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Does Your Village 'Tick' All The Right Boxes?

The Calor Village of the Year® for Wales competition has just been launched for 2007 and even more villages are being encouraged to enter this year with the introduction of a simplified ‘tick box’ entry form.

The competition is open to villages across the Principality with a population of 5,000 and under. Its aim is to celebrate the richness and diversity of Welsh villages whilst encouraging community participation, and competition organisers Calor want to encourage as many villages as possible to take part. Suzanne Weir, Calor Village of the Year® manager, explained: “Feedback over the years has highlighted that, whilst villages are keen to enter the competition, the entry process can sometimes appear to be a bit daunting. For 2007 we have taken this on board and, as well as introducing a simple ‘tick box’ entry form, we have also simplified the number of categories giving communities four to enter covering People, Business, Environment and Communications.

“Villages that enter this competition are not judged on what they have in terms of community facilities and services, but on what they do. Therefore, even the smallest community has a good chance of winning a prize if it has strong community spirit and makes efforts to make life as good as it can be for all residents. The message is – if you feel that your village is a special place to live and you want to celebrate this then give the competition a go!”

The bi-lingual Calor Village of the Year® for Wales competition is open to all villages of 5,000 or under, and they can choose to participate in up to four different categories – People, Business, Environment, and Communications. Villages are also asked to explain in less than 500 words: ‘What makes your village a special place?’ Cash prizes are available for category winners in North and South Wales, as well as an overall regional winner for North and South from which a winner for Wales will be chosen.

For a village to be considered for the overall title of Calor Village of the Year® for Wales 2007, it will need to enter all four categories.

Villages interested in entering should contact Calor on 01962 629768, email info@calorvillageoftheyear.org to request an entry form or download a copy from the competition website (www.calorvillageoftheyear.org).

Entries from villages are welcome immediately and the closing date for completed entries is April 12th 2007.

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Further press information available from: Emma Flinn, Connectpoint, tel: 0161 817 4200, email: emma.flinn@connectpoint.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

Calor Village of the Year®

Calor, the leading supplier of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) to those living and working in the countryside, has supported rural activities in England, Scotland and Wales for 21 years through its Rural Sponsorship programme, which includes the Calor Village of the Year® for Wales competition.

The Calor Village of the Year® for Wales competition is open to rural communities throughout Wales with a population of 5,000 or under. Entry is open to all Community Councils or other community groups if they are in line with the following criteria:

A ‘not for profit’ local organisation or trust set up to improve the social, economic or environmental health of the local community.
A strong emphasis on the involvement of local individuals or groups active within the community.
Partnerships, networks or forums acting within a localised community.

Please note that Calor Village of the Year® is a registered trademark and should be referred to in full in all circumstances.

The national Calor Village of the Year® judges look for well-balanced, pro-active, caring communities which, irrespective of size, have made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all residents.

The competition in Wales assesses communities on four aspects of rural village life: People, Business, Environment, and Communications. Villages are also asked to explain in less than 500 words: ‘What makes your village a special place?’ Villages can enter as many or as few of the categories as they wish.

For general information on the Calor Village of the Year® for Wales competition –
email: info@calorvillageoftheyear.org, tel: 01962 629768or visit the bi-lingual competition website: www.calorvillageoftheyear.org

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