Dromboughil wins prestigious Calor award

The competition, which is run in conjunction with the Rural Development Council (RDC), celebrates vibrant, enterprising and caring rural communities and the vital role they play in local life.

It is open to all rural communities with a population of less than 4,500 and judged against five categories – building community life, business, young people, environment and older people.

Congratulating the category winner, Michael Kossack, Chief Executive of Calor Gas, said: "Dromboughill is a small community but an exceedingly caring one, marking it as the outstanding village of the year in the Older People category.

"The judges were impressed with Dromboughil's investment in its senior citizens, offering them a wide range of facilities and activities that has allowed them to play an active role in community life.

"The judges were also impressed with the support services available to older residents, which included prescription collection services, shopping and a meals-on-wheels service, as well as the availability of practical advice on finance and utilities."

Martin Mc Donald, Chief Executive, Rural Development Council said this year's competition had been a tremendous success.

"Every entrant demonstrated community spirit and commitment, along with a real sense of pride, giving us a genuine appreciation for what it is like to live there," he said.

"There could be only one overall winner, but we congratulate everyone for their hard work and dedication which, once again, demonstrates how vibrant a role our many villages play in Northern Ireland community life."

For more information on the 2010 Calor Village of the Year competition visit www.calorvillageoftheyear.org/northern-ireland or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalorVillageoftheYear.