Last call for entries to Ryedale Rural Awards (From Gazette & Herald)

Last call for entries to Ryedale Rural Awards

3:03pm Thursday 8th September 2011 in Ryedale Rural community Awards 2011

Calling all voluntary and community groups – it is time to get your entries in for the Ryedale Rural Awards.

Time is running out for voluntary and community groups in Ryedale to get their entries in for the Rural Awards scheme, with less than a week to go until judging takes place.

Organisers have been busy promoting the awards throughout Ryedale, and rural network officer, Maggie Farey, has been dashing round the countryside spreading the word.

Organisers have received some fantastic applications so far, and if they are anything to go by, then judging the awards certainly won’t be an easy task and the judges could well be deliberating for some time.

The judging panel includes representatives from Ryedale Voluntary Action, Rural Action Yorkshire, Rural Voice, the Gazette & Herald, Coast and Moors LEADER programme and the Howardian Hills AONB who have all spent many years working with rural communities and will be able to bring their knowledge and experience to the judging process.

One of the aims of the awards is to highlight the work of voluntary and community groups in Ryedale who work incredibly hard to support people living in rural areas.

Many people will be unaware of the time and dedication that is required to run a village hall, for example, or the amount of drive and enthusiasm needed to set up and run a successful youth group, and these awards will give these groups the opportunity to not only win £250 for their organisation, but also be recognised for their tremendous efforts in helping to build stronger, happier and more sustainable rural communities.

The categories

Village Hall of the Year, sponsored by Rural Action Yorkshire How does your hall benefit the local community? Do you hold regular events, training or provide vital services? Have you found a unique way to fund your hall? What makes your hall special/unique?

Rural Community Group of the Year, sponsored by Rural Voice How do you make a difference to the lives of those in rural areas? Have you provided a service or done something to address a need in your community?

Rural Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by the Gazette & Herald This award is about encouraging rural groups and communities to nominate someone who they feel has played a vital role in their community through volunteering their time and energy to a particular project, cause or the community in general.

Rural Youth Group of the Year, sponsored by McClarrons Insurance Ltd How has your group improved the lives of young people in rural areas? Are young people actively involved in the group?

Community Project of the Year under £10,000, sponsored by Johnsons Accountants Ltd; and Community Project of the Year over £10,000, sponsored by HPE Print Whether the project costs £100 or £50,000, judges are looking for projects that provide real value for money in rural areas and can demonstrate how they have met a need in the community. It is amazing what some groups have been able to achieve with just a few hundred pounds that has had a lasting benefit on their community.

Finalists will be announced at the end of this month and will be featured in the Gazette prior to the awards evening, which will take place at Terrington Village Hall on Friday, October 21. The evening will be sponsored by the Howardian Hills AONB.

The official closing date for entries was Monday; however, due to August having been a busy month for holidays, we will accept entries until Friday. So to ensure that your group doesn’t miss out, make sure that you get your application in as soon as possible. For more information, got to the Ryedale Voluntary Action website – www.ryedaleva.org.uk or phone Maggie Farey or Sarah Lally-Marley on 01653 600120.