| Mr B
Griffiths Pennymarsh Little Ann Andover Hampshire SP11 7NR 3rd August 2002 Dear Mr Griffiths, |
This is the content of the letter sent to
the Chairman of Abbotts Ann Parish Council, Mr Bernard
Griffiths from Brian Challis, County Organiser for Community Action, Hampshire. |
Hampshire Village of the Year 2002 I have pleasure in informing you that your Village, Abbotts Ann, has been successful in winning the Information Technology Category of the Hampshire Village of the Year 2002 Competition. Congratulations. If you agree, Abbotts Ann will now go forward and represent Hampshire in the Information Technology Category in the Calor Village of the Year Competition for England and Wales.
The Judges, in awarding this certificate, stated that the Abbotts Ann web site 'is very comprehensive, with clear community involvement. A fantastic service, with lots of information for members of the community and visitors."
Your achievement reflects the amount of involvement, hard work, commitment and enthusiasm shown by the organisers and residents of Abbotts Ann.
You and/or a representative are invited to attend Community Action Hampshire's Annual General Meeting, at 10.0cm on Wednesday 25 September 2002 at Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney, when the Hampshire Village of the Year 2002 certificates will be presented.
Again, congratulations. With Kind Regards, Brian Challis County Organiser
Article published in the Andover Advertiser on 16th August 2002
written by Dick Bellringer
VILLAGERS in the Andover area are celebrating after clinching several top prIzes in the first Hampshire Village of the Year competition.
Although they missed out on the top spot, which went to Grayshott, Abbotts Ann won the Information Technology (IT) category and St Mary Bourne won the environment section. King's Somborne took the best presentation category while Overton was highly commended (for community and young people categories) as was Barton Stacey (IT).
Grayshott will represent Hampshire in the national competition along with Abbotts Ann, which will compete in the separate IT category. The next stage is regional judging, which takes place during the last two weeks of October with a final round of judging during November. The overall national champions will receive £8,000, with regional winners receiving £1,500 each. But all Hampshire winners have been invited to the annual meeting of Community Action Hampshire in the Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney on 25 September to receive their certificates. The competition was run by Community Action Hampshire and sponsored by Calor. And although the Village of the Year in England and Wales is in its sixth year, this is the first time that Hampshire has taken part.
The environment award went to St Mary Bourne for its 'active ongoing scheme, which included providing walks for the disabled, maps and guides, tree planting, lake restocking and maintenance'. Parish council chairman Alan Marsden said; "Coming close behind the overall winner, the category win for St Mary Bourne is an achievement that reflects the amount of involvement, hard work, commitment and enthusiasm shown by the organisers and residents of St Mary Bourne.
The council team presenting to the judges included Lorraine Cousins, Philip Winchcombe and Michael Widán, supported by Eve Lind-Smith and Ray Randell, The judges particularly praised Abbotts Ann for its website. They said: "It is very comprehensive, with clear community involvement. "It offers a fantastic service, with lots of information for members of the community and village visitors."
A total of 43 Hampshire villages entered the competition, which focuses on five main aspects of community life, from which a short list of 23 was drawn.