range of activities that take place in the village, offering something for everyone. Many of these activities take place in the village hall, which, although in need of a lot of modernisation, is well used by residents of all ages. The village hall has its own committee who are supported by the rest of the village. Activities also take place on the villages recreation ground and in the church and there is an on-going fundraising project for the improvement of equipment on the recreation ground.

When issues in need of action arise in the village, residents are always keen to get together to form working groups. Issues tackled in this manner include attempts to obtain Broadband access in the village, and a public footpaths project. Radways Parish Plan was also formulated in this manner and it is now referred to on a regular basis in order to develop new provisions in the village.

The village retains its vibrancy and feeling of innovation because residents are encouraged to share their ideas, which are then brought to life through a process of both formal and informal consultation, for example by posting ideas on the noticeboard, placing them in the monthly village newsletter, or by just sharing them with friends. It was this pro-active nature of the village that enabled it to complete the Parish Plan.

Radway is a community where the enthusiasm of residents more than makes up for the shortage of facilities and where old and young unite in a vast array of activities and interests. It is a great example of how a community can overcome its difficulties to become a place where people are both proud and pleased to live.