Biggest ever jackpot prize for Scotland’s next Calor Village of the Year
The race is on to find this year’s Scottish Calor Village of the Year, as the Scottish competition launches today, Monday, 16 March, 2009. The annual competition, boosted by its biggest ever jackpot prize of £9,000, is on the look out for Scotland’s best rural community with a population of 5000 or under, eager to receive the accolade from last year’s winner, the Isle of Barra.
Organised by Calor Scotland, with support from the Association of Scottish Community Councils (ASCC) and Rural Gateway, the awards are designed to allow Scotland’s rural communities to promote their success and achievements, share best community practice and demonstrate initiatives towards sustainability. Communities will be judged on four categories this year; people, business, sustainability and communication.
“These awards are all about encouraging communities to look at their own sustainability,” says Calor’s MD, Stephen Rennie. “This isn’t about how beautiful your community is – we’re looking for real people, real community spirit and proven development towards current and future community sustainability. The emphasis is on encouraging communities to work together to create a better place to live for everyone - and many find simply taking part is just as rewarding as winning.”
“With four regional awards (North, South, Central and Islands), and one national award in Scotland, we hope to inspire communities by highlighting best practice and celebrating the successes around the country,” adds Stephen.
With the high standard of entries in last year’s competition, organisers are hoping previous entrants will be joined by newcomers to compete for the prestigious 2009 title. This year’s prize money will receive a boost from Calor, awarding £2000 to each regional winner and £7000 to the overall winner for community investment – the biggest prize fund ever awarded in the Scottish competition. Celebrations in the community will be encouraged by Calor.
“Calor has been a part of Scottish rural life for nearly 75 years, providing gas for heating, hot water, cooking, industrial and leisure activities and we believe in playing an active role in the communities we serve”, continues Stephen. “Scotland’s rural communities have a wealth of diversity and the work done to sustain and develop them often goes unrecognised.”
The four award categories have been carefully chosen to reflect important aspects of community life:
- People category: how different generations and other groups within the population work together to help each other, provide sustainable facilities and activities to nourish and maintain the community.
- Sustainability category: what communities are doing to protect and improve the local and global environment, and any conservation activities being undertaken to ensure sustainability and self-sufficiency.
- Business category: how local businesses and the population interact to support one another and the community.
- Communication category: what is done to promote inclusion, ensuring that people know what is happening in the community and how to participate.
Entry to the awards can be made by representatives of any not-for-profit local community body, including community councils, community associations, village hall committees and local networks, partnerships or forums, which represent their local communities. Entry to the competition is by completion of an online questionnaire and submission of up to 500 words explaining ‘What makes your rural community a special place?’
People interested in entering their community for the awards can register online by visiting the competition website at www.calorvoy.org.uk. The closing date for entries is May 15, 2009, at 12 noon. Judging will take place during the summer, with the winner due to be announced in August.
March 16, 2009
ends
Notes to Editors:
- For further information on Calor and its sustainability commitment please visit: www.calor.co.uk
- For more information about the Scottish Calor Village of the Year competition contact Lynsey Shepherd on 01224 217345 or email lshepherd@avcmedia.com
- ENTER NOW: visit www.calorvoy.org.uk for more information and online entry.
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Scottish Calor Village of the Year®
The Scottish Calor Village of the Year® competition is open to rural communities throughout Scotland with a population of 5,000 or under. Entry is open to all community bodies if they are in line with the following criteria:
- A ‘not-for-profit’ local organisation or trust set up to improve the social, economic or environmental health of the local community
- A strong emphasis on the involvement of local individuals or groups active within the community
- Partnerships, networks or forums acting within a localised community
Calor, the leading supplier of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) to those living and working in the countryside, has supported rural activities throughout the UK for 22 years through its Rural Sponsorship programme, which includes the Scottish Calor Village of the Year® competition. Please note that Calor Village of the Year® is a registered trademark and should be referred to in full in all circumstances.
PLEASE NOTE: The winner of the Scottish Calor Village of the Year 2008 is not permitted to enter until 2012.
ASCC
The Association of Scottish Community Councils (ASCC) is a national membership organisation, which was formed in 1993 as a representative association for Scotland’s community councils. It has worked with Calor on rural sponsorship programmes since 1998.
The objectives of the association are to:
Actively promote the role, effectiveness and status of community councils in Scotland.
Establish, co-ordinate and express the views of member community councils.
Provide a forum for the exchange of information between community councils.
The association’s aim is to assist and support community councils and to help them represent their communities effectively, based on information and shared experience.
Further information can be found at www.ascc.org.uk
Rural Gateway
The Rural Community Gateway website shares news, views and information across Scotland’s rural communities. It is a Scottish Government initiative, designed and developed by online community specialists Sift, with content and editorial services provided by the Rural Communities Team at SCVO. The website can be found at www.ruralgateway.org.uk.
For further information:
Lynsey Shepherd
AVC PR Partnership
Tel 01224 248007
DD 01224 217345
lshepherd@avcmedia.com
Neil Robertson
AVC PR Partnership
Tel 01224 248007
DD 01224 216068
nrobertson@avcmedia.com
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE SCOTTISH CALOR VILLAGE OF THE YEAR BY AVC PR PARTNERSHIP LTD