Best Kept Communities - Silver Award
Best Kept Communities Competition 2022
Silver Award – Penyffordd Community Council
Cllrs Pat Ransome, Paul Blackman and Community Groundsperson, Chris Jones were really pleased to represent our community at the FLVC (Flintshire Local Voluntary Council) and FCC (Flintshire County Council) Best Kept Communities Awards Ceremony held at The Airbus Wings Social Club on Monday 5th December.
Awarded the Silver Award in the Best Kept Village Community of over 1000 category, it is testament to the work and commitment of those involved in improving our village environment for all to enjoy.
From the village circular walks leaflets, the planters, the tree planting project, the wilding of the roundabouts, the tree decorations, individual households and streets, the wildlife area, the litter collections to name just some, there are many ongoing projects which the community can be proud of and the award acknowledges the efforts and improvements being undertaken.
We heard from many communities across Flintshire who have worked on some amazing projects to look at vitally important green spaces, community gardens, dog walks, wildflower areas, tree planting, sensory gardens, recycling, bee friendly spaces, produce plots – the list is endless but we recognised how much we are working towards these and how much we already have in place here. Volunteers are helping out in our wildlife area and links being made with our youngsters but there is always more we can do.
We are sure next year we will be keen to take part again and hope that we can work together as a community to carry on improving our villages. Today is International Volunteers Day and so it was especially significant to acknowledge how important volunteers are to moving ideas forward. If you are interested in helping out with any of our community initiatives please contact our Clerk and you will be warmly welcomed.
Sarah Hughes; Clerk to Community Council
Feedback from Judges
Despite first Judging in 2019 this was only our second year in this role. It has been a richly rewarding experience to take time to visit all the entries in this Competition. There have been some outstanding entries this year and we have really enjoyed exploring such wonderful places in Flintshire. It has been a particular pleasure to meet with groups and listen to their experiences.
The awarding process has been very difficult in some categories due to the very diverse attributes of the entries. The process is based on appearance, community participation and evidence of enhancements to the environment including work in progress.
Penyffordd Community Council
The Judges applaud the positive approach to creating and enhancing green spaces throughout the area.
The new improvement programme for the roundabouts is well underway although it has unfortunately suffered during the intense weather.
The fact that Local businesses and residents have been helping with watering is commendable. They have also sponsored the resources.
The residential streets suggested were a credit to the area. Although there is considerable good work in the area it was difficult to ascertain which was community derived and which related to streetscene work and this may have impacted on the award.
Suggestions/The future
Given the size of the area under consideration the Judges suggested an annual Maintenance programme could be adopted with areas designated to volunteers and other supporters. Consider integration with youth organisations such as the scouts to actively maintain areas.
The Judges commented that the Dobshill section that they had parked near which they thought was part of the application was overgrown. The Clocktower improvements are welcomed.