11 villages vie for ‘best kept’ title

Eleven communities throughout will be pinning their hopes on being named the Montgomeryshire Best Kept Village 2016 next week.

Judging has been anonymously undertaken over recent months for the competition run by The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales’ Montgomeryshire branch, supported by Mid Wales and Shropshire estate agents and chartered surveyors, Morris Marshall and Poole.

The judges were tasked with focusing on the vibrancy, community spirit and local services of each village and not just the aesthetic look and feel.

The 11 villages through to the finals are Llanymynech, Caersws, Berriew, Dolanog, Bettws Cedewain, Llandyssil, Arddleen, Guilsfield, Meifod, Castle Caereinion and Tregynon.

“It’s been a tough one for the judges,” said Chris Fuller, Chairman of the Montgomeryshire branch of the CPRW. “We were impressed by the number of communities applying and bringing together a wide variety of people from all walks of life and ages within their villages to demonstrate what’s so great about them.

“We’re now looking forward to the finals on September 30 when the finalists will be named and the winner revealed.”

The announcement will be made at an event hosted by Morris Marshall and Poole at Welshpool Livestock Sales conference facility at Buttington Cross, Welshpool when each of the villages will be in attendance.

Broadcaster, journalist and CPRW President Jules Hudson, best known for presenting Countryfile and A Place in the Country, will announce the winning Best Kept Village 2016.

“The competition has demonstrated just how great our communities in north Powys are to live and work,” said Andrew Turner, a partner at Morris, Marshall and Poole.

“Each and every village has demonstrated just how vibrant they are when it comes to community spirit and bringing people together. We cannot wait to find out which village will be crowned the winner next week.”