Results of the RCC Village Achievement Awards 2011

Community groups from across Leicestershire & Rutland gathered to find out if they had won an award in the Rural Community Council (Leicestershire & Rutland) Village Achievement Awards.

Over 100 people gathered at The Rothley Centre on September 22nd to witness communities from Whissendine (Rutland), Kibworth Beauchamp (Harborough), and Appleby Magna (North West Leicestershire) receive the winners award in the three categories of the competition for their locally run projects. Each of the 3 received a winners gold certificate and a cheque for £100.00.

Whissendine took the honour in the Community category for their entry based around their Good Neighbour Scheme.
This scheme has been developed within the last eighteen months as a spin off from the Parish Plan. It involves the whole community to identify needs and provides valuable support to residents. Twenty-nine volunteers have formed a befriending organisation. All have been trained, CRB checked and they carry identification. Financial help and advice from the Rutland County Council, the Parish Council, the RCC and grassroots “Feast Week” supported this
A website has been created and together with publicity in the local “Grapevine” magazine has enabled a co-ordinated transport scheme to social events in the village to be set up. The judges were impressed by the enthusiasm shown and their role in maintaining and improving the involvement in village life to all residents.

Kibworth Beauchamp beat off tough competition to win the Col John Heggs Village and Community Hall category with the range of facilities provided at their Old Grammar School premises.
The judges received an enthusiastic welcome from several of the Trustees and users of the Old Grammar School, eager to answer questions. The premises offer a good variety of cared for and welcoming accommodation with seventeen community groups regularly meeting for the excellent and varied menu of activities for all age groups provided. The main hall is used for events from Charity Auctions, Fashion Shows, Children’s Parties and two theatre groups who put on five major shows a year seating up to 170 per performance. The community programme of events is advertised in their report in the monthly Kibworth Chronicle. The village Hall, High School and Cricket Club all work together to provide suitable venues for the community when either on is unavailable for particular requests. There is also a room provided for exclusive use by the local police beat team with 24-hour access. Use of the Community Payback Scheme to decorate parts of the premises

Appleby Magna scored highly to capture the Cleaner and Greener Category with their Thermal Imaging Project.
The project involved all but one household in the village and after an awareness event, their properties were scanned with special equipment provided and supported by the RCC “Communities Cutting Carbon” project. The images clearly identified the scale of heat loss to each property. Advise on options were provided to reduce the heat loss and action has been taken by many residents. They have made energy saving a community issue and will hold a follow-up event (Open Eco-Houses) later this year.

Diana Cook project manager for the competition said
‘ This competition continues to impress with its range of entries. It really shows that ‘The Big Society’ is really working in Leicestershire and Rutland helped by community led planning which has played a part in these initiatives that have been run by volunteers. From the RCC’s point of view, the hard work and ideas of our dedicated volunteer Competitions Committee and volunteer judges has made this happen. We shall look forward to even more entries next year’

2011 Village Achievement Awards Listed in full:-

COMMUNITY CATEGORY AWARDS
Whissendine - GOLD AND OVERALL CATEGORY WINNER

Appleby Magna - GOLD
Barrow Upon Soar - SILVER
Harby - BRONZE
Sileby - BRONZE

VILLAGE/COMMUNITY HALLS CATEGORY
Kibworth Beauchamp - GOLD AND OVERALL CATEGORY WINNER
Markfield - GOLD
Appleby Magna - SILVER
Sheepy Magna - SILVER
Stapleton - BRONZE
Broughton Astley - BRONZE
COMMENDED
Blaby
Kirby Muxloe
Thurmaston
Uppingham

CLEANER and GREENER CATEGORY
Appleby Magna - GOLD AND OVERALL CATEGORY WINNER
Billesdon - GOLD
Lutterworth- GOLD
Market Overton - GOLD
Ibstock - SILVER
Quorn - Silver
COMMENDED
Kirby Muxloe
Uppingham

The Judges have all commented on the high standard of this years entries and when the Competitions Committee met to discuss the Judges comments it was difficult for them to decide on those who would gain a bronze, silver or gold certificate and to identify the overall winners in each category.The villages that missed out on an award this year were commended for their efforts but just failed to reach the very high standard set by the award winners.