The search is on for the Village of the Year 2010

The Calor Rural Community Award will recognise and acknowledge the contribution made by smaller rural communities with a population of less than 1,000, with the overall title of Calor Village of the Year open to all rural communities with a population of less than 4,500.

The Calor Village of the Year competition, run in conjunction with the Rural Development Council (RDC), celebrates vibrant, enterprising and caring rural communities and the vital role they play to life in Northern Ireland.

It will assess villages and rural communities on five aspects of rural life – building community life, business, young people, environment and older people.

Each category winner and the Rural Award winner will each receive 1,000 with an additional 5,000 on offer to the village which wins the overall 2010 Calor Village of the Year award.

Ahoghill won the 2009 Calor Village of the Year competition and was praised for its outstanding effort, consistency and achievement in all categories of the competition.

The County Antrim village demonstrated an exceptional level of community involvement, along with a real sense of pride which gave judges a genuine appreciation for what it was like to live in the village.

Kelli McCaw, The Wash Basin in Ahoghill, said: “Winning the 2009 Calor Village of the Year Competition was a wonderful achievement and provided everyone in Ahoghill with a tremendous boost. I would encourage any village to take part in the competition, as it brings a great sense of pride and togetherness to your local community.”

For more information on the 2010 Calor Village of the Year competition and to download an application pack visit: www.calorvillageoftheyear.org/northern-ireland.