Four villages wow judges at Calor (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Four villages wow judges at Calor

VILLAGES across the South Cotswolds did the district proud at this year's Calor Village of the Year Competition for Gloucestershire.

Four picturesque villages near Cirencester wowed the judges and won five of the eight categories up for grabs.

And, at a ceremony held last Wednesday, residents and local councillors jumped for joy when the results were announced.

The annual awards event is organised by Gloucestershire Rural Community Council.

GRCC director Stephen Wright said: "Once again villages in the Cotswolds have really risen to the challenge and the competition has been fantastic.

"I do not envy the judges the task of selecting the winners and I would like to congratulate all of the winners this year."

Kemble narrowly missed out on the overall prize - won by Painswick, near Stroud - but did win for 'Young People' and was runner-up for 'Information Technology', which was won by the market town of Fairford for the third year on the trot.

Fairford also came runner-up in 'Business' and 'Safer Villages' - won by South Cerney - while Down Ampney won for 'Community Life'.

Down Ampney has a village shop which was set up by residents eight years ago and is staffed entirely by volunteers. It is seen as the 'hub of the community'.

South Cerney also won for 'The Environment', and the local council was delighted with the result, especially considering their recent trouble with vandals.

Hooligans trashed the village war memorial earlier in the year, a wanton act of vandalism which shocked the community.

Cllr Michael Stuart said: "We are all extremely pleased with winning the two awards we did. To get something where people can see the community is working together is a great thing - it's a marvellous competition to work on.

"We are particularly delighted with winning 'Safer Villages' as we have pursued our vandals through the courts and are now getting money out of them."

Stephen Wright told Fairford representatives that again no other village in the competition could match their IT provision.

Town mayor Chris Roberts told the Standard: "We received plaques for each of the wins and a cheque for £500 for winning the IT category.

"We have yet to decide how this will be spent, but it will be on something that helps the community. Residents should be very proud of the achievement.

"I think it proves that Fairford is a safe, vibrant and lovely place to live."

Kemble is another vibrant village and won 'Young People' in part because of the success of its pre-school Kemble at Play and its fundraising activities.

Parish councillor David Ball said: "We are very pleased. We have not entered for a year or two and we are proud to have a good result.

"Cllr Mark Bainbridge put a substantial amount of work into the competition."