Announced on 13th July Hempstead is the Class 4 winner of the BEST KEPT VILLAGE for 2005 The prize includes the Ruggles Brise trophy, a certificate and a cheque for £150. A large sign has been placed in the village by the bus stop. Not only that, but Hempstead has also won 3rd place in the Essex Village of the Year competition and DEFRA Building Community Life Award. This win includes two certificates and a cheque for £100. Well done to everyone involved in the various presentations, meetings and work involved in entering these prestigious competitions. Well done to the village of Hempstead. This is a great achievement for our small community. Rural Community Council of Essex Competition Results 2005 ESSEX VILLAGE OF THE YEAR 2005 Sponsored by Calor Winner: Earls Colne 2nd Prize: Great Waltham 3rd Prize: Hempstead Earls Colne, Great Waltham and Hempstead also receive 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize respectively in the 2005 DEFRA ‘Building Community Life’ Awards for Essex. BEST KEPT VILLAGE 2005 Sponsored by Calor Class 1 Winner: Great Dunmow Runner Up: Coggleshall Class 2 Winner: Earls Colne Runner Up: Blackmore Class 3 Winner: Little Baddow Runner Up: Langham Class 4 Winner: Hempstead Runner Up: Aldham Class 5 Winner: Messing Runner Up: Foulness Island Best New Entries Great Dunmow, Stondon Massey Merit Awards: Writtle, Ingatestone, Theydon Bois, Doddinghurst Rayne, Debden, Great Waltham, Feering, Ashdon, Wickham St. Paul, Great Maplestead, Pleshey.