From Rugby Renaissance to Possible Village Victories
As celebrations following Wales' magnificent Six Nations victory finally begin to die down, villages across the country may now be feeling subdued following the rush of national pride that sporting success inevitably brings. However, if communities are looking for an alternative outlet through which to celebrate all things Welsh, then the Calor Village of the Year competition offers the perfect opportunity.
Launched back in January, the Calor Village of the Year for Wales competition celebrates 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. With a closing date for entries of May 30 th , there is still plenty of time for villages to get their entries in. However, competition organisers are encouraging early entries to ensure that no one misses out on the chance to partake in what can best be described as a 'community fitness test'.
National pride is not the only reason to enter with cash prizes on offer to regional winners as well as overall category winners for People, Business, Environment and Communications, and an overall winner for Wales.
The competition is being run in conjunction with OneVoiceWales with, for the first time, a three region split covering North Wales, Mid and West Wales , and South Wales , replacing the previous North and South split.
In line with OneVoiceWales regions judging areas are as follows:
• North Wales: Gwynedd; Ynys Mon; Denbighshire; Conwy; Wrexham; and Flintshire
• Mid and West Wales: Powys; Ceredigon; Pembrokeshire; and Carmarthenshire
• South Wales: Swansea; Neath Port Talbot; Bridgend; Vale of Glamorgan; Cardiff; Rhondda Cynon Taf; Merthyr Tydfil; Caerphilly; Torfaen; Blaenau Gwent; Monmouthshire; and Newport
The 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 each worth £500 in prize money. Villages are also asked to explain in less than 500 words: 'What makes your village a special place?' £1,500 cash prizes are available for each regional winner in North, Mid and West, and South Wales as well as an overall winner for Wales (an additional £1,500 is awarded to the national winner).
Villages are encouraged to enter all four categories in order to be considered for the overall title of Calor Village of the Year® for Wales 2008.
Entries from villages are welcome immediately and the closing date for completed entries is May 30th 2008.
If you wish to register your interest or for more information on how your community can enter please email info@calorvillageoftheyear.org, or visit the competition website at www.calorvillageoftheyear.org.
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Further press information available from: Sara Tomkins / Emma Flinn, Connectpoint, tel: 0161 817 4200, email: sara.tomkins@connectpoint.co.uk or emma.flinn@connectpoint.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
Calor Village of the Year®
In 2007, the Wrexham village of Overton on Dee won the North Wales regional title, just missing out on the national title to South Wales winners Lawrenny in Pembrokeshire.
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:
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A ‘not for profit’ local organisation or trust set up to improve the social, economic or environmental health of the local community.
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A strong emphasis on the involvement of local individuals or groups active within the community.
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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: 01926 318634 or visit the bi-lingual competition website: www.calorvillageoftheyear.org
OneVoiceWales
OneVoiceWales is the voice of Community and Town Councils in Wales.
There are over 700 Community and Town Councils in Wales, representing this tier of government closest to the people. The communities they serve range from small rural settlements to large towns and their budgets vary accordingly. However, what they all have in common is serving their communities and acting to improve the quality of life in their locality. This is achieved through exercising a range of statutory powers and duties.
One Voice Wales provides an advice and guidance service to our member councils and champions the interests of the sector at the national level, influencing policy development and working closely with key partners to ensure local councils can serve their electorates effectively. We also provide opportunities for councils to network and share best practice, for example through the 16 Area Committees across Wales and our developing Larger Local Councils Committee. For more information please see www.onevoicewales.org.uk
Supporters of CVOY Wales include:
• OneVoiceWales
• National Trust Wales
• CPRW – Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales
• Association of Voluntary Organisation
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