Entry deadline is looming for Village of Year competition

RURAL communities across the borough are being encouraged to put forward their village for 2010 Northern Ireland Calor Village of the Year.

The deadline for this year's entries is on July 2 and communities across County Londonderry are being urged to get their in for a chance of winning 5,000. The competition is run in conjunction with the Rural Development Council (RDC) and celebrates vibrant, enterprising and caring rural communities and the vital role they play in life in Northern Ireland. It is open to all rural communities with a population of 4,500 or under and villages will be assessed on five aspects of rural life – building community life, business, young people, environment and older people. Each category winner will receive 1,000 with an additional 5,000 on offer to the village which wins the overall 2010 Calor Village of the Year award. This year the competition includes a Calor Rural Community Award to recognise and acknowledge the contribution made by rural communities with a population of less than 1,000.

Mark McClements, Regional Sales Manager, Calor Gas, said: "The closing date for entries is fast approaching and we are calling on all rural communities to enter this year's competition and demonstrate all that is good about their village.

"Northern Ireland is home to many vibrant villages of all sizes with highly commendable people and we want to hear from them as we celebrate the outstanding achievements of our rural communities."

Martin McDonald, Chief Executive, Rural Development Council, said: "The Calor Village of the Year competition is a great opportunity for local villages to showcase the positive role that rural communities play in life in Northern Ireland.

"I would recommend that every village takes the opportunity to enter the competition and puts themselves in with the chance of winning 5,000 and the coveted Calor Village of the Year title."

Ahoghill won the 2009 title after being praised for its outstanding effort, consistency and achievement in all categories of the competition. The village demonstrated tremendous community involvement, along with a real sense of pride, which gave judges a genuine appreciation for what it was like to live there.

Kelli McCaw of The Wash Basin in the village said: "Every member of our local community played an active role in helping our village win the award, and this provided us with a platform to showcase our strong bonds of unity and togetherness throughout the competition.

"Even after winning the award nobody has rested on their laurels. The success has acted as a catalyst for the community to ensure that our village continues to build towards a brighter future for the people of Ahoghill.

"I would encourage any community to take part in the competition, as it allows your village to demonstrate that it is a special place to live with special people at its heart."

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

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