Civic reception for Best Kept Vale Village winners -
24/11/06
Ystradowen's success in this year's Vale of Glamorgan Best Kept
Village competition has been recognised at a special civic
reception.
Hosted by Vale Mayor Cllr Nic Hodges, the reception was also
attended by representatives of runners-up Wenvoe and the winners of
the children's competition (aged six to 11) – St Bride's Major
Church in Wales Primary School. Cadoxton Nursery School were the
winners of the under five years section.
Established in 1953, the competition is currently sponsored by
Lafarge Cement (Aberthaw), who were represented by Allan Luxton,
the Vale Council and town and community councils.
At an earlier awards ceremony, High Sheriff of South Glamorgan
Lady Webb, who was this year’s chief judge, said it was difficult
to find fault with Ystradowen. "All the individual gardens were
beautifully kept and the lawns looked as though they had been
manicured," she said. "Not a weed or a piece of litter to be seen
anywhere."
The children’s section of the competition was judged by Barbara
Hodges, secretary of The Friends of Dyffryn Gardens Society, who
said it had been a "wonderful voyage of discovery" to witness the
dedication, enthusiasm and ingenuity of the various groups.
Cllr Hodges said: “The wonderful efforts across so many Vale
villages show that the main aim of the competition to create a
sense of community spirit and pride were once again fully
exemplified.”
“I would like to pay a big tribute to the many volunteers
throughout the area who take a great pride in their village and
co-ordinate such marvellous community efforts."
Competition chairman Basil Watkins thanked the two major
sponsors – Lafarge and the Vale Council – for their continued
excellent support.