Village commended for two awards

The double award is presented annually and is organised by the Campaign to Protect Rural England. There are prizes in four categories covering environment, people, business and communications.

A statement from the judges said: ““The winning village is relatively small but self sufficient. The range of retail businesses is so extensive that you need never leave the village for shopping.

“There are many employers, so a high proportion of the residents work locally. The annual Village Show is almost comparable with the County Show and is highly participative.

“Excellent publications include a Year Book, Church magazine, Design Statement and Village Plan. The village has raised funds for, and built, a major extension to the Village Museum.

“There was mutual co-operation in a project to extend the cemetery.

Volunteers manage the Quarry Nature Reserve and the excavation of the archaeological site where a Romano British treasure hoard was discovered.

“Volunteers are lobbying English Heritage to help preserve Arbury Banks, a local bronze age hill fort, for the benefit of the nation.”

Cllr Tricia Cowley, North Herts District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Rural Affairs, said: “I offer my sincere congratulations to the residents of Ashwell, who have worked together to build a community where everyone thrives.

“Idyllic villages don’t just happen and Ashwell is a shining example to us all of what can be done when people care.”

Elsewhere in the Hertfordshire, Cottered won the award for East Hertfordshire.