Best Kept Village

The object of the competition is to encourage villages possessing a real sense of community to improve their local environment by caring for buildings, clearing litter and promoting schemes to improve the general appearance of the area. Judges do not look for architectural merit, prettiness or an abundance of flowers but for: Villages which do the best with what they have got

We do not expect neatness for its own sake - for example, nettles can be left where they are not a hazard and churchyards need not be neatly mown. Hedges should not be cut until nesting birds have flown. The competition is open to villages with a population of 3000 or under and will be judged in 4 groups. (Please note increased size of population)

(a) Villages that have won in the past 5 years
(b) Villages of a population between 500 and 3000
(c) Villages of a population up to 500
(d) Villages that are new to the competition or have not entered for 10 years

Villages in groups (b) (c) and (d) which win their group will automatically be moved to group (a) in the following year. Villages in group (a) which do not win for 5 years will then go back to group (b) or (c).

Judging Schedule

1. Absence of litter and unsightly refuse dumps on verges (10 points)
2. Condition of village greens, playing fields, school yards, public seats and noticeboards (10 points)
3. Condition of public and private buildings, gardens and allotments, (10 points)
4. Condition of churchyards, cemeteries and war memorials (10 points)
5. Condition of public halls, sports facilities and car parks (10 points)
6. Cleanliness of public toilets, bus shelters and telephone kiosks (10 points)
7. State of footpaths, stiles, field gates, signposting, ponds and streams (10 points)
8. Condition of commercial and business premises, including advertisements and other signs (10 points)
9. Initiative in the care of the environment of the village (10 points)
10. Evidence of community spirit and usefulness of Village Map (10 points)

As seen on TV's Inside Out programme

Awards
The winner in group(a) will receive The CPRE Pertwee Bowl for Past Winners. The winners in groups (b) (c) and (d) will each receive a CPRE shield. These will be held for one year. Certificates will be awarded to winners and runners-up in each group. Group winners will also receive a ‘Best Kept Village’ road sign and Mole Valley Farmers vouchers to the value of £100.

Judging will take place during May, June and July, with final judging in July and August

Download two helpful links documents here:

Judging Checklist

Top Tips for Effective Judging

Download Best Kept Village Competition Form Here

For 2011 results click here