LIFE in the moorland village of Glaisdale is near-idyllic - that's the view of the judges in the Village of the Year Award who have named it the winner in the regional category, granting it a place in the national final.

There are 530 residents in the remote, picturesque village, perched 1,400 feet up on the moors surrounded by prehistoric burial sites and set on a craggy-hillside.

"It's not just neat and tidy but it's a caring village," says Peter Horne who master-minded the entry with a team of other villagers to win the competition run by the Yorkshire Rural Community Council and Calor Gas.

While it earned 45pc of its marks for keeping its verges trim, the footpaths litter-free, and giving an overall smart look, the other 55pc was earned for its amenities and the quality of life provided for the folk who live there, said Mr Horne.

One of them, Sylvia Britton, scooped the Mayor of Scarborough's community award for running a senior citizens luncheon club, while Jane Wilkinson set up a youth club for children aged 8-13. The club, now 35 strong, meets at the Robinson Institute to take part in such games as pool and table tennis.

Parish council chairman John Thompson set up a junior cricket team 20 years and it's still going strong, providing the senior team with a regular flow of up-and-coming new players. "We have a very enthusiastic Women's Institute which has just had a public loo opened at the initiative of its members, after Scarborough council closed others in the Esk Valley," said Mr Tompson. They spear-headed a campaign and won grant cash to provide the village's many motoring tourists and moorland walkers with a much-needed facility.

"A lot of people come to Glaisdale to see our very old Beggar's Bridge which is very old and famous," said Mr Thompson. The bridge, a listed building, was built about 1620, according to local legend, after a young farmworker, Tom Ferris, fell in love with the squire's daughter, Agnes Richardson. But every time he went courting, he had to wade or swim across the River Esk.

Agnes's father derided him as being too poor for his daughter to marry, so he went away to make good as a seaman. He distinguished himself against the Spanish Armada and returned to Glaisdale and claimed his bride. Tom prospered and eventually became Lord Mayor of Hull. But remembering his native village - and the squire's taunt - he paid for the building of the bridge!

Today, the local drama group is named after the landmark - the Beggar's Bridge Players - and they regularly stage plays in the village institute. "Ours is a village which cares and caterers for all ages," said Mr Thompson. It has a rota of volunteer hospital drivers. It has a thriving judo club which attracts youngsters from as far as Kirkbymoorside, a dancing school, play school, short-mat bowling, and a group known as Dales Folk which meets every fortnight providing a social focal point with a wide range of speakers.

"There is a lot to do in Glaisdale," said parish councillor David Flintoft. "We provide much of our own entertainment because we are fairly remote and everyone works hard to support the village activities."

It also boasts a primary school which with 38 pupils is as strong as it has been for years, and there are also two Methodist chapels as well as a picture-postcard parish church. Evenings can be whiled away in one of the three pubs: the Mitre Tavern, which was recently saved from closure and conversion into a couple of houses after a campaign by regulars; the Arncliffe Arms, and the third, which baffles visitors because it has two names.

On one one side it's known as The Anglers Rest while on the other end of the building it's 'The Moon and Sixpence'. Sadly, moves are currently being made to sell it and convert it into a house, say the residents.

"We are very much a working village," says Mr Horne. Testimony to that is its proliferation of businesses - two garages, two builders, three joiners, an electrician, a butcher, a well-stocked general store and post office which has banking facilities. It also has two funeral directors!

While Glaisdale doesn't have a doctor, it is well served by a practice at Egton and medical prescriptions are delivered to the local shop. Fund-raising is a key element of village life. When residents opened their gardens this summer, £4,700 was realised which went to St Catherine's Hospice appeal, Abbeyfield Housing Society, the cricket club, improvements to the children's playground, and to the local churches.

"We have a splendid mix of residents - some are retired, others are young families who live and work in the national park, others are commuters to York and Ryedale, and we even have a Concorde pilot," said Mr Horne. "We are really proud to have won this award and we are now going all out to become the National Village of the Year!"

Runner-up in the competition was Wombleton which has been praised by judges for its number of organisations and smart appearance. It, like Glaisdale, is due to receive its award on October 12.

Updated: 09:43 Wednesday, September 04, 2002