Best Kept Villages 2024 – Presentation Day Report

On Sunday 22nd September the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton DStJ, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Dr Olivia Chapple OBE, the Chairman of Wiltshire Council, Councillor Bridget Wayman, and the Project Officer for CPRE Wiltshire, Mike Manson, led the presentation team to the winning villages in this year’s Wiltshire Best Kept Village Competition.

Despite the wet weather, very many villagers turned out at each village to take part in the presentation events.

This year none of the three winning villages in the Large, Medium and Small categories had won overall for at least the past 20 years, although they have all been regular entrants to the Competition.  So, persistence and learning from previous judges’ comments, clearly pays off!  Clearly many people had been involved in both large and small ways, with a collective, community effort that had obviously generated great and justifiable pride in each village’s appearance.

Ashton Keynes

Ashton Keynes was judged to be the Best Kept Large Village and was given an eight-foot standard with mounted shield for a year, emplaced prominently on the edge of the village green in the centre of their village.  The judges had admired the very busy village hall and shop and the many village activities. They also commented very favourably many aspects including the pub, the gardens, the converted telephone box, clearly marked footpaths, the churchyard, the recreation grounds and the obvious great spirit in the village.

Mike Manson welcomed Ashton Keynes villagers and the presentation team and spoke briefly about the work of CPRE.  The Lord-Lieutenant then pulled away the Union Flag surmounting the standard which had been emplaced on the High Road opposite the playing field.  Councillor Bridget Wayman presented the Council’s plaque to Evie Fenner, a Year 5 pupil at Ashton Keynes Primary School.  The High Sheriff then presented the CPRE Wiltshire certificate to David Tarr, a former Parish Councillor, a former Governor of Ashton Keynes Primary School and currently the Leader of the Ashton Keynes Scout Group.  Mike Manson presented the CPRE North Wiltshire certificate to Cllr Dominic Venthan, Ashton Keynes Parish Councilor and organiser of the Ashton Keynes entry to the Competition.  Finally, Cllr Dave Wingrove, Chairman of Ashton Keynes Parish Council, gave a vote of thanks to villagers and the presentation team.

Upper and Lower Seagry

Upper and Lower Seagry was judged to be the Best Kept Medium Village.  The judges felt that the village has an “excellent community spirit” which “was evident from the team of volunteers working outside the Goss Croft Hall on the day we visited”.  They had seen no litter anywhere and commented particularly on many aspects including the parish magazine, the children’s play equipment, the Spitfire memorial and its surrounds and the efforts dedicated to biodiversity.

Presentations at Upper and Lower Seagry took place adjacent to Upper Seagry’s bus shelter.  After Mike Manson had welcomed all present and spoken about the work of CPRE, the Lord-Lieutenant pulled away the Union Flag surmounting the standard and congratulated the many villagers present on their performance to win the Competition.  Councillor Bridget Wayman presented the Council’s plaque to Mr Richard Vivash, Head of the Goss Croft Hall Maintenance Team.  The High Sheriff then presented the CPRE Wiltshire certificate also to Mrs Fiona River, Co-ordinator of the Goss Croft Hall Maintenance Team. Finally, Mike Manson presented the CPRE North Wiltshire district certificate to Mr Ian Whitehall, Trustee of the Seagry & Startley Recreation Trust.  Cllr Michael Barber, Chairman of the Seagry Parish Council thanked both all those who had contributed to Seagry’s success and also the presentation team.

Hankerton

Hankerton was judged to be the Best Kept Small Village.  The judges had commented on the “a clean, well-kept appearance with an absence of litter”.  Highlights included smart verges with flowers, well presented private gardens, the phone box, the churchyard and the footpaths.  They concluded that “Hankerton has the feeling of a village where residents care about their surroundings”.

Due partly to the rain, presentations took place inside the church, which double as a parish hall.  After Mike Manson had welcomed all present and spoken about the work of CPRE, the Lord-Lieutenant unveiled the BKVC Standard.  Councillor Bridget Wayman then presented Wiltshire Council’s plaque to David Pynn, who was a parish councillor some years ago and who regularly volunteers for village working parties.  The High Sheriff presented the CPRE Wiltshire certificate to Steve Davies who is the instigator of the Living Churchyard Project in Hankerton Church.  Mike Manson presented the CPRE North Wiltshire group certificate to Sarah Keen who, a few years ago, laid down, planted and now maintains some flower beds and pots on her street.  David Pynn then gave a vote of thanks to villagers and the presentation team.

Laurence Kitching Award, for the “Winner of Winners”                            

Urchfont won the Laurence Kitching Award, sponsored by idverde, Wiltshire Council’s main grounds maintenance contractor.   The winning six villages from the 2022 and 2023 Best Kept Village Competitions were ineligible to compete in the main competition but were encouraged to enter the Laurence Kitching Award. This year Bratton, Rushall and Tockenham all entered in addition to Urchfont and were judged in July.

In their report on Urchfont the judges felt that it is “A happy village community who work together for the good of all, creating a lovely place to live.” They “were impressed by all the green open spaces throughout the village that were maintained to a high standard. The use of the telephone box, with a rota for organizations to display their clubs etc, was inventive and offered a fascinating insight to see the results.”

The many villagers present were welcomed by Mike Manson. The High Sheriff of Wiltshire unveiled the BKVC “Winner of Winners” standard.   Cllr Bridget Wayman then presented Wiltshire Council’s plaque to Elaine and Paul Bancroft who have been very proactive volunteers in the village for many years. Mr Paul Ashman, Community Engagement Manager of idverde, presented the company’s plaque also to Elaine and Paul Bancroft. Mike Manson presented the accompanying certificate to Pam Moscrop, Chair of Urchfont Parish Council.  The High Sheriff then presented to Pam Moscrop a memorial alder tree on behalf of Miss Carly Paoli, CPRE Wiltshire’s Countryside Ambassador, who had donated the tree.

Miss Paoli had sent the following message to Urchfont: ” Congratulations to Urchfont for winning the Winner of Winners award for the second time in Wiltshire’s Best Kept Village competition.   I was delighted to present a Mountain Ash in 2021 and have seen it flourish ever since.   This is an incredible achievement as it takes so much time, commitment and effort to maintain our countryside and to such a high standard.  Our countryside is so precious and I am sure that anyone who lives or visits Urchfont is appreciative of all that the villagers do to make it such a beautiful place.”

Pam Moscrop then gave a vote of thanks to all those present and to the many villagers who had worked hard over the past year to keep the village well presented.

Urchfont also received a £200 prize.