Country Life: Village Church for Village Life' Award
Following an extremely successful campaign in 2008, Country Life magazine is supporting a second competition - the Village Church for Village Life Award 2009 - worth £10,000.
The award seeks to discover the finest example of a historic, rural parish church that has successfully engaged the wider community to create a focus for village life in the 21st century.
Those who nominate churches will be asked to demonstrate that the whole community - worshipers and non-worshippers alike - has played an active role in the relevant project. In addition, this year the award is being expanded to include projects that make use of ‘God's own acre' (the churchyard), and to recognise those that have attempted to make their churches environmentally sustainable.
The 2008 competition received an unprecedented response. Nominations came in from across England with 30 of the Church of England's 43 diocese represented. The quality of the entries was high and provided a startling insight into the level and diversity of projects being undertaken by communities across the country.
The Mercers' Company have generously agreed to support the award for another year, donating prizes of £10,000 for the winner, and £5,000 for the runner-up. Entrants from last year are encouraged to take part in this year's competition.
An article by Sir Roy Strong, together with an entry form and the full criteria for nominations, will be published in the 17th December issue of Country Life to launch the award. An online version of the article and entry form, together with details of last year's award, will be available at www.countrylife.co.uk/villagechurch
