The Best Kept Village Competition in the Vale of Glamorgan
The Vale of Glamorgan lies along the South Wales coast to the west of Cardiff, as rich in pasture as it is in history and beauty, and unique in its setting on the fringe of large industrial areas. Within the Vale are famous old castles and the ancient village of Llantwit Major, where tradition holds that one of the oldest Christian communities gathered in AD61 — some 400 years before Illtyd established his church there.
To mark the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, the family of the late Mr D.C. Jones of Barry donated a handsome challenge trophy for annual competition by villages in the Vale of Glamorgan. An independent committee of representatives from local councils, bodies such as the Women's Institute, and independent members organises and manages the competition.
The purpose of the competition is to help preserve the rural nature of the area and to encourage villagers to take pride in their traditions and environment. The rules relating to entry and judging have been carefully formulated. The system of judging provides that even the smallest and most unpretentious village stands an equal chance of recognition as one noted for its architectural features or natural beauty. The whole emphasis is on community effort.
Generous marks are awarded for the general appearance of the village, innovation, and evidence of community effort in both private and communal areas. However, marks are deducted for discordant features such as ill-kept war memorials, village greens, unsightly advertisements, litter, badly kept gardens, ditches, hedges, garages and shops.
The preliminary judging is undertaken by teams of three from the management committee, all teams also being required to judge the same specific "standard" village to ensure consistency of marking. An independent judge determines the final placings from a shortlist of four.
Apart from the Challenge Cup, winners receive a splendid oak sign displayed on the Village Green for a year, and a plaque from the Vale of Glamorgan Council for retention. Thanks to the generosity of the Council, Community Councils and Calor Gas, the committee have been able to grant substantial annual awards to the winners. A separate children's competition for organised groups such as schools, guides, scouts and youth clubs is also organised.
It is emphasised that the competition is for the best kept village, and takes no account of the various architectural features of buildings or the natural beauty of the area.
B.J. Watkins, Chairman, Best Kept Village Management Committee
Chief Judge's Comments, 1997
Major Dan Clayton-Jones, Immediate Past High Sheriff, Mid Glamorgan
"The initial impression was of overall excellence and ample evidence of community effort. Individual gardens and hedges were a joy to behold, and it was obvious that adjacent areas had been carefully tended to be clear of grass and weeds.← Back to Home
The entrance to the village was quite captivating — at the triangular junction of the lanes a feature had been made of the newly painted old village pump, with a flower bed and seat behind. Other innovative features were noted, such as a wooden bridge over the stream constructed with materials purchased with the award from winning the previous year's competition, and an ornamental culvert built by one of the villagers.
Around the well-maintained Blacksmiths Arms it was delightful to see memorabilia of crafts from past days — anvils and cartwheel equipment attractively displayed. It was difficult to fault the churchyard, which was well-mown and cared for, particularly noting the strimming between gravestones, something often overlooked. The area surrounding the Village Hall and playground were carefully maintained, and it was pleasing to see the bus shelter absolutely impeccable — no signs of graffiti and with an up-to-date and informative notice board concerning village affairs. One would be hard put to find such well-swept pavements and roads with a complete absence of litter.
All in all, an outstanding village and a worthy winner of this year's competition." — Major Dan Clayton-Jones, Chief Judge, 1997