VILLAGES in the area have triumphed in a contest to determine the best kept villages in Wiltshire.

Ashton Keynes, Hankerton and Upper and Lower Seagry were all winners in this year’s Campaign to Protect Rural England Wiltshire Best Kept Village Competition, sponsored by grounds maintenance and landscape-creation services company idverde.

Ashton Keynes was judged to be the Best Kept Large Village, while Hankerton was judged as the Best Kept Small Village.

Upper Seagry and Lower Seagry, meanwhile, were collectively judged to be the Best Kept Medium Village.

Rather than looking for the most picturesque villages, the contest sought to find the villages that were best cared-for.

Villages had first been judged in May and June within each of the four former districts of Wiltshire, as well as in each of the three size categories.

These were Large (1,000 to 3,500 in population), Medium (300 to 1,000 in population) and Small (population under 300).

In the second round in July, the winners in the first round were judged against each other to determine the three best kept villages in Wiltshire for 2024.

Prizes of £100 were won by the winners in each size category, as well as standards and plaques.

The judges for Ashton Keynes admired the busy village hall and shop and the many village activities.

They also commented favourably on aspects including the pub, the gardens and the converted telephone box, as well as the spirit in the village.

As regards Hankerton, the judges commented on the village’s “clean, well-kept appearance with an absence of litter”. Highlights included smart verges with flowers, well-presented private gardens, the churchyard and the footpaths.

Regarding Upper and Lower Seagry, the judges remarked on the “excellent community spirit” which was “evident from the team of volunteers working outside Goss Croft Hall on the day we visited”.

They saw no litter anywhere and commented on aspects including the children’s play equipment, the parish magazine, the Spitfire memorial and its surrounds and efforts dedicated to biodiversity.

Presentation events for the competition took place in each winning location on Sunday, September 22.

Standards for Ashton Keynes, Hankerton and Upper and Lower Seagry were unveiled by Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton.

The competition’s Laurence Kitching Award for the Winner of Winners was won by the village of Urchfont near Devizes.