SHERFIELD-on-Loddon has been crowned Hampshire and Isle of Wight Village of the Year, celebrating its community spirit. 

Judges from the Hampshire Association of Local Councils recognised the village had something for everyone and is home to numerous voluntary groups, which provides "a real sense of community" and "helps make it a really pleasant place to live".

Sherfield Parish Council clerk Karen Ross decided to enter the village into the competition as she wanted to ‘showcase the community spirit there is in the village’.

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She said: “As clerk to the parish council, I decided to enter the village into the competition as I wanted to showcase the community spirit there is in the village, highlighting the tremendous amount of work that goes on by members of the community to make Sherfield-on-Loddon a pleasant place to live.”

Judges said that the village boasts a good range of facilities for people including a very well stocked village shop and butchers, a golf course, a hairdressers, a garage, the village hall and the coffee shop as well as two pubs. 

They also highlighted volunteers who run and maintain the Allotment Association, the village green and the village hall. 

Parish council chairman Andy Morgan said: “This award reflects the hard work and community spirit that exists in the village with a variety of activities being enjoyed by all members of the community.”

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The village also came runner-up in the Best Outdoor Space in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight category.

The Gazette's community correspondent for Sherfield, Chris Horton added: "As a former parish councillor, I know how much hard work goes on to achieve such an accolade.

"The judges were particularly impressed with the allotments. As well as winning the overall title, Sherfield was runners-up in the Open Spaces category."

The Village of the Year competition is run annually by the Hampshire Association of Local Councils to support, encourage, and celebrate local communities and the efforts and contributions that are made within their area.