Slideshow: Swanton Morley clinches top Norfolk village award

By MICHAEL POLLITT

Rural affairs correspondent

It was an opportunity to celebrate the very best in community spirit as the finalists in the EDP Pride of Norfolk awards were welcomed at County Hall last night.

And the honours were shared across the county as the smallest and largest communities were presented with engraved brass plaques by Radio 4 Farming Today presenter Anna Hill.

The surprise award for the Norfolk Community of the Year went to Swanton Morley, which also won the under 2,500 population category. It will represent the county in the 2010 Calor National Village of the Year competition and will hope to achieve as much success as Denton, near Harleston, which was a top five finalist in the 2009 national competition.

Roger Atterwill, chairman of the parish council, was delighted that Swanton Morley had finally won the category and gone on to win the supreme award.

"If I'm honest we have been successful because we have tried to involve more younger people in the village," he added.

Winners of the Pride in Norfolk Awards at County Hall

The presence of the Light Dragoons and their families, who had played an increasing role in village life, had also been enormously appreciated, said Mr Atterwill, who was loudly applauded by the 175-strong audience of invited guests and councillors.

"I can't praise enough the community spirit of Swanton and all that has come together through tragic circumstances," said Mr Atterwill, who made special mention of Capt Mike Read, who is the army welfare officer and was unable to attend last night.

Boughton, near Downham Market, which has a population of just 200, involved all sections of the community and especially young people. It won the category for under 500-population at the second time of asking.

Frank Reid, chairman of the parish council, said that everyone played a part in creating a vibrant and lively village and he praised youngsters including Ellen Morton, who ran the village's sunflower competition and helped to judge the 25 entries.

Last night was an opportunity to highlight the contribution of unsung heroes as the runner-up award for under 1,000 population was presented to Yaxham, near Dereham. One member of the village hall committee, David Myhill, was thanked for his 32 years' service.

In the under 5,000 category, Sybil Melton, chairman of Snettisham parish council, praised her "very close-knit" community. "I can't thank the villagers enough because they all pull their weight to make it happen," she added.

The Georgian market town of Holt was the winner of the 5,000-population category, but the Mayor Brian Payne, who was wearing his chain of office, said that the jewel in the crown was the hugely successful youth project to create a gym and leisure centre. It had started in the front room of a volunteer and had just won £400,000 in lottery funding to turn a dream into a reality, he said.

Members of a 40-strong youth choir, Treble Melody, from Taverham, entertained the gathering with a selection of songs, led by their director Tracey Melton.

Baroness Shephard, president of the Norfolk Association of Local Councils, presented the awards for EDP Clerk of the Year. The runners-up were Lisa Powell, of Hunstanton, and Peter Dawson, of Martham. Rachel Jackson, of Costessey Parish Council, was the winner.