Regional Winners

St Neot - Regional Winner 2002

Situated on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor, in Cornwall, St Neot is a small but vibrant community that offers its 350 inhabitants a wide range of activities.

Due to its location, St. Neot is relatively isolated: it is, however, this factor that has resulted in the village thriving on an ethos of self-sufficiency. The village hall and social club is the hub of village activity and is home to groups including the youth club, the W.I., Age Concern and a pantomime group, to name but a few. In addition, many of the village clubs and associations are active fund raisers. For example, St. Neot Bingo raises funds for Cornwall Air Ambulance.

For younger members of the community, the St. Neot Youth Club offers a safe environment for the children to get together and socialise, as well as enjoying a range of carefully organised activities. Similarly, organisations such as Age Concern and the Welcome Club cater for the needs of St. Neot’s older community.

As well as caring for its inhabitants, St. Neot also takes great care to ensure the well-being of the environment. The Parish Council operates an annual cycle of footpath maintenance and repair in partnership with Cornwall County Council. As well as this, an annual spring-clean sees villagers of all ages join forces to get the village in tip-top condition. The Parish Council also owns Goonzion Downs in trust for "the air and recreation of the people of the parish".

St. Neot is the 2002 Calor Village of the Year for South West & Western England, also winning the Community Life, Young People and Older People categories for the region.

Judges’ Comments

"St. Neot is a warm, energetic, happy and caring community that, although small in size, has a very big heart."