Parish councils have now been alerted to the 2019 Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Wiltshire and The Hills Group Best Kept Village Competition. Entry invitations will be sent to parish clerks during February.
“However, your village’s entry doesn’t have to be the total responsibility of the parish council,” says organisers. “Anyone can compile the entry on their behalf and can also coordinate the preparations for judging. Many villages operate this way. But the council needs to be aware of a plan to submit an entry, to avoid multiple entries from some villages. The work required to submit an entry (consisting of one form, a map and a short village report) need not take a long time.
“The Hills Group, Princeton Homes and Haine and Smith opticians are sponsoring prizes. There is no charge to enter. Entries must be received by CPRE Wiltshire no later than Monday 22nd April.
“So if you think that your village is already well presented, or it should be, why not consider speaking to your council and your friends and then entering? The judging considers presentation, for example tidiness, absence of litter and evidence of community spirit and involvement. It does not award marks for the beauty of buildings, otherwise the same villages might win every time! First round judging will take place from 13th May to 9th June.
“Further information is available on www.cpre-wilt shire.org.uk/ or by contacting CPRE Wiltshire by email admin@cprewiltshire.org.uk or telephone 01380 722157.”
