Bledisloe Cup - Competition Winners since 1990

Started in 1937, The Bledisloe Cup best kept village competition celebrates the success of village communities in Gloucestershire in caring for their local environment. It's a competition for all villages large and small, and all villages have an equal chance of success - there are no extra marks for beauty whether in architecture or location.

The Bledisloe Cup competition judges look for villages that demonstrate pride and care. This means involving local people in protecting and enhancing their environment - for example by encouraging wild life; by keeping paths, open spaces and roads tidy and free from litter; by running a composting or recycling scheme; or by undertaking a project to celebrate and record village heritage.

Parishes and community groups can enter. There are four categories of best kept village competition - large, medium and small villages and a separate category for villages which have not entered the Bledisloe Cup competition in the last 10 years.

The first three categories of winning villages receive a special trophy and the Bledisloe Cup best kept village sign which they retain for a year. The separate category is awarded the C & G Cup. All winners receive a plaque and a cheque for £250. Plaques are also awarded to the runners up in each category. There is also a Plate competition for the best of the previous year's Bledisloe Cup best kept village winners.

For further details, contact the Bledisloe Cup organiser, Margaret Boakes in the Campaign to Protect Rural England office Tel No: 01452 309783 or Email: info@cpreglos.fsnet.co.uk