Kilskeery Wins Inaugural Calor Rural Community Award

14 October 2010

The small village of Kilskeery, outside Trillick, Co. Tyrone has been named as the Calor Rural Community Award winner, at a glittering awards ceremony which also seen Broughshane named as the Calor Village of the Year 2010.

Kilskeery beat off stiff competition from six other entrants across Northern Ireland to win the title and a cash prize of £1,000.

The Rural Community Award, which is new to the competition this year, recognises and acknowledges the contribution made by villages and rural communities with a population of 1,000 or less, entering against a minimum of 2 competition categories.

Broughshane was named the overall 2010 Calor Village of the Year®, with Ballintoy receiving a High Commendation. 9 communities were considered for this title.

The competition, which is run in conjunction with the Rural Development Council (RDC), celebrates vibrant, enterprising and caring rural communities and the vital role they play in local life.

It is open to all rural communities with a population of less than 4,500 and judged against five categories – building community life, business, young people, environment and older people.

The winners of the category accolades and £1,000 cash prizes were: Dromboughil (Older People), Portaferry (Young People), Kesh (Business), Cloughmills (Environment) and Ballintoy (Building Community Life).

Michael Kossack, Chief Executive of Calor Gas, said: “Kilskeery overwhelmed the judges with its approach to supporting all members of the community and its outstandingly warm community spirit.

“They were particularly impressed with the wide range of voluntary organisations within such a small village, all of which encourage residents, young and old, to play an active role in their community’s future.”

Martin Mc Donald, Chief Executive, Rural Development Council said this year’s competition had been a tremendous success.

“Every entrant demonstrated community spirit and commitment, along with a real sense of pride, giving us a genuine appreciation for what it is like to live there,” he said.

“There could be only one overall winner, but we congratulate everyone for their hard work and dedication which, once again, demonstrates how vibrant a role our many villages play in Northern Ireland community life.”

For more information on the 2010 Calor Village of the Year® competition visit www.calorvillageoftheyear.org/northern-ireland or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalorVillageoftheYear.