Hudswell Village - Yorkshire Village Of The Year 2019

Hudswell village has been announced as the Yorkshire Village of the Year 2019.

The shortlist of entries included Addingham, Boston Spa, Brompton by Sawdon, Clapham, Draughton, Grosmont, Hudswell, Ingleton, Keld, Langcliffe, Litton, Roberttown, Skelton on Ure, West Witton and Grassington.

Clapham was the judges’ runner-up, with Skelton on Ure and Brompton by Sawdon highly commended.

Entries were sought from rural villages across the county for the competition, launched by The Dalesman magazine, in association with Skipton Building Society. The aim of the competition is to celebrate rural Yorkshire and support, encourage and promote the county’s rural communities.

This year’s panel of judges were Emmerdale star Claire King, Yorkshire Shepherdess and author Amanda Owen, ITV weatherman Jon Mitchell, the Yorkshire Vet Julian Norton, poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan, Jacqui Bateson of Skipton Building Society, and Adrian Braddy, outgoing editor of The Dalesman.

Claire King said:
“Hudswell was a winner for me as not claiming to be a picture postcard village, but the sense of community spirit really shines through, from their award-winning, re-opened community-run pub, to various classes and a charity that serves everyone in the village! Bravo to all and keep up the fantastic work.”

Jon Mitchell said:
“It’s people that shape the character of a village and it is clear that the residents of Hudswell are all pulling in the same direction to make the community thrive. Villages can so easily stagnate when the pub and shops close and the villagers of Hudswell are clearly determined this must not happen. They seem to be investing in the future and wanting to make it a great place to live and enjoy.”

Jacqui Bateson, Senior Sustainability & Customer Empathy Manager at Skipton Building Society, said:
“We are delighted to support the Yorkshire Village of the Year. Our rural heritage is under threat and it is great to see village communities coming together to keep rural life alive and vibrant. Hudswell stood out as they have a good long track record of community focus and have innovated in order to succeed. They are forward looking, considering the longevity of the village and investing to create future income. Their focus on providing affordable housing to help people to stay in the village is impressive.”

Head of the judging panel Adrian Braddy said:
“The reason we launched this competition was to highlight some of the fantastic work being done by the people of Yorkshire’s rural communities. The entries we received demonstrated the vitality, creativity and passion of our villages and Hudswell stood out for the determination of its residents to ensure it remains a vibrant place to live and work."

A cheque for £1,000 and a certificate was presented to Martin Booth and the residents of Hudswell, by Shepherdess Amanda Owen, Jacqui Bateson of Skipton Building Society, Jon Stokoe, editor of The Dalesman, and Kate Dring, Dalesman Business Development Manager.