Great villages win honours (From Gazette Series)

Great villages win honours

WINNERS of the Avonside Village of the Year competition have been honoured at a presentation ceremony held at Camerton Village Hall in Somerset.

They were presented with framed certificates provided by sponsors, Calor.

The annual competition is organised by the Avonside branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England,

Marshfield was awarded the Willis Cup for Large Village and was district winner in South Gloucestershire in the same category.

Pucklechurch was awarded the Cup Winners Shield and Old Down won district award for best small village in South Gloucestershire. Hawkesbury was named as most improved village of the year.

The 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.

Cllr Roger Youdan, vice-chairman of Marshfield Parish Council, said: "It's not just looking at pretty flowers. It's looking at what the village has to offer - shops, amenities, pubs, organisations - which is what makes a village great."

Avonside overall winner Backwell will find out if it has been successful in the national competition at the Calor Village of the Year awards lunch in London on Tuesday.