Places Features

On first look Minster-in-Thanet looks like a typical village with narrow roads and small buildings. Looking a more closely, Minster appears to be in excellent health.

St Mary's Church in Minster-in-Thanet

The iconic Post Office sign catches my eye in the High Street. Either side of the Post Office is an impressive number of independent businesses each with their own individual signs.

My first stop in Minster is The Gossip Shop, the village's cafe. At the top of the High Street it is one of the first things to come into view when you enter the village from the main road and its location is an ideal window on the village and the world passing by.

What impressed me the most was strength of interaction in Minster. It may be a small village but it certainly did not feel sleepy. People to talk to one another and this is strengthened by a detailed monthly newsletter and a welcome pack for new residents.

Over-looking Minster-in Thanet

The Village of the Year competition is not about pretty flower beds and a tidy village green. The judges were looking for a thriving community with a good quality of life for all its residents.

This year's entries were judged on four categories; business, community, sustainability and community. Minster-in-Thanet won the communication and community categories as well as being announced as overall winners.

Minster-in-Thanet will now go forward to represent Kent in the Village of the Year for England competition. The winner will be announced in December 2009.