Lemsford Village Wins Big Time

 

1st July 2010

 

 

Great news, hot off the residents’ Wi-Fi network, Lemsford villagers are proud winners of two awards in the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Hertfordshire Village of the Year Competition!

Not only did Lemsford carry the day as best “Small Village of the Year” for 2010. They also won a second award for “Best Hertfordshire Village” in the Environment Category.

The picture shows proud members of the Lemsford Residents Association, Terry, Peter, Gary Matthews, Editor of the Hertfordshire Mercury, Ginny, Kate Belinis, Hertfordshire Community Foundation Trustee, Jackie, Ghis (back), Lyn (front), Nigel and Tony receiving the awards.

 

An Exceptional Village

The Judges described Lemsford as an exceptional village and commented: “They not only have a first class Nature Reserve, they are making new allotments and clearing banks, so that wild flowers can bloom again. The river is clear and full of wildlife. The oversubscribed school has an ecological centre. The village has one of the oldest and most successful football teams in the county. It holds an annual fête as well as street parties.

“It even has its own local history group which publishes its own documents. All this despite having one of the smallest populations in the county.”

 

Ecstatic Villagers

Villagers and members of the Lemsford Residents Association are ecstatic with their two awards.

“We love being part of Lemsford and winning the best Small Village Award makes it all the more worth while and rewarding. Our congratulations go to the Residents Association for all their hard work in making it all possible,” said Laura Kearney, Landlady at The Sun Inn.

Philip Gould emailed: “Congratulations to everyone involved in the village competition. It was a great team effort and Sue and I are mighty proud to have been associated with all Lemsford’s accomplishments”.

 

“Are they the Judges?”

Children at St. John’s School were equally thrilled when Residents Association members, Carole Payne, Ginny Butler and Nigel Quinton, attended their morning assembly to thank them for making the judges so welcome when they visited. After all, a soft, awed comment overheard on that day, “Are they the judges?” could have helped influence the result!

 

Award Ceremony

The official Awards Presentation Ceremony will be held in Ashwell, overall winner of Hertfordshire Village of the Year 2010. In addition to their Hertfordshire Mercury and Nazeing Glass rose bowls and two CPRE Hertfordshire Plaques, Lemsford will be presented with cash prizes totalling £200 - £100 for each of their winning categories.

 

Lemsford villagers wish to express their heartfelt thanks to CPRE, sponsors Hertfordshire Community Foundation in association with Hertfordshire County Council, North Hertfordshire District Council & Hertfordshire Mercury.

 

 

 

 

Report from the Welwyn Times

 

Lemsford, Knebworth and Woolmer Green all received prizes during the annual awards celebrations, organised by the Hertfordshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).Now in its 11th year, the winners were announced last night (Thursday) at a ceremony at County Hall in Hertford.

Lemsford was named Small Village of the Year, for its commitment to the environment and community spirit. Judges described Lemsford as “exceptional”.

 

The judges’ tribute read: “They are making new allotments and clearing banks, so that wild flowers can bloom again. The river is clear and full of wildlife. The oversubscribed school has an ecological centre. The village has one of the oldest and most successful football teams in the county. It holds an annual Village fête, as well as street parties.

“It even has its own local history group, which publishes its own documents. All this despite having one of the smallest populations in the county.”

 

 

By Ross Logan (WT Reporter)

Click here to view full report - Thank you to the Welwyn Times.

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18th June 2010

 

Hertfordshire Village of the Year Competition.

 

Lemsford has entered this year’s Hertfordshire Village of the Year Competition. Three judges visited our village on the 18th June and we look forward to hearing the results on Thursday 1st July 2010 . A guided tour was given with a presentation and light refreshments provided for the judges. Lemsford is being judged in four categories: People, Environment, Business and Communications. Each category carries a prize and one of the major prize-winners from ‘Village of the Year East’, ‘Village of the Year North’ or ‘Village of the Year West’ is chosen as the overall Hertfordshire Village of the Year. The results of the competition will be announced at the Village of the Year Awards Evening at the County Hall on Thursday, 1st July.Hertfordshire Village of the Year 2010 is organised by CPRE Hertfordshire, the county’s branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.The Competition is sponsored by the Hertfordshire Community Foundation in association with Hertfordshire County Council, North Hertfordshire District Council & Hertfordshire Mercury. The competition recognises, rewards and encourages vibrant village communities.

To view website Click Here.