Village Of The Year

A NATIONWIDE EVENT TO FIND BRITAIN’S BEST VILLAGE

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

That's all on #villageoftheyear folks! A huge thank you to our 76 villages,as well as Penelope Keith and our wonderful judges @AlexJLanglands @JulietSargeant and @paddygrant for taking part. You can catch up@ https://t.co/qMSlHP04AH

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Penelope has the envelope – make sure this isn’t an Oscar moment – who is the winner? #villageoftheyear. It’s a nail bitting moment. Drum roll please…..

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Judging time – its not going to be easy. Penelope Keith gathers together her team of judges @paddygrant, @JulietSargeant @AlexJLanglands for their final deliberations.

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Today all four villagers have gathered together to find out who will be crowned #villageoftheyear and win £10,000.

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

So what did historical Bamburgh decide for their challenge – a fete with a World War theme including a Trench cake competition – a war time fruit cake made without eggs sounds interesting! At least for @JulietSargeant the “Bamburgh Banger” sausages look tasty #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

So which of our judges can lift a Bamburgh cannonball? Well of course our competitive action man @paddygrant #nextJamesBond #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Bamburgh celebrates its own story, from local boat building in memory of heroine Grace Darling, to keeping up ancient bylaws with driving sheep through the village. #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

@AlexJLanglands Couldn't agree more -even if not in a village #ecofriendly for the future

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Finally the dramatic coastal village Bamburgh, winners of the Northern Zone. The smallest village in the final, with a 7 mile beach, pretty stone cottages all overlooked by one of the most spectacular castle in the country. #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

So to their finale challenge – a sports day to showcase all the sports in the village! The whole village and their dogs have come together. Some unusual events – egg catching, dogs and their owner look-a-like competition and of course cake to round off the day #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Toss the Bunny?!! Our judge @paddygrant loves to win – he’s so competitive – is there no game he can’t win! Well done a winning carrot! #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

They’re a creative bunch too with their bi-ennial arts festival. Other things that stood out to the judges was the community shop, the quirky adopt a grave scheme, and the rainforest with Cinnamon the sloth! #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Hampstead Norreys in Royal Berkshire, a stunning setting on the banks of the River Pang with a twelfth century church, an Edwardian well and over 30 listed buildings. #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Next up our winner from the South East Zone, the ancient, vibrant and pretty Hampstead Norreys #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Did you know Broughshane is home to the largest fiddling school in Ireland? Such a talented bunch! #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Broughshane’s grand finale challenge is a volunteers’ parade with judge @paddygrant joining in – 900 volunteers have turned up to strut their stuff and showcase the variety of clubs including those flower planting 3 Bettys! #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Two thirds of the population are signed up volunteers. Those Three Bettys sum up the volunteering community spirit of Broughshane so perfectly. #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Our second finalist is the winner from the Central Zone, the exquisite and stunning agriculture community of Broughshane. A blooming beauty with award-winning streets ablaze with colourful flowers and villagers who volunteer to keep the place beautiful. #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Beer’s event is a beach clean – a litter pick on the beach followed by a large party - Paella with that fresh lobster and of course singing that song again! #villageoftheyear

[Village Of The Year @VillageOTYear]

Beer is all about the land and sea. Judge @AlexJLanglands has been invited to catch lobsters for a beach party – he catches a Nelson – a one legged lobster! #villageoftheyear