CCA News Release

AudlemOnline doesn't normally publish news releases as such, but we thought that this should be an exception as it includes the formal announcement of Audlem winning the Best Kept Village/Market Town in Cheshire.
Hidden away in the small print is confirmation that Audlem also won a Little Gem award, and an ESSAR UK award, and finally the Best Village Website award which we couldn't ignore, could we?
The photo shows Phil Johnson, Chairman of Audlem Parish Council, receiving the Best Kept Village award from the sponsors.

CHESHIRE COMMUNITY ACTION NEWS RELEASE DATE: 15/10/13

LOCAL CHARITY DELIVERS A WINNING AWARDS EVENT FOR PROUD CHESHIRE COMMUNITIES

The 57th Community Pride Competition organised by Cheshire Community Action was celebrated at the Ellesmere Port Civic Hall (hosted by Cheshire West and Chester Council) in the presence of a large gathering of Civic Leaders including the High Sheriff of Cheshire, Parish Councillors, Competition Judges and enthusiasts who had travelled from all parts of the County.

The Overall Championship Award was presented to AUDLEM as BEST KEPT VILLAGE/MARKET TOWN.

AUDLEM is a worthy winner with a very strong community. There are many local volunteers who all work hard to make Audlem a vibrant place to live and visit.

Michael Trevor-Barnston MBE, President of Cheshire Community Action said: "(the Awards Evening) was one of the best Community Pride Evenings we have had... everyone enjoyed the evening and many came away with commendations."

Ian Cotton of ESSAR OIL UK, sponsor of the Competition, presented a plaque and cheque. Mr Cotton said following the event: "It is inspiring to see how much hard work is done by volunteers to make villages and towns more vibrant and attractive to residents and visitors.

"One of the reasons ESSAR supports the Competition is due to the important work done by local communities volunteering to keep and care for their local environment."

Other awards included: The Cheshire COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD presented to TATTENHALL, the Runner Up was TILSTON, and Highly Commended were DISLEY and RUSHTON.

PLUMLEY WITH TOFT & BEXTON won the Community Safety Award, which is sponsored by CHESHIRE CONSTABULARY. A plaque and a cheque for £250 were presented by Janet McCormack, Assistant Chief Constable together with 2012 Winner Jake Thompson she also presented THE YOUNG PERSONS GOOD CITIZEN AWARD to Charlie Buckley of Ellesmere Port.

Linda Clarke from Cheshire Archives gave an illuminated talk on Victorian Photography in Cheshire.

The Little Gem Award has proved very popular. It covers any area or artefact in the village, which shows special care and attention. Thirty-two certificates were awarded.

The BEST VILLAGE WEBSITE was won by CONGLETON for the Market Town Award, and AUDLEM for the Village Award.

Mr. Cotton presented the ESSAR UK Awards in the seven population categories. These were SIDDINGTON, CROWTON, COMBERBACH, AUDLEM, KELSALL, WISTASTON AND SANDBACH.

GREAT WARFORD received the award for the MOST IMPROVED VILLAGE in the past year.

There were three new competitions this year – BEST COMMUNITY INITIATIVE won by DISLEY, with Highly Commended awards for PICKMERE AND SANDBACH. The WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AWARD went to TILSTON with Highly Commended awards to TATTENHALL and WILLASTON (Nantwich).

The Community Champion Award went to Mike Wilson of RUSHTON, with Highly Commended awards to Nicola Prince, TILSTON and Ron Beever of HATTON.

The Competition exemplifies the community spirit in all the villages. It demonstrates and emphasises just how much voluntary work is undertaken to keep Cheshire a vibrant and attractive County. The competition encourages villages to improve every aspect of village life which is under threat in so many different ways.

The volunteer judges come from all over the county and spend considerable time scoring the entrants throughout the year. They all agreed that standards continue to improve.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.