First Prize (joint) for Best Newcomer in the Wiltshire Best Kept Village Competition 2025
Judges verdict: Swallowcliffe is a small village with a big heart. For a small community there is so much on offer, congratulations. Communication is excellent with a welcome pack for newcomers, (one family were moving in on our visit so will no doubt benefit from this) together with all the information on the newsletter, WhatsApp group, website both village and Parish Council and many other ways of keeping in touch. The three noticeboards were up to date to aid those without technology.
There are a great selection of activities during the year using the pub, village hall and private gardens too to encourage and include all the parishioners, well done.
This is much to recommend the many projects and aims of the village. The conservation areas are well managed including the graveyards and were neat and tidy on our visit. The footpaths are all well marked out and seem to be well used and the wildlife corridor with the village stream is most attractive, and good to read that the stream is regularly cleared to keep the water flowing. Although this runs through many private gardens the villagers can benefit from the areas open to the public.
All the gardens, verges and roadsides were well kept, and litter free and the map and information provided for the judges were most helpful and all the places of interest well marked and easy to follow. We loved the book swap in the old phone box!
This year, the Parish Council have entered Swallowcliffe in the "Best Kept Village" Competition run by Wiltshire Council.
Judges will visit at some point in May/June (we won't know when) to make their assessment. We may be selected to go through to the next round which means there will be another visit in July. The emphasis is not just on how 'well kept' the village is, it is also about conservation and community spirit.
This will include looking at our village website.
We all know what a special place Swallowcliffe is, and this is an opportunity to celebrate that. Regardless of the outcome of the competition, we can justifiably feel very proud of the effort which goes into creating such a special community.
Thank you to everybody for all that you do!