Best Kept Village

Report for Nocton - 2012

You may be interested in the following report from Community Lincs:

"Class 11 - First Round Marking Sheet

Criteria A
Overall appearance and condition - Absence of litter, unauthorised/unsightly refuse, absence of graffiti/vandalism, condition of roads and paths

Assessors' comments
Pleasant and welcoming flower arrangements at the entrances to the village. Sufficient dog waste and regular litter bins. Roads and paths OK but some weeding required. Some graffiti to the front of the village hall and to the bus stop on Potterhanworth Road. No vandalism observed.
Score: 23/25

Criteria B
Green spaces - Provision for wildlife (such as bird boxes/feeders, bat boxes and wild flowers) and general appearance of: trees, ponds, streams, dykes, verges, parks, playing fields, nature area, hedges, children's play areas and public green amenities

Assessors' comments
Well maintained and tidy school sports field in the centre of the village but no other sporting facilities or children's play areas were found by the judges. Bird feeders were observed in the school grounds but the judges saw no other signs of specific provision for wildlife. verges and hedges generally neat and tidy although those opposite the village hall and along Potterhanworth Road need some attention. The beck was clear and free running but, for a short distance, is quite overgrown with weeds. The village green is very attractive and well maintained with a fascinating time plaque and sun dial.
Score: 18/20

Criteria C
Public premises - Community centre, community buildings, schools, road signs, noticeboards, advertisements, directional signs, bus stops, telephone boxes and allotments

Assessors' comments
Within the village there is an attractive school, a clean working telephone kiosk and plenty of clear and clean signage. There is a new noticeboard by The Green and there are also interesting information boards which guide visitors around the Nocton Village Trail/Children's Trail. However, the village hall is in need of a lot of TLC. Not the most inviting of buildings, its facade is spoilt by weeds, fungi, broken glass, a damaged bench, a weary noticeboard displaying out of date and untidy notices, and a fence in need of repair and painting. The unique panoramic noticeboard is spoilt by old sellotape and dirt.
Score: 16/20

Criteria D
Private premises - Gardens, hedges, fences and walls

Assessors' comments
In general the village is neat and tidy with some well cared for properties especially around The Green and the Parklands Estate. However, there are a few unkempt drives and borders scattered around the village.
Score: 14/15"

Overall score: 71/80

Some of this report makes for depressing reading... and it reminds me of what my teacher once wrote on my end of term report... 'Must do better'. That said, much of it is encouraging and gives us a good baseline to work from.

On reflection, I would have been quite content to have achieved an overall score of 88.75% in my school report.... yet Nocton didn't even get through to the second round of judging with this!

So where do we go from here?

This report should focus our attention on what needs improving for 2013. The intention is to enter the competition again, but perhaps we should have a more organised approach to get ready for the inspection this time around.

Watch out for more news on the Best Kept Village competition in the New Year.