Lancashire Best Kept Village Competition

Judging

Judges come from all walks of life and from all over the county. They judge on a voluntary basis, giving freely of their time and do not receive any expenses. New judges are always required. If you would like further information, please contact the secretary.

Judging Criteria

What are the judges looking for?

The judges will take the following into consideration:

• Overall Tidiness of the Village
  An absence of weeds and litter, on roads, paths, verges, verges, play areas and car parks. Well-maintained open spaces, playing fields and children's play areas.
• Private Property
  Well cared for private properties, including the condition of grounds, hedges, walls, garages and other outbuildings.
• Communal Buildings and Recreation Facilities
  The general tidiness and maintenance of village halls, libraries, health centres, toilets, monuments, war memorials, seats and litter bins will be assessed. The grounds associated with these features will be included and the safety of leisure features. The cleanliness of bus shelters and telephone kiosks will be assessed.
• Commercial Premises and Surrounds
  The tidiness of all aspects of commercial premises and signs will be judged, i.e., shops, inns, restaurants, commercial and industrial premises and private clubs.
• Places of Worship, Graveyards and Cemeteries
  The buildings, entrance gates, paths and notice boards will be assessed, plus the upkeep and maintenance of graveyards, cemeteries and grounds.

As a general consideration the judges will not be judging natural beauty but will be assessing the degree of effort that has been applied to maintaining the village in a satisfactory state. The judges will take into account any evidence that a special feature has been developed in the village.

The absence of any of the features listed will not penalise the village. A calculation will be made, taking account of any features that are absent, and the final marks will be adjusted accordingly.

All private property and schools will be judged from the road or footpath. The judges may take a closer look at public buildings and their surrounds but will not enter any property.