Time to show whose village is best

COMMUNITIES across Suffolk are preparing to go head-to-head in an annual contest to discover the county's best village.

Organisers have launched the Calor Village of the Year competition, which this year offers an enlarged prize fund for the lucky winners.

The competition, which is in its 16th year, is run by the Suffolk Association of Local Councils in partnership with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Suffolk County Council, and the county's six district councils.

This year villages with a population of up to 500 are invited to enter the contest and prizes will be awarded for community spirit, care of the natural environment and also general care of the village.

The competition is sponsored by gas suppliers Calor and has attracted support from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which has provided additional funding for the Building Community Life category.

This means one lucky village will receive £500 as Suffolk's Building Community Life winner.

Organiser Rona Burt said: "We are really excited about this year's competition. It is hoped that the additional prize money will galvanise Suffolk's villages into action.

"However, I must stress that although the prize money is certainly one of the benefits of entering, it is by no means the only reason villages should take part.

"The competition gets residents working together and encourages them to look at how everyone within the community is being provided for. It's an opportunity for them to celebrate all the positive aspects of life in their village and say 'well done' to the people that get community projects up and running."

Last year Wortham won the regional category title for Business.

Entry forms have been distributed to parish clerks across Suffolk.

For more information, email ronabulldog@aol.com or call 01638 712309. The deadline for entries is April 30 and judging will take place in June.