A Staffordshire awards scheme which has been celebrating the county’s villages and communities for 70 years has recognised its latest winners at a special anniversary ceremony.

The Best Kept Village and Community Awards, run by the Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire, were launched in 1956 and continue to recognise the people and communities helping to make Staffordshire a great place to live.

The 2026 overall winner was Gnosall, which also won Best Large Village (South), while Endon was named Best Large Village (North), Grindon won Best Small Village (North) and Drayton Bassett was named Best Small Village (South).

Almost 20 volunteer judges – some of whom have been involved for more than 50 years – visit the entrants to assess their maintenance and community spirit. Appearance accounts for 30 per cent of the marks, while 70 per cent is based on evidence of inclusivity, year-round events, clubs and community cohesion.

Gnosall scored 98 per cent for both appearance and community spirit, with judges highlighting the dedicated volunteers behind a wide range of projects and events throughout the year. The overall winner takes home £1,000 in prize money to spend on village projects.

Laura Pearson, Gnosall’s BKVC lead, said: “BKVC has brought the community together and it is great to be part of this village. There is something for everyone of all ages, including community groups, organisations and drop-in activities.

“I have lived in Gnosall for six years and I have changed as a person because of this community. It is a very proud moment for me and for the village, and this award means everything to us.”

From this year, the prizes for the north of the county have been renamed the Barry Birch Awards, in memory of the former Mayor of Leek and long-standing supporter of the awards.

Steve Adams, chief executive of the Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire, said: “For 70 years, these awards have been celebrating the people and places which make Staffordshire so special.

“While the name of the scheme has remained, the way we judge it has evolved. Today, it is about so much more than how a village looks – it is about community spirit, people coming together and everything that happens throughout the year to make somewhere a great place to live.

“Reaching our 70th anniversary is a fantastic milestone, and it is a real privilege to be able to continue a tradition which shines a light on the huge amount of voluntary work taking place in communities across Staffordshire.”

The competition was launched in 1956 by Sir Alfred Owen, head of the Owen Organisation and the Darlaston-based Rubery Owen group of companies, during his time as chairman of Staffordshire County Council.

His grandson, Nick Owen, represented lead sponsor the Owen Family Trust at the 2026 awards ceremony, which was held at the Moat House in Acton Trussell.

He said: “My family is very proud of our long association with the Best Kept Village and Community Awards. My grandad Sir Alfred Owen helped establish the competition 70 years ago, so it is particularly special for us to be supporting this milestone anniversary year.

“It is a wonderful way of celebrating the people who give their time and energy to make their communities better places to live, and we are delighted to play a part in recognising their achievements.”

Alongside the main village awards, prizes were presented to community groups, individuals, young people and local businesses in a range of categories, with support from sponsors the Owen Family Trust, the Mill Dam Trust, Housing Plus Group and KGL Estates, and partner CPRE Staffordshire.

Full list of 2026 winners:

Picture This – 5-7 years: Rocco, of Alrewas

Picture This – 8-11 years: Sofia, of Alrewas, and Henry, of Oakamoor

Inspiring Group: Hawks Green, Heath Hayes & Wimblebury Environmental Group

Trailblazer: The Woodward brothers, Gnosall

Made in Rural Staffordshire: The Village Bakery, Edingale

Countryside on Camera: Denise Fallon

Vision of BKVC – Young People: Imogen, of Ipstones

Vision of BKVC – Adult: Carole Collier, Trysull & Seisdon

Best Small Village (North): Grindon

Best Large Village (North): Endon

Best Small Village (South): Drayton Bassett

Best Large Village (South): Gnosall

Overall winner: Gnosall