Best kept village 2012

The community spirit of Tetney saw it crowned the Best-Kept Village in Lincolnshire.

The village was awarded first prize in the Community Lincs Best-Kept Villages and Small Towns competition after a "monumental effort" by the parish council and residents.

Competing in the medium-sized village category, it is the first time Tetney has come out top after pipping Scotton and five-time winners Harlaxton to the post.

And Tetney Parish Council say they owe it all to the locals who mucked in and did their bit, earning them full marks for "overall community effort"

Clerk Susan Booth – who was praised for rallying up support – is thrilled they have done so well. She said: "When I opened the letter and saw we had won I couldn't believe it. We are all thrilled to bits."

"When we found out we had got through to the second round all hell broke loose. I printed off posters and put them up around the village and that weekend a lot of people had a good tidy round their gardens. There was a real community effort made by everyone."

They were also praised for their 'excellent green spaces' – especially the Silver Jubilee Gardens, playing fields and children's play area.

Councillor Steve McMillan hopes it will improve the reputation of the village.

He said: "It is good to raise the profile of Tetney. This is a nice, positive thing to happen to us and it is about time."

Councillor Yvonne Fletcher added: "The village has always been slightly divided but everyone seemed to pull together this year."

Tetney Primary School pupil William Havery, 10, designed the poster which spurred locals on to support the competition.

News of Tetney's achievement is filtering through the village creating excitement among the community.

Chip shop worker Steve Bates added: "Tetney is a great place to live. What makes us stand out is our youth. The children here are very polite and well-behaved."

Landlord of the Plough Andy Wraith was praised for the flowers outside his pub. He said: "Everyone has pulled together. It is a great place to live."

The sense of community spirit in the village is clearly on a high due to the award being given to Tetney, but what sets Tetney apart from others?

Resident and shop employee Jane Pexman said: "Tetney is a very quaint little village where everyone pulls together to get things done."

Pennells Garden Centre in Lincoln donated a tree to be planted in the Jubilee Gardens, a commemorative plaque and a certificate.

Tetney Parish Council wanted to thank: Colin Bovill, Community Lincs, Tetney Primary School, Danny Wilson at East Lindsey District Council and William Webb at Lincolnshire County Council.