Village of the Year Competition
CCDT's third competition entry of 2008 was to Calor Gas Village of the Year, a competition for villages with a population under 5000 (Callander's is roughly 3500). It is a UK-wide contest that rewards vibrant, self-sustaining communities which, irrespective of size, have made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
A comprehensive written entry and a face-to-face interview resulted in Callander becoming the regional winner for Central Scotland. Thus, we the progressed to the final stage, whereupon we were lent a camera and asked to produce a video diary of life in Callander - which was to be compiled within a fortnight!
We did not win the Scottish title, but Anne Docherty and Susan O'Boyle represented CCDT and Callander at the national awards ceremony in London's magnificent Guildhall and received our regional award from Bill Turnbull (presenter on BBC Breakfast). And we cheered loudly when not only the Scottish but also the overall UK award went to the Isle of Barra. No hard feelings at all!