ONE of Wiltshire's best-kept rural villages with a population of just over 1,000 people is to receive a top award next Sunday, September 26.

Urchfont in the Vale of Pewsey will be given the 'Winner of Winners' award by the county's Lord Lieutenant Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton on behalf of Wiltshire’s Best Kept Village Competition.

The award will include, for the first time in the CPRE's history, the presentation of a tree as a long-lasting reminder of the village’s success and its contribution towards conservation and environmental sustainability.

The tree will be presented to the village by CPRE Wiltshire’s new Countryside Ambassador, Brit Award nominee soprano Carly Paoli.

Anne Henshaw, chair of CPRE Wiltshire said: "This is an opportunity to celebrate the very best of the county which has at its heart these wonderful villages whose community spirit has shone through.

"The judges found inspiration in all the villages who entered, from beautifully kept flower beds to dedicated conservation projects and communities who pulled together during the pandemic to help their neighbours.

"This year we are also particularly excited to be presenting our first tree which we are calling a celebration tree – a Rowan or mountain ash - for one of the categories, as a long term reminder of their successes.

"We have chosen a tree whose berries, leaves and flowers are a source of food for insects and birds and pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinating insects."

The awards ceremony presentations will take place at Urchfont Village Hall and begin with Mrs Henshaw welcoming guests.

Mrs Troughton, President CPRE

Wiltshire and Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire will unveil a standard and shield, followed by The Laurence Kitching Award being presented by Owen Pryce, commercial director of award sponsors Princeton Homes, to Bob Lunn, the Urchfont Parish Council clerk.

Sir Charles Hobhouse, High Sheriff of Wiltshire, will then present a framed certificate to Cllr Mark Botham, chairman of Urchfont Parish Council.

Miss Paoli will present the tree, which has been sponsored by Vitality Day Spa of Bradford on Avon.

Afterwards, Cllr Botham will give a thank you speech before the presentation group departs at 12 noon.

The other best-kept village winners are Ramsbury (Large), Tilshead (Medium) and Castle Eaton (Small).