Cotswold villages up for 'best kept' award (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cotswold villages up for 'best kept' award

THREE villages will find out next month if they are among the best in the Cotswolds.

The three are finalists in this year's Bledisloe Cup competition, a best kept village award scheme run by the Gloucestershire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

The scheme was launched in 1937 by Lord Bledisloe, and was the first competition of its kind in the country.

In the Small Villages category, Cold Aston, in the North Cotswolds, has made it to the final round against Blaisdon in the Forest of Dean.

Sally Graham, chairman of Cold Aston parish council, said it had been a case of "all hands on deck," and special thanks are owed to Malcolm Hobbs and his team for their help.

Somerford Keynes, near Cirencester, is up for the Medium Villages category and will compete with Littledean, another Forest of Dean entrant.

Muriel Watkins, parish clerk for Somerford Keynes, said: "Everybody has gone the extra mile for this and we're very impressed with the level of support we've received."

Finally, having triumphed in the Large Village category in 2001, South Cerney is pleased to have made it to the last round again this year - to be pitted against Hardwicke in the Stroud District.

Michael Stuart, parish council chairman, said it was a "real tonic" to win the award in 2001 and since then they have made a policy to keep the village tidy all year round. Mr Stuart would like to thank Richard Wrightson, Erica Hay, Eddie Curtis and his Border Collie, Jane.

Judging commenced August 8 and involved two volunteer judges making visits to each nominated village.

This was to establish which was the 'most loved' village; taking into account the level of cleanliness, community spirit and variety of events surrounding village life.

The award is due to be presented in September, with the winners receiving an honorary plaque to commemorate their achievement.