2012 is set to be a record year for Community Lincs, with a record number of entries expected for the charity’s annual Best Kept Villages and Small Towns competition. The largest competition of its kind in the country. The awards aim to celebrate the small rural areas which nestle in Lincolnshire.

The competition is about people of all ages working together as a whole community. It encourages local councils to promote schemes to improve the general appearance of their area. The awards are predominately judged on community spirit, and how each area collectively demonstrates environmental awareness. It hopes to find everyone playing their part in making their area a better place.

Crucially, the results are not just about the aesthetics of a village or town, but rather about making the best of what resident have in their community. Preserving buildings, and the wildlife around the area, but also bringing the community together to work as one, are key to winning an award.

Teresa Palmer who runs the competition, explained to Lincolnshire Pride that they are trying to encourage more and more villages and small towns to enter for the 50th competition.

“It’s a brilliant way of getting everyone together, and the sense of pride that comes from winning one of these awards is amazing. Winning an award reflects incredibly well on a community.” she said. “No one should be discouraged, because it’s not about being pretty at all. It’s all about caring for where you live and for your local community.”

Recognising best kept villages and towns is especially important in Lincolnshire, as rural areas often thrive when a greater sense of community exists than in larger towns and cities.

“The competition is all about the amount of effort people put in.” said Teresa. “There are five categories, in which villages and towns are split in to before they are judged. They are all split into different classes depending on the population of their area to make it fair for all.”

The first three categories are split into three classes, Class One includes villages with a population of 100-500, Class Two includes villages with a population of 501-2000 and Class Three includes villages with a population of 2001-7000. The fourth category looks at small market towns with a population of around 7000. The final category has around eight contenders which judges the Past Winners of the last four years from Classes One and Two.

Last year there were almost 130 entries into the competition. On entering the competition, each village and town is added to the relevant category, and judged thoroughly over a specific time period. The panel of judges are well trained, and last year they gave 900 voluntary hours to the cause. There are three rounds of judging, which looks at how each area is progressing throughout the year.

This year Community Lincs is expecting a record number of entries, as the competition flourishes and with the addition of two new awards. For the 50th anniversary of the competition, there will be recognition for Best Newcomer in 2012,
and for the Most Successful Community of the last fifty years.

The winner of the Most Successful Community of the last fifty years will be presented with a 50th anniversary plaque, special prize and certificate. Prizes will be presented by Richard Pennell of Pennells Garden Centres, who have been involved with the competition for almost fifty years. The Lincolnshire Best Kept Villages and Small Towns Competition launches in March 2012, with papers from Community Lincs sent to all Parish Council Clerks in Lincolnshire to ask if they wish to be entered in to the competition.

“Anyone can enter simply notify your local Parish Council, or your local community organisation who will be able to enter your area into the relevant category.” says Teresa. “We want everyone to get involved. Lincolnshire has a huge number of rural areas, so each village and small market town should enter; one such new contender for 2012 is Langtoft.”

Competition is tough, but it is worth it, and the recognition gained by winning is phenomenal. It shows how important it is to have a strong community, and that everyone should be proud of their locations however small it is. Butterwick won Class Two in 2011, which was a fantastic achievement, as they had never been placed in the top three before. They worked hard, and achieved success. Community Lincs are hoping that Butterwick’s win will encourage and inspire other villages and small towns to enter the competition, proving that winning their category is possible even in a village’s first year.

Community Lincs in partnership with CPRE which continues to receive sponsorship for the Lincolnshire Best Kept Villages and Small Towns Competition from District Councils and the Lincolnshire County Council.

The closing date for all entries is 18th May 2012, and winners will be announced in September, but Lincolnshire Pride will
follow the competition’s progress throughout 2012.

For details of how to enter your area visit Community Lincs’s website, or call the competition’s organiser Teresa Palmer on 01529 301950.