Regional Winners

Burgh by Sands - Regional Winner 2003

Burgh by Sands, situated just west of Carlisle in Cumbria, was badly affected by foot and mouth in 2001. However, it has responded to the disastrous effects of the disease with a series of positive activities that are helping the village to recover from its past misfortune.

The village is adept at taking new ideas and carefully grafting them onto the existing make-up of the community. Communication is key to supporting the Burgh by Sands’ strong community life. There is a parish magazine which is delivered free of charge to every household and the parish website also carries items of general interest together with minutes from the Parish Council meetings.

To further develop the sharing of information throughout the village, a newly developed information pack, produced by a group of volunteers and funded by the Countryside Agency and Neighbourhood Forum, carries details of events and services available in the parish. This is currently being delivered to all households and will also be used to welcome newcomers. With a wide range of ages and incomes represented in the community, Burgh by Sands endeavours to provide support for all. For example, through a parish plan, the parish council are working towards greater provision for the young, particularly teenagers.

The environment is a key part of the village’s attraction (the parish is situated within a designated ’Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and a ’World Heritage Site’) and as such is an important issue for the community of Burgh by Sands.

Through extensive community consultation it has been highlighted that caring for the village’s environment is thoroughly supported by the villagers and it forms a central part of the work described in the parish plan with the maintenance and development of footpaths, the improvement of an open space and pond and the purchase and subsequent development of a field in the centre of the village.

Burgh by Sands is a continually developing and growing village with a well-balanced and integrated approach to tackling the issues concerning the community.