Dorset's Best Village

DORSET’S BEST VILLAGE COMPETITION 2012 LAUNCHED FOR 26TH YEAR

MAGNA HOUSING AGREES TO BE THE MAIN SPONSOR FOR 3RD YEAR RUNNING

The search has begun for Dorset’s Best Village with the launch of the 2012 competition this week.

The competition has been organised by Dorset Community Action (DCA) for the past 25 years. Entry packs are being sent to the county’s villages inviting them to enter either through the parish council, village hall committee or other active community group. In 2011 almost 50 villages took part.

Two years ago Magna Housing Association became the major sponsor for the competition and has renewed its support again for 2012. Additional sponsorship comes from Dorset County Council, the four District Councils, The Dorset Echo, Dorset Magazine, Blackmore Vale Magazine , along with local food producers Clipper Tea, Fudges Biscuits, Honeybuns, Craig’s Dairies, Denhay Farms and Helen Furness Catering.

DCA’s Competition Organiser Rita Burden says ‘We want to encourage as many villages as possible to take part this year. On-going maintenance of the village hall, play area, churchyard and regular litter picks are very important, but it is not just about how the village looks. It is also about how active the village is. How it builds up a sense of community spirit and addresses the needs of its residents, especially the more vulnerable ones.”

Ian Bullock, chairman of Magna Housing Association, said, “We are very pleased to sponsor this competition for a third successive year. Magna is about so much more than housing. Building communities is central to what we do. Everyone who takes part in this competition will help to make their village a great place to live and that, in turn, helps build strong communities.”

Two special entry categories will also continue for a third year. ‘The People’s Project’ - the village judged to have entered the best project involving local active people and ‘Best Environment’ - the village judged to be doing the most ‘Green’ initiatives.

The deadline for entries is Monday 16th April with the commencement of judging from May to June. DCA is encouraging groups to save paper and postage by entering the competition online if possible. Entry packs can be downloaded below or by telephoning DCA on 01305-216407 to be sent a paper copy.

This year’s Best Village presentation evening is being planned for Friday 21st September at Corfe Mullen Village Hall.

Entry Forms and documentation are available below

2012 Dorset's Best Village Entry Form

2012 Judging Sheet

2012 Aims of the Competition

The DORSET VILLAGE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION 2011                            

DORSET’S BEST VILLAGE COMPETITION CELEBRATES ITS 25TH YEAR OF AWARDS

The winners of the 2011 Dorset Best Village Competition have been announced at a presentation event held on 22th September at Frampton Village Hall, near Dorchester.

The awards included the Best Kept Village category which has been organised by Dorset Community Action since 1987. Last year Magna, Dorset’s largest Housing Association, became the major sponsor for the competition and has renewed its support this year. Additional sponsorship came from Dorset County Council, the four District Councils, The Dorset Echo, Dorset Magazine, Western Gazette, along with local food producers Clipper Tea, Fudges Biscuits, Honeybuns, Craig’s Dairies, Denhay Farms and Helen Furness Catering.