Calor Village of the Year
Overview
The Village of the Year competition is open to all rural communities throughout Northern Ireland with a population of 4,500 or under. Entry is open to community based organisations / groups if they meet any of the following criteria:
- A ‘not for profit' local organisation or trust which has been set up to improve the social, economic or environmental well-being of your local community.
- A strong emphasis on the involvement of local individuals or groups active within the community.
- Partnerships, networks or forums acting within a localised community.
Applications are welcomed from single organisations operating within a community, however, if more than one group operates in your area we suggest you consider applying collectively since the competition is about recognising your Village as a whole. This could help you complete more categories and help the judges fully understand the extent of community activity in your area.
- Building Community Life: This year we have combined Community Life and Communications into one overall category - Building Community: Life, as we recognize that communications are strongly inter-linked into the development of community life in any village or rural settlement. This category looks at the process of creating and developing Community Life. This can range from the activities and facilities that are available for people in the village to the way newcomers are treated and how those who are in need are supported. Also taken into account are how information about issues that affect the community is communicated and the various media used by communities to communicate information locally and further afield.
- Environment: This category takes into account environmental and conservation activities that take place in a community, from litter collection and recycling through to wildlife and sustainability. It focuses on how villagers are encouraged to become involved in these initiatives.
- Young People: Young people are the future of village life and this category looks at what facilities, services and activities are available for them from the very youngest residents to teenagers and young adults. Another aspect of the judging for this section takes into account how young people are encouraged to get involved in decision making bodies and how their needs are addressed.
- Older people, people with limited mobility, or suffering from isolation: Young people may be the future of village life but older people have spent their lives in a village helping to maintain it. How are they catered for in their later years? What is available in terms of facilities for senior citizens? How are they encouraged to get involved and included in village life? Also, what provision is made for those with limited mobility and how does your community adapt to provide for their needs?
- Business: This category looks at the part local businesses play in the life of a village, e.g. in which ways do local businesses support community life? What are the job opportunities for local villagers? It also looks at the role of community businesses and the benefits provided to residents through their existence.
Each category winner and the Rural Award winner will each receive £1,000 with an additional £5,000 on offer to the village which wins the overall 2010 Calor Village of the Year award.
Ahoghill won the 2009 Calor Village of the Year competition and was praised for its outstanding effort, consistency and achievement in all categories of the competition. The County Antrim village demonstrated an exceptional level of community involvement, along with a real sense of pride which gave judges a genuine appreciation for what it was like to live in the village.
2010 Calor Village of the Year
The Co. Antrim village of Broughshane was named the 2010 Calor Village of the Year®, beating off stiff competition from eight other villages across Northern Ireland to win the coveted title and £5,000 cash.
The community of Kilskeery, Co. Tyrone, collected £1,000 cash and the new Calor Rural Community Award, which was open to villages and rural communities with a population of 1,000 or less.
The winners of the category accolades and £1,000 cash prizes were: Dromboughil (Older People), Portaferry (Young People), Kesh (Business), Cloughmills (Environment) and Ballintoy (Building Community Life).
Ballintoy, Co. Antrim, also received a High Commendation for its outstanding effort, consistency and achievement in all categories of the competition.
How to Apply
You can download guidelines and an application form from the Calor Gas website. If you are unsure about your group's eligibility, please telephone Calor Village of the Year competition.