About & History
The competition was set up by the Community Council of Lancashire whose members were of the opinion that such a competition would promote a better environment for everyone throughout Lancashire.
In the early days of the competition, the whole of the County Palatine of Lancashire was included, but, after the boundary changes in 1974 it was only open to those villages in the administrative area of Lancashire County Council. It was hoped that the excluded areas (parts of Cumbria, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire) would have their own competitions, but this has only happened in Cheshire.
The first meeting was held on 16 April 1958 and six people, representing different voluntary bodies attended. Invitations to enter were sent out to all Parish Councils, Parish Meetings, Village Halls, Women's Institutes, and several other organisations - 500 invitations resulting in 16 entries. The first winner was Eccleston (Chorley).
Over the years, the number of entries has steadily risen, reaching a peak of 123 in 1994 when, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the competition, villages from outside the Lancashire County Council area, that had entered prior to the boundary changes, were invited to enter for that year only.
Since then, numbers have been fairly steady (90 - 100); in recent years entrant villages number around 70. In 2018 the Competition celebrated its 60th year Diamond Jubilee.
As part of a drive to encourage more entries, starting in 2019 and following a re-write of 'Constitution of the Competition', in order to streamline and simplify all paperwork used by villages and judges, the 'Certificate of Merit' part of the Competition has been replaced by a secondary competition called 'Outstanding Features'.
Villages entering the main competition will be able to nominate up to 10 Outstanding Features of their village - one per class for judging. Certificates will be awarded to the best in each class.
News: Latest
The Committee is pleased to announce this year's competition is now underway with villages entering 'Best Kept Village', 'Outstanding Features' and new 'Urban Communities' categories. Judges training sessions to took place 10th April and 11th May at Elswick Vllage Hall..
Round 2 villages and Finalists (bold) announced.
◆ Champion - Blacko, Bretherton, Chipping, Grindleton, Sabden
◆ Large - Adlington Higher, Hambleton, Longton
◆ Medium - Goosnargh & Whittingham, Newburgh, Waddington
◆ Small - Belmont, Brindle, Roughlee, West Bradford
◆ Hamlet - Little Eccleston, Inglewhite
Second Round judging results released on 15th August; with Final Judging 20th and 21st August.
The 2024 results to be announced at Presentation Event at Eaves Hall West Bradford 14th October when awards for 'Best Kept Villages' and 'Outstanding Features' given out.
We would like to thank all the villages taking part this year and look forward to visiting as part of the judging process. As ever we much appreciate all who take part and support this event, especially our Judges, Committee and sponsors.
In 2019 the 'Constitution of the Competition' was updated and streamlined, simplifying all paperwork used by villages and judges; the Certificate of Merit part of the competition was overhauled, replaced by a secondary competition called 'Outstanding Features' - villages entering the main competition able to nominate up to 10 Outstanding Features of their village, and certificates awarded to the best in each class. Ahead of the 2023 competition there was further review of the Constitution, entry and judging criteria and a pilot in place to add a 'Tidy Towns' section - this has evolved to become 'Urban Communities'.
Downloads
- Competition Entry Form 2024 [Word]
- Competition Entry Rules 2024 [PDF]
- Urban Community Entry Form 2024 [Word]
- Whole Village Urban Community Mark Sheets 2024 [PDF]
- Outstanding Features Entry Form/Mark Sheets 2024 [PDF]
- Outstanding Features Marking Criteria (2023) [PDF]
- LBKVC Constitution [PDF]
- Results (2023) | Press Briefing (Awards Ceremony 2023)
- Results (2022) | Press Briefing (Awards Ceremony 2022)
- Results (2021) | Press Briefing (Awards Ceremony 2021)
- Results (2019) | Press Briefing (Awards Ceremony 2019)
- Results (2018) | Press Briefing (2018)
Other Information
'10 Lancashire villages that you should visit' Lancashire Life (article)
'10 Most Picturesque Villages in Lancashire' Hotels.com (Go Guide). Visit period drama sets, unique hamlets and areas of outstanding beauty…
Did you know there are regional best kept village competitions across the United Kingdom?
Our thanks to our 2024 sponsors: Barton Grange Group, Eaves Hall Hotel at West Radford, Lancashire Association of Local Councils (LALC).