HUME CALLS ON COMMUNITIES TO ENTER SCOTTISH CALOR VILLAGE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

12.00.00am GMT Fri 22nd Feb 2008

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, is keen for all eligible rural communities within the area to enter the 'Scottish Calor Village of the Year' competition which celebrates Scotland's rural communities. The event, which was launched this week in the Scottish Parliament, is being supported by both the Association of Scottish Community Councils (ASCC) and Rural Gateway.

Jim Hume said:-

"I am delighted that rural communities in the South of Scotland will be given the chance to put themselves and their ideas on the map. Rural communities play a huge role within Scottish national identity and I'm pleased that at last they will receive the credit they deserve.

"The Calor Village of the Year competition has been designed to encourage communities to work together to safeguard the long-term viability of local life. The battle against social exclusion, which was recently highlighted as a major challenge for the South Region, can be supported through the competition.

The MSP continued:-

"I urge all eligible rural communities in the South of Scotland to enter the competition before the deadline of the 31st May 2008."