Best Kept Village Competition

Published: 04 August 2025

The Parish Council is so proud and delighted to let you all know that Seer Green has won the DeFraine Cup for the Best Kept Village in our category. Not only that, but the village has also been awarded the Sword of Excellence for best overall winner of the 2025 Buckinghamshire Best Kept Village Competition.

Huge thanks are due to all volunteers and residents who gave up their time, as well as to the Pubs, Churches, businesses and the contractors we work with, who all made such an effort to ensure that the village looked its best for the judges. This was truly a team effort and the wonderful result is a fitting tribute to everyone who lent a hand.


The presentation by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire will take place on the 20th September. Thank you all so much!
Liz Hungin, Chairman, Seer Green Parish Council

Seer Green has won the DeFraine Cup this year with a mark of 198 out of 200. The Judges Marks and Notes are below:- 

Buckinghamshire Best Kept Village Competition 2025 – DeFraine Cup

VILLAGE/TOWN:  SEER GREEN

 

Score

Possible Marks

1

Cemetery/graveyard (separate or attached to a place of worship)

Beautifully maintained Cemetery by dedicated volunteers.  A well-tended, peaceful place with good seating.                                          Damage from fallen trees being carefully restored.

20

20

2

Green, playing field, children’s play area, outdoor recreation facilities, designated nature conservation area

The green by Village Hall tidy and well maintained.  Good to see the watering system for new tree planting.  Good paths, tree stump left as part of play equipment.  Playing field area immaculate with good seating provision. Well defined nature areas in  Holy Trinity Church yard.

35

35

3

Floral displays, hanging baskets, tubs, planters, flower beds etc

Beautifully planted and well maintained flower troughs at entrances to village. Attractive flower baskets outside both Pubs.

14

15

4

Community facilities (Village Hall, Community Centre, Church Hall

Jubilee Hall excellent.  Car park tidy – no sign of litter.                                                Volunteers setting up coffee shop/meeting space with opportunity for support services at Holy Trinity Church with tables and chairs in the churchyard.  Supported by Clare Foundation.

20

20

5

General environmental features (hedges, verges, ditches, pond, stream, pump etc.)

Very good. Hedges well cut, verges tidy.  Beautiful rose arch at entrance to Jubilee Walk. Allotments well managed and maintained.

20

20

6

Shops and Pubs

Three Horseshoes refurbished.  Both pubs look attractive with good flower baskets. Minor litter outside the shops, but attractive flower troughs.

19

20

7

 Bus stops, bus shelters, public seating, dog bins, notice boards, information signs

 Bus stops clean and tidy.  Notice boards up to date.

20

20

8

War memorial (Please include a photograph if the memorial is inside a locked building)

Beautifully maintained by dedicated volunteers, who had made wooden soldier cutouts on display at the memorial.

20

20

9

Quality of Competition entry - up to date and detailed map with features highlighted

Very good map submitted with all relevant areas clearly marked.

10

10

10

Evidence of community engagement (eg website, newsletter, magazine, posters and general community involvement in the Competition)

Very informative PC website – easy to navigate. Many examples of volunteers looking after and improving their village.  All happy to talk to us, and showed a pride in the community.  Annual volunteer award.

20

20

 

Additional Notes

Great community feel throughout the village.

198

200