Staffordshire Best Kept Village and Community Awards mark platinum year – entries open
Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire, organisers of the Best Kept Village & Community Awards, are delighted to announce that the much loved community awards are celebrating their Platinum Anniversary in 2026. It will mark 70 years of recognising pride, care, and community spirit across towns, villages, and neighbourhoods throughout Staffordshire.
First established in 1956, the awards have grown to become one of the region’s most cherished traditions, shining a spotlight on the efforts of volunteers, residents, and local groups who work tirelessly to enhance the places they call home. As the awards enter their 70th year, the 2026 round promises to be the biggest and most celebratory to date.
Community groups, parish councils, village organisations, and residents’ associations are invited to submit entries for this year’s programme.
Categories are open to rural villages, hamlets, towns, and neighbourhoods with a strong sense of place that demonstrate:
Exceptional community participation
Creativity in local initiatives
Commitment to nature, environmental care, and sustainability
High standards of cleanliness and upkeep, led by volunteers
Winning entries will receive a cash prize, which can be reinvested into further strengthening community spirit and improving the quality of life for local residents.
There are also a number of supplemental awards which recognise different aspects of village and community life, including the Living Countryside categories run in partnership with CPRE Staffordshire, and — brand new for 2026 — an Under 25s Film Category in partnership with the Earth Stories Film Festival, aimed at young filmmakers who want to shine a light on sustainable thinking and the place they call home.
The awards are judged by a team of volunteers who each year dedicate their time and commitment to ensuring fair, thorough, and thoughtful assessments across all entries.
Joseph Smith, Head of Business Development and Philanthropy at the Community Foundation, said: “Although we want to retain the history of the competition, we also recognise that times have changed and communities needs too. The awards are not about just finding the most beautiful, old, or picturesque village anymore, and the winners are more varied and diverse than you might think.
Entries are now accepted from housing estates or wards within districts. The most successful communities are those that achieve the greatest involvement and community spirit from their residents.”
Leigh Willott, who manages the competition said ‘We are warmly inviting people to attend one of our online briefing sessions to learn more about the awards and how they can show us the fantastic things that take place in their community. We will be holding briefings on Tuesdays to spread the word and answer any questions people might have”.
Briefings are scheduled for March 17, April 7 and 28.
Chair of the Awards Committee, Terry Walsh, said: “Reaching our 70th anniversary is a remarkable achievement, and it stands as a testament to the enduring pride and dedication of our communities. Every year, we see incredible examples of teamwork, creativity, and resilience — and 2026 will be an especially meaningful celebration of everything these awards represent.”
Entries are open until April 30, with judging taking place over the summer months. The Platinum Anniversary Awards Ceremony is scheduled for autumn 2026.
Entry forms and full guidance are available at: bkvc.org.uk and deadline for entries is April 30. For more information, please contact bkvc@staffordshire.foundation or call 01785 339540.
