East Lancashire towns and villages celebrating success in Best Kept Awards (From Lancashire Telegraph)

East Lancashire towns and villages celebrating success in Best Kept Awards

12:00pm Saturday 8th September 2012 in News

EAST Lancashire is celebrating after its villages and towns triumphed in the region’s Best Kept Village competition.

More than 90 villages fought for the competition’s highly contested titles, which were judged by Lord Doug Hoyle of Warrington, former MP of Nelson and Colne.

Among those recognised for their hard work was Wiswell, in the Ribble Valley, which won the hamlet category for the second year running.

Coun Robert Thompson, who represents the Wiswell and Pendleton ward, said everybody had worked extremely hard to make sure the village held onto its title.

He said: “We are absolutely delighted.

“Residents worked very hard, especially one or two dedicated people in keeping the Coronation Garden nice and tidy but there was also tremendous community spirit with things like litter picking.”

Ribchester picked up the award for most improved medium village and the village’s Saint Peter and St Paul’s Church being given a certificate of merit.

Blacko, in Pendle, was recognised for its public playing field at Blacko Recreation ground, with Blacko Barber Shop and the war memorial also earning credit.

The village also came runner up in the champion village round, which was won by Wrea Green, in Fylde.

Coun Shelagh Derwent, from the Blacko and Higherford ward, said: “We are absolutely thrilled, we have done really well for several years.

“It is a tribute to the village, an awful lot of people have taken on a small area and looked after it, it is just wonderful.

“It does help everybody and makes it a better environment to live in.”

A certificate of merit for public gardens was awarded to Waddington for its Coronation Gardens and Whalley Bus Station was also recognised for its public toilet facilities.

Certificates were also given to Longridge Old Station Heritage Centre, Whitworth Greenbrook House sheltered accommodation in Rossendale and the caravan park at Roughlee, near Nelson.

An awards ceremony will be held in Wrea Green on October 15.

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