Lancashire Best Kept Village Competition

Winners 2018

It is always a pleasure to see the hard work and endeavour that Lancashire villages and their residents put into the competition. The process and independence of our judging ensures fairness and it is great to see individual effort rewarded in the Certificate of Merit categories.

Over the competition's 60-year history we hope that organisers and participants have contributed to the quality of village life in Lancashire. Our Diamond Jubilee Awards Ceremony at the Villa in Wrea Green on Monday, 15th October. The ceremony attended by over 150 guests including 10 mayors from all over Lancashire; our Chairman, John Isherwood, gave an overview of the competition, its origins going back to 1958, and why this competition matters and inspires local communities.

This year 67 Lancashire villages entered the competition - standards were very high; there were 30 were winners, runner-ups or those receiving highly commended in one or more award categories.

Competition Winners (2018) [class entrants]

• Champion Village - Elswick (Runner-up - Chipping; Highly Commended - Blacko; Higham). [12]
• Large Village - Preesall and Knott End (Runner-up - Grimsargh; Highly Commended - Longton). [17]
• Medium Village - Wrea Green (Runner-up - Chatburn; Highly Commended - Mawdesley). [12]
• Small Village - West Bradford (Runner-up - Little Eccleston; Highly Commended - Bretherton, Weeton with Preese). [13]
• Hamlet - Roughlee (Runner-up - Wiswell; Highly Commended - Newchurch in Pendle; Barley). [13]
• Most Improved Large Village - Grimsargh.
• Most Improved Medium Village - Newton with Scales.
• Most Improved Small Village/Hamlet - Haskayne.
• Best First-Time Entry - Little Eccleston.

Certificate of Merit Winners (2018)

1. Place of Worship and Grounds. [53]
   Winner: Wrea Green - St. Nicholas' Church
   Runner-up: Bilsborrow - St. Hilda's Church, Whitechapel - St. James' Church
2. School and Grounds (including Children's Nurseries). [21]
   Winner: Grimsargh - St. Michael's Primary
   Runner-up: Sabden - Primary
3. Village Pub or Inn / Restaurant. [59]
   Winner: Lower Adlington - The Retreat
   Highly Commended: Bretherton - Blue Anchor; Haighton - Haighton Manor; Halsall - Saracen's Head
4. Public Hall, Community Centre, Institute, Library, Health Centre, Youth Centre. [32]
   Winner: Weeton with Preese - Village Hall
   Highly Commended: Elswick, Grimsargh, and West Bradford Village Halls
5. Public Playing Field/Sports Ground. [26]
   Winner: Wrea Green - The Mains Green
   Highly Commended: Hambleton - Bob Williamson Park
6. Children's Play Area. [28]
   Winner: Elswick - Village Hall Gardens
   Highly Commended: Lower Adlington - Jubilee Recreation Ground
7. Industrial or Commercial Premises. [17]
   Winner: Welch Whittle Festive Lights
   Highly Commended: Walmer Bridge - William Loughran
8. Shops. [21]
   Winner: Blacko - Barber's Shop
   Highly Commended : Chipping - Farm shop
9. Residential / Nursing Home / Sheltered Accommodation. [17]
   Winner: Mawdesley - Stocks Hall
   Highly Commended: Preesall and Knott End - Juniper Close; Goosnargh - Bushell House
10. Hotel / Guest House. [13]
    Winner: West Bradford- Eaves Hall
    Highly Commended: Bilsborrow - Duncombe House
11. Notice Board. [24]
    Winner: Lower Adlington - Adjacent to school
12. War Memorial. [32]
    Winner: Chipping
    Runner-up: Blacko & Wiswell
13. Bowling Green. [17]
    Winner: Sabden - Sabden Crown Green Bowling Club
    Highly Commended: Preesall and Knott End - KE WMC
14. Cricket Ground and Surrounds. [8]
    Winner: Grimsargh
    Highly Commended: Mawdesley
15. Public Garden. [18]
    Winner: Lower Adlington - Leonard Fairclough Memorial Garden
    Highly Commended: Chipping - Wild Flower Garden

Download Lancashire Best Kept Village Full Results 2018.

Villages entering in 2019 2019 village entrants. Results from >>> 2019 & 2017.