action - with communities in Cumbria

Cumbria Calor Village of the Year Competition

Cumbria Calor Village of the Year Competition is no longer running. For more information please contact Hellen Aitken Tel: 01768 869520 or Email:

2009 / 2010 National Competition Update
Congratulations to Crosthwaite! Following their success in the Cumbrian competition, they have now been named as winner of both the Community and Business Categories for the Northern Region.

Other winners in the Northern Regional round of judging are Rainow in Cheshire; winning the Communications Regional Category, and Newton le Willows in Yorkshire who have won the Sustainability Regional Category and been named as the Northern Regional winner. They will now go through to the next round of judging.

2009 Cumbria Competition Update
Crosthwaite has been named as Cumbrian Calor Village of the Year for 2009. Representatives from the winning village joined category winners Allonby and Nenthead to receive their awards at a presentation on Friday 11th September in Kirkby Stephen.

The competition, organised by Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT), also has four category winners:
Community Category – Allonby
Business Category – Nenthead
Sustainability Category – Crosthwaite
Communications Category – Crosthwaite

Competition judges, led by Eric Robson, Ambassador for Cumbria, visited all 3 villages at the end of August before making their final decision. They were particularly impressed by Crosthwaite which they described as a “strong, cohesive, prosperous area” with a “first class vision of the way ahead” and “very strong evidence of the community pulling together, looking for solutions to their own issues”.

On hearing they had won the competition, Lorraine Brierley from Crosthwaite said “The entry was a team effort, with many people within the village getting involved in compiling the information and then presenting to the judges on the day.  This award just confirms what we already knew - Crosthwaite is a great place to live!”

Roger Roberts, ACT Chief Executive, and Holly Sims, representing competition sponsor Calor - the UK’s leading supplier of off-mains gas, presented the awards to the winning villages. As overall winner and the winner of 2 categories, Crosthwaite was awarded with a commemorative plaque, framed certificates and a total of £500 prize money. Category winners Allonby and Nenthead each received framed certificates and £100 prize money.

Roger Roberts said “Our congratulations go to all the villages in this year’s competition. The Calor Village of the Year Competition celebrates the type of community activity that is at the heart of ACT’s work, because of this we are delighted to organise the competition in Cumbria and directly sponsor the prize fund.  This strengthens our long association with Cumbria’s active communities and will help to support their success.”

Caroline Holmes, Jim Bownass, Lorraine Brierley, Joen Holmes and Denise Park with the winner’s plaque

2008 / 2009 National Competition Update
Kirkby Stephen has been named the best village in England. It beat four other contenders to claim the Calor Village of the Year title for 2009. In addition to the prizes won in the regional round, they have been awarded £10,000 prize money which will be invested in local projects and £3,000 towards a community celebration event for residents.

The judges, who examined aspects such as community, business, sustainability and communications, said of Kirkby Stephen “This
community displays a breadth of vision seldom found elsewhere, with an inward focus that ensures all residents are cared for, supported and empowered, while playing a key role in the wider community.” “Kirkby Stephen really is a vibrant, caring and successful community.”

Mike Walker, Town Forum secretary, receiving the regional award from Calor’s Holly Sims

The Cumbria Calor Village of the Year Competition is coordinated by ACT and sponsored by Calor.

Contact Hellen Aitken for further details Tel: 01768 869520 or Email: