Grampound with Creed

Grampound wins Calor Village of the Year West of England Title

GRAMPOUND with Creed has the X-Factor, and been revealed as one of the country's top villages, winning the title for the West of England in the prestigious Calor Village of the Year competition.

Having been nominated to take part following its success in last year's county event – when it won the Calor Cornwall Village of the Year competition, Grampound with Creed's success at national level follows the submission of a written entry form and a judging visit back in April when the competition's first round judging team spent two hours in the village learning more about the community.

The Calor Village of the Year for England competition rewards and encourages vibrant, self-sustaining village communities which, irrespective of size, have made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all residents.

The competition, which is organised and funded by Calor, judges villages on four categories covering People, Business, the Environment and Communications. Only villages such as Grampound with Creed which excel in all of these areas, as well showing a special “X factor” quality, are crowned winners.

The judges visited Grampound for two hours and were met by the town crier John Sweetman, parish council chairman Peter Hardaker and councillor Margaret Lundie, as well as dozens of residents.

“Residents turned out to welcome the judges, even children came out of the school, and we have had wonderful support from many organisations,” said Mr Hardaker. “There is a feeling of belonging here, support for people of all ages. For a village with a population of 500 there is an amazing amount of activity, from football for the youngsters to a Tuesday Club for the over-60s,” said Margaret Lundie.

As the Calor Village of the Year for the West, Grampound with Creed now goes through to a nerve wracking national final when the overall winner for England will be decided.

A total of five finalists are in line for the national title and each village now faces a visit from the final round judging team after which the top prize will be awarded. Grampound with Creed is up against Sadberge, Tees Valley representing North England; Seagrave, Lincolnshire representing Central England; Levington, Suffolk representing the East, and Smarden, Kent representing the South.

The winner for England will be revealed at a glamorous awards luncheon taking place on Tuesday, December 2 in London. Until then, villagers will be waiting in nervous anticipation, speculating about whether they've bagged the national title.