Regional Winners

Coaley - Regional Winner 2003

Coaley, situated southwest of Stroud in Gloucestershire, is a well-rounded village with lots of evidence of all sections of the community working together. In the centre of Coaley there is a primary school, a church, a village hall, a recreation ground, a village pub and a community shop - all typical of what one would expect to find in any village across the country. However, it is the people of Coaley that make it stand out and that cement all of the village’s facets together.

The village has a "Welcome to Coaley" leaflet that, as the name suggests, welcomes newcomers to the area and offers them essential information. There is also a newsletter published bi-monthly which is distributed free of charge to all the households in the village by a team of volunteers. With an additional church magazine, five noticeboards and its own website, Coaley’s residents are kept fully informed of all the village’s news and events.

Working on the basis of village appraisals carried out in 1991 and 1999, Coaley has been able to identify and consequently fulfil the needs of its residents. This has varied from the formation of new clubs and societies to the implementation of a 30 m.p.h speed limit through the village. Other parish council initiatives include the provision of affordable housing for the young and those on low incomes and, currently, the formation of a parish plan for 2003.

In particular, Coaley is successful in meeting the needs of its young people. The village primary school has recently been extended and updated and offers numerous after school clubs run by volunteers. The school council, which is made up of representatives of all ages, have attended a parish council meeting and have been offered the chance to air their concerns during an open forum. The parish council has also made efforts to establish the requirements of the village’s older children and to provide facilities accordingly.

Through consultation and collaboration with its residents and neighbouring parishes, Coaley has achieved a huge amount for its community.