Results for 2024 Staffordshire Best Kept Village & Community Competiton

Winners announced at glittering presentation evening

RICHARD Winterton has awarded the winners of this year's Staffordshire Best Kept Village & Community Competition.

The presentation evening for the 2024 event took place at Acton Trussell Moat House on October 23, with attendees from villages across the county.

Organised and run by The Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire, the annual event has been sponsored by Richard Winterton Auctioneers for five years.

The competition is dedicated to recognising and celebrating the unique charm and spirit of communities.

It was founded in Staffordshire in 1956 and has grown to become a highlight in the county's calendar, fostering a sense of pride and unity among its diverse communities.

The 2024 awards evening was hosted by Rob McKeon from BBC TV's Parole and headline sponsor Richard Winterton.

Amongst the categories in contention were Best Large Village in the south of Staffordshire, which was won by Wheaton Aston, enetering for the first time since the early 2000s.

Alongside a certificate, trophy and plaque, Wheaton Aston won a cash prize to spend on something to improve the community.

Wheaton Aston Councillor Jeff Ford said: “This is a great shock and 
honour given we’ve not entered the competition for over 20 years.

"We decided to enter again following a small meeting and we were unsure whether we would gain enough interest in the village, but people were really engaged and came out to help.

It was a great way to bring everyone together.”

Wheaton Aston also took home the Community Spirit Award, which is prestened to the village or community that has gone above and beyond what is expected and has achieved an exemplary result in the competition.

Winner of the Best Small Village category in the south of Staffordshire was Kings Bromley, which also scooped the top position as overall county winner.

Allan Howard and Councillor Colin Davies, who represented Kings Bromley at the presentation, said: “We are overwhelmed and delighted to return to success after a break.

"Our local community works incredibly hard to support one another and our village and this is recognition of all of their dedication.”

Perton won the CPRE Environmental Award and Best Large Village in the north of the county was won by Haregate.

Ipstones was named Best Small Village in the north with Warslow the category runner-up.

Also mentioned in the south of the county were Gnosall (highly commended for Best Large Village), Hill Ridware (highly commended for Best Small Village) and Trysull & Seisdon (runner-up for Best Small Village).

Headline sponsor Richard Winterton said: “What a brilliant competition and a superb ceremony.

"To see everyone celebrating what makes their community special was fantastic and it's great to see everyone's commitment on show.”

Steve Adams, chief executive at the community foundation, added: "When we took over this competition in 2018 we wanted to expand it and make it bigger and better.

"We wanted to encourage communities to apply even if they didn’t represent a traditional ‘chocolate box’ type village.

"Covid delayed those plans but it's great to see more urban communities celebrating and making the most of where they live."

Paula Craven, projects manager at the community foundation, oversees the competition.

She said: “The calibre of entries was fantastically high this year.

"My attention has already turned to 2025 and getting ready for the next competition.

"I’d encourage any village or community to enter. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate life within their community and to show others what a fantastic community they come from.

"Over the next few months I’ll be sharing more information about how people can get involved."

Pictured top of page: Allan Howard and Councillor Colin Davies from Kings Bromley receive their BKVC 2024 award from headline sponsor Richard Winterton.