IS YOUR favourite village the best in Wiltshire?

Does it have the best shop or a person you would like to recognise as a village hero?

Now’s the time to act as your nominations count in the Wiltshire Village of the Year Awards, being run in partnership with Wessex Water and three Newsquest weekly titles the Salisbury Journal, Wiltshire Times, and Gazette and Herald.

Get your nominations in now and you might win £100 to spend in your village* (see details below).

While many of us have time on our hands its worth considering the things that make the place where you live or love to visit special.

Some of the things you might like to consider in making your choice:

  • Evidence of community spirit
  • Initiatives in the care of the environment of the village
  • General cleanliness, absence of litter and unsightly refuse dumps on verges
  • Condition of village greens, playing fields, school yards, public seats, and noticeboards
  • Condition of public and private buildings and gardens,
  • Condition of churchyards, cemeteries, and war memorials
  • Condition of public spaces including major car parks, sports fields and leisure areas.

There are six categories in the competition and the winners will receive special recognition at a prestige gathering.

We are looking for:

  • Best Large Village of the Year (population over 2,000)
  • Best Small Village of the Year (population higher than 500 and lower than 2,000)
  • Best Hamlet of the Year (population below 500)
  • Best Village Shop
  • Village Hero
  • Best Village Environmental Initiative

Bill Browne, speaking on behalf of the Newsquest titles, said: “There’s probably never been a better time to look around us with fresh eyes to appreciate the places, the people and the facilities we have in our own neighbourhoods and we hope people will take the time to tell us about them This is our chance to thank all those who work so hard to make the places where we live or like to visit.”

To make your nomination(s) you can go online by following the link by clicking here.

*All those nominating will go into our prize draw, with the winner receiving £100 to shop in the village of their choice. Terms and conditions available on request.