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)
- Place of Worship and Grounds. [53]
Winner: Wrea Green - St. Nicholas' Church
Runner-up: Bilsborrow - St. Hilda's Church, Whitechapel - St. James' Church - School and Grounds (including Children's Nurseries). [21]
Winner: Grimsargh - St. Michael's Primary
Runner-up: Sabden - Primary - Village Pub or Inn / Restaurant. [59]
Winner: Lower Adlington - The Retreat
Highly Commended: Bretherton - Blue Anchor; Haighton - Haighton Manor; Halsall - Saracen's Head - 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 - Public Playing Field/Sports Ground. [26]
Winner: Wrea Green - The Mains Green
Highly Commended: Hambleton - Bob Williamson Park - Children's Play Area. [28]
Winner: Elswick - Village Hall Gardens
Highly Commended: Lower Adlington - Jubilee Recreation Ground - Industrial or Commercial Premises. [17]
Winner: Welch Whittle Festive Lights
Highly Commended: Walmer Bridge - William Loughran - Shops. [21]
Winner: Blacko - Barber's Shop
Highly Commended : Chipping - Farm shop - Residential / Nursing Home / Sheltered Accommodation. [17]
Winner: Mawdesley - Stocks Hall
Highly Commended: Preesall and Knott End - Juniper Close; Goosnargh - Bushell House - Hotel / Guest House. [13]
Winner: West Bradford- Eaves Hall
Highly Commended: Bilsborrow - Duncombe House - Notice Board. [24]
Winner: Lower Adlington - Adjacent to school - War Memorial. [32]
Winner: Chipping
Runner-up: Blacko & Wiswell - Bowling Green. [17]
Winner: Sabden - Sabden Crown Green Bowling Club
Highly Commended: Preesall and Knott End - KE WMC - Cricket Ground and Surrounds. [8]
Winner: Grimsargh
Highly Commended: Mawdesley - 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.
News: Latest
Preparations are now in hand for the 2022 Competition. There has been a further review of our Constitution, entry and judging criteria, and Judges training scheduled. Organisers now welcome entries from Lancashire villages - by 30/4/22.
Following the cancellation in 2020, the Competition resumed in 2021 with 46 villages taking part - understandably down on the usual number of entrants.
Champion Villages in 2021:
Final judged by Ralph Assheton (Sheriff of Lancashire 2020).
◆ Champion Village: Blacko
◆ Large Village: Halsall
◆ Medium Village: Barton
◆ Small Village: Whitechapel
◆ Hamlet: Barley
2021 Full Results
As ever we much appreciate all who take part and support this event, especially our Judges, Committee and sponsors. Good luck to all who take part!
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.
Downloads
- Competition Entry Form 2022 (Word)
- Competition Entry Rules 2022 (PDF)
- LBKVC Constitution (PDF)
- Outstanding Features/Whole Village Mark Sheets 2022 (PDF) | (Word)
- Judges Report Form 2022 (Word)
- 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)
Did you know there are regional best kept village competitions across the United Kingdom?
Our thanks to our 2021 sponsors: Lancashire Association of Local Councils (LALC); Eaves Hall Hotel at West Radford; Lancashire Life, Lancashire Live and new sponsor Barton Grange Group. We are grateful too for the support of a number of Lancashire County Councillors.