Village is a shining example (From Gazette & Herald)

Village is a shining example

LOCALS may have known what makes Sheriff Hutton so special for some time - but the rest of the country is now waking up to its charms.

The village, which won the community life category in the village of the year competition in 2000 and has just sent off its bid for this year, has been picked out by the sponsor of the contest, Calor Gas, as an outstanding example of a village community.

As a result, Calor Gas has commissioned an in-depth study of Sheriff Hutton so that other communities can learn from the village's successes.

A spokesperson for Calor Gas said: "Projects such as a winter monitoring service to ensure the well-being of its elderly residents and a whole host of activities for both young and old help Sheriff Hutton to epitomise the well-balanced community that the competition judges look for."

The judges themselves were even more enthusiastic, saying: "The whole ethos of Sheriff Hutton is one of care, courtesy, friendship and support. A strong spirit has prevailed to give a rich community life and one which will ensure its long-term future."

Ryedale District Councillor Alan Farnaby is also the parish clerk for Sheriff Hutton and is delighted that the village is receiving such recognition. He said: "I think it is very, very good. I am very pleased that Sheriff Hutton is being recognised like this.

"Communities don't just happen. They have to be worked at, and Sheriff has worked very hard. There's a lot of people who do a lot of work for the community. It isn't just one or two. It's that work in the background - that people don't see - that keeps it going."

Brian Parkinson, who was heavily involved with the bid for village of the year in 2000, was equally delighted - and picked out one reason why the village is so vibrant.

He said: "It's the community spirit. That the great thing. It's the parish council that leads it in lots of ways, but it's the community spirit that really does it. There's just over 50 organisations in the village - from WI to youth groups - and they've all gone on for years and years."

The case study, which is now available and will be on the village of the year website at www.villageoftheyear.org shortly, also praises the village's community spirit.

The report also says: "The care and enthusiasm lavished on the village and its facilities by the residents has its roots in hundreds of years of community life. To young and old alike, religious or otherwise, sporting or sedate, Sheriff Hutton extends its welcome."

Such activities as the weekly luncheon club, the village newsletter and the Millennium map were also picked out for praise. Sheriff Hutton isn't just resting on its laurels. Work is just starting on creating a village appraisal - an assessment of what the village presently provides and what it needs - and Mr Farnaby is keen to enlist helpers.

He said: "We are just working towards a village appraisal. We are trying to see how the village, the community, wants itself to develop over the next three years."

The appraisal will include aspects such as transport, housing and the community life. Anyone wanting to get involved with developing the appraisal should contact Mr Farnaby on (01347) 878324.

Updated: 09:37 Thursday, April 11, 2002