Councillor Peter Burns addresses the meeting

Over 60 people came along to the Reading Room on Friday 29th November 2002 to celebrate having won the Calor Gas Northamptonshire Village Of The Year competition for 2002.

Peter Burns, chairman of Helmdon Parish Council, said that the award belonged to the entire village since it was down to the efforts of every single resident that Helmdon had been given top spot. Peter said "It's those that pick up litter around the village - and those that don't drop it in the first place. It's all the village organisations - from Acorns to Women's Club - that makes Helmdon such a good place to live in".

Peter also urged everyone to continue their efforts in the coming months because Helmdon will now go through to the regional stages of the competition as the representative for Northamptonshire.

This village meeting was a double celebration since it was also the official reopening of the Reading Room after the completion of the Summer building works. The toilets and kitchens have been substantially improved, and the hall now has full and proper disabled access. Mr. Bill England, the chairman of the Reading Room management committee, paid tribute to all those that had raised funds for the improvements, in particular Lyndsey Glassett who raised over £1,000, and Richard Bearman whose tenacity led to a successful grant application to the local council.

The Reading Room is used by many of the village groups and organisations for their various meetings and is the focal point of village life in Helmdon.

Below are some photos taken on the night....

Refreshments were laid on for visitors

Ren & Frances Gittens chat to Sue Lidgley

It was a great opportunity for everyone to get together

Derek & Joan Morris, with Richard Foster centre.

Colin & Mary Nash sharing a good time with Ann Smith (left).

Some of Helmdon's Elders celebrate the latest award.