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Search Continues for Wales Top Village

The search to find Wales top village began on 1st March with the launch of the new Calor Village of the Year^® for Wales competition. Whilst the response from villages has been positive so far, competition organisers have decided to extend the deadline for entries from 30th April to Tuesday 31st May to give even more villages the chance to benefit from taking part in the competition.

Not only will villages that enter the competition have the chance of sharing in a £8,500 prize fund, but they will also take part in what can be described as a community fitness test. The launch of this new nationally run, bi-lingual competition has, for the first time ever, enabled villages throughout Wales to enter - helping communities realise what they have already achieved; giving them a vision for the future; and providing communities with an opportunity to celebrate as well as gain recognition and reward for their achievements.

The competition consists of a total of six categories which cover Community Life, Business, Young People, Older People, the Environment and Information Communication Technology. However, villages do not need to enter all of the categories to be in with a strong chance of winning a prize. A community may choose to enter as many or as few of the competitions six categories as it wishes. So if a village has got lots going on for its young people, or if business in the village is thriving, or if the environment is particularly important to a community, the message is to give the competition a go. Villages that enter just two or three categories are in with as good a chance of winning a prize as those that choose to enter all six.

Suzanne Weir, Calors communications manager, commented: "There are hundreds of villages throughout Wales that havent had the opportunity of entering the Calor Village of the Year^® competition in the past because a county event hasnt been held in their area. However, with the launch of Wales own competition every village in the country can now be involved and benefit from working together for a common goal. The main aim is that as many villages as possible participate and I would urge communities out there to act now so that they dont miss out on the opportunity to submit an entry. I cant stress enough what a beneficial and positive activity entering Calor Village of the Year^® has been for hundreds of villages throughout England and Wales in the past."

The Welsh Calor Village of the Year^® competition is open to all rural communities throughout Wales with a population of 5,000 or under. The judges are looking for: "Well balanced, pro-active, caring village communities which, irrespective of size, have made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all inhabitants." Villages interested in entering should contact Brian Challis on 01962 629768, email info@calorvillageoftheyear.org, or refer to www.villageoftheyear.org as soon as possible to register their interest. Villages wishing to correspond in Welsh must also provide an English translation.