Previous Winners 2004

The village of Pendoylan is situated north of Cowbridge in Vale of Glamorgan and has a population of 370.

The village of Pendoylan is situated north of Cowbridge in Vale of Glamorgan and has a population of 370. Although over the years the parish has changed very little in terms of size, the population has altered and in recent times the village has taken on a new sense of purpose.

Community life in Pendoylan centres around the church and chapel, the public house, the school and the village hall. These facilities provide residents with multiple venues in which to meet and socialise, whether on an informal basis or during organised events. In recent years the village hall has undergone quite extensive renovation to improve its facilities. This includes improved access for disabled people with the installation of a wheelchair ramp, installation of a new boiler and rewiring of the electrical system. The church, chapel, school and village hall are all represented by management groups and, whilst they are independent of each other, there is some overlap of membership that enables an extremely effective network.

Residents of Pendoylan are both active and generous, an example of which is an annual event known as ’Wally’s Walk’. Organised by a villager, this is a sponsored 5-mile trek around the village which is now in its fifth year. Proceeds from this event are always donated to the local cancer hospital and to date total more than £18,000.

It is not surprising residents enjoy walking around the village: standards of cleanliness and tidiness in Pendoylan are extremely high. The village also boasts a large number of features which are essential to its heritage, ranging from listed buildings to holy wells. Consideration for the environment is particularly important to the village. A strip of land located along the bank of the River Ely in Pendoylan is home to a rare plant and a heronry is also located within the parish. The village’s children are encouraged to consider their surroundings from an early age and a natural garden area with a pond is situated within the school grounds to help them learn about the natural environment.

The village of Gresford is situated between Wrexham and Chester and has a population of just under 3,000. It offers a rich and diverse community life which is driven by its positive and enthusiastic residents.

The village of Gresford is situated between Wrexham and Chester and has a population of just under 3,000. It offers a rich and diverse community life which is driven by its positive and enthusiastic residents.

Gresford offers something for everyone, whatever the age and whatever the interest. Noticeboards situated throughout the village are a good way of finding out what’s going on, as are the local free newspapers. Residents are never too young to join in the activities on offer in the village - even the newborns can start off with a postnatal group held at the village’s health centre!

The village works hard to provide for all residents and is proactive in achieving its aims. For example, a skateboard park has been opened in the village this year, which has of course been welcomed by older children and teenagers. The plans for this facility were met with some resistance by a minority of residents initially. However, the community council was determined to provide something for the older children and worked hard to explain the rationale behind the plans and the whole community now works together to keep the area clean and tidy.

Senior citizens play a very active role in Gresford’s community. They are represented on the community council as well as many other social groups within the village, which enables younger generations to share in their knowledge and experience. A number of clubs and organisations also exist specifically for older people, for example a retirement club meets twice a month offering a variety of activities from travel talks to advice on money matters. For those with particular needs services such as home help, voluntary visitors and sheltered housing are provided in the village.

The village of Llangernyw, situated between Betws-y-coed and Abergele in Conwy with a population of 650,

The village of Llangernyw, situated between Betws-y-coed and Abergele in Conwy with a population of 650, is a traditional community which is proud of its heritage. The village is thriving with plenty to do for all ages and good interaction between all sections of the community.

The focal point of Llangernyw is its community centre, which is also the village school. It is in this building that many of the village’s groups, committees and clubs meet and every year once the long summer holidays have finished the centre becomes a hive of activity in the evenings. It’s also the venue for events involving the whole community, for example an annual horticultural and gardening show is held there in which a good cross section of the community takes part.

A large majority of the residents of Llangernyw are fluent Welsh speakers and the village provides a vibrant Welsh language culture and tradition which is fostered at home and at school as well as during a lot of social activity. However, English families are also welcomed to the village and are quickly integrated into Llangernyw’s way of life. Children are introduced to Welsh language and culture at school and facilities are also available for parents to learn the language if they so desire.

The community is committed to the cultural, physical and spiritual well being of its younger residents and provides many facilities and opportunities for them. For the very youngest there are a number of groups that offer support to both children and parents, particularly working parents in need additional childcare. Older children and young adults are involved in many of the activities that are run in the village and are also provided with their own clubs, ranging from disco dancing to singing. One youth movement in the village, catering for fourteen to thirty year olds, has been established for over thirty years and is still flourishing.

The village of Raglan is situated south east of Abergavenny in Monmouthshire and has a population of 1,100. It is a proud village that honours its past, celebrates its present, but above all is actively planning for its future

The village of Raglan is situated south east of Abergavenny in Monmouthshire and has a population of 1,100. It is a proud village that honours its past, celebrates its present, but above all is actively planning for its future.

Raglan is a busy village which has built up community activities and facilities for its residents whilst sustaining what is best from its history. Newcomers are welcomed by friendly and helpful villagers who make the effort to stop and chat - a 10 minute walk to the shop can turn into a half hour marathon! All residents, whether members of long established families or newcomers who have moved to the village to retire or bring up their children, are very supportive of the many activities available in Raglan, which range from a gardeners’ association to line dancing and tai kwondo.

A proactive community council in Raglan is the driving force behind many of the initiatives that are carried out in the village. Having successfully worked with the county council to get a community bus running in the village, the community council’s next big project is the building of a new village hall as the previous facility was sacrificed so the village could have a new school.

Raglan is traditionally a farming community; however a great number of businesses outside of this arena serve the village. Raglan is not an isolated community and it has good transport links to the nearby cities of Cardiff and Bristol; however, residents rarely need to venture outside of the village for their daily needs. In fact, many people from the surrounding communities travel into Raglan to take advantage of the services on offer. The village’s hairdresser and beauty salon is so popular that it has recently put in a bid to extend its premises, which has been supported by the community council.

The village of Ystradfellte is situated north of Glyn-Neath in Powys and has a population of approximately 200.

The village of Raglan is situated south east of Abergavenny in Monmouthshire and has a population of 1,100. It is a proud village that honours its past, celebrates its present, but above all is actively planning for its future.

Raglan is a busy village which has built up community activities and facilities for its residents whilst sustaining what is best from its history. Newcomers are welcomed by friendly and helpful villagers who make the effort to stop and chat - a 10 minute walk to the shop can turn into a half hour marathon! All residents, whether members of long established families or newcomers who have moved to the village to retire or bring up their children, are very supportive of the many activities available in Raglan, which range from a gardeners’ association to line dancing and tai kwondo.

A proactive community council in Raglan is the driving force behind many of the initiatives that are carried out in the village. Having successfully worked with the county council to get a community bus running in the village, the community council’s next big project is the building of a new village hall as the previous facility was sacrificed so the village could have a new school.

Raglan is traditionally a farming community; however a great number of businesses outside of this arena serve the village. Raglan is not an isolated community and it has good transport links to the nearby cities of Cardiff and Bristol; however, residents rarely need to venture outside of the village for their daily needs. In fact, many people from the surrounding communities travel into Raglan to take advantage of the services on offer. The village’s hairdresser and beauty salon is so popular that it has recently put in a bid to extend its premises, which has been supported by the community council.