REDWICK scooped two awards after being chosen as having one of the best kept pubs and in one of Gwent’s best kept villages.

The village near Magor was awarded the titles in the category of villages which have between 50 and 351 residents.

The competition is divided into four categories depending on the size of its population.

The Rose Inn on South Row in Redwick was presented with the award of best kept pub in its category.

Sarah McDonald and Gareth Webb have run the Rose Inn for three years.

Ms McDonald said she was over the moon with the news.

She said she thinks the pub won because of its good atmosphere.

Ms McDonald said: “It’s very old-fashioned and oldy-worldy.’ She said the pub serves home-made food and has a play area for children.

It is not the first time the village of Redwick has done well in the competition having won the title two years ago.

Redwick Community Council clerk, Glynis Williams, said a note was put through the door of every house in the village in May asking residents to spend a day helping to tidy up the village.

She said: “We just asked people to keep an eye out to make sure we didn’t have any litter.’ The winning hamlet and villages did litter picking, mowed verges, cared for flowerbeds and hanging baskets and encouraged residents to maintain their properties.

Judges travelled along the highways and byways inspecting, scoring and making notes on Gwent’s villages.

Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, Simon Boyle and his wife Catriona were judges for the first time.

Running for over 20 years, the competition was threatened this year when the sponsor withdrew in August just after the judging had been carried out.

But Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations stepped in to run the competition on a reduced budget with help from Torfaen County Council, Newport City Council and Monmouthshire County Council.

There were also prizes up for grabs for the best community centres, village halls and churchyards.

Schools can also enter the competition separately and are judged on their teaching of the national curriculum.

Best Hamlet: Mounton

31-350 category:

  • Best Village: Redwick
  • Best Village Hall: Shirenewton
  • Best Churchyard: Cwmerra Chapel, Llanvetherine
  • Best Public House: The Rose Inn, Redwick

351-1000 category:

  • Best Village: Llanvaches
  • Best Village Hall: Llanvaches
  • Best Churchyard: St Helen’s, Llanellen
  • Best Public House: Millers Arms, Mathern

Over 1000 category:

  • Best Village: Magor with Undy
  • Best Village Hall: Bassaleg Community Hall
  • Best Churchyard: St Mary’s, Undy