LOCALS have praised the "incredible" community spirit shown by Berry Hill residents during lockdown after the village was crowned Neighbourhood of the Year for 2021.

Villagers said they were "delighted" that their efforts have been recognised on a national scale in this year’s Good Neighbourhood Awards, which is a campaign to celebrate the communities, businesses and local groups who have come together to support their neighbourhoods in the past year.

The village claimed the top prize in the annual awards, which are organised by online neighbourhood network Nextdoor, beating off competition from thousands of other communities across the UK.

To celebrate the win, TV presenter and Nextdoor ambassador Konnie Huq visited the village to present certificates to some of those behind the award-winning community initiatives.

Forest of Dean District Council Leader and Berry Hill resident Tim Gwilliam, said: "My fellow Councillor Jamie Elsmore and I are delighted that our ward and village of Berry Hill has been named as Neighbourhood of the year 2021.

"The community spirit and initiatives put together by residents has been nothing short of incredible.

"This sense of community has been echoed in towns and villages throughout the Forest and I hope that the entire Forest will share the pride in the award that we have in Berry Hill.

"It is particularly pleasing in this year of all years that the Forest’s stoicism and indomitable spirit has been recognised.

"I look forward to seeing the great work from Nextdoor and the Berry Hill community in the near future."

During lockdown, Berry Hill residents organised a series of outdoor events "to keep everyone’s spirits lifted", including a popular scarecrow trail which caught on all over the Forest of Dean.

Residents were encouraged to make and display their own scarecrows around the village, which did so much to brighten everyone’s mood that communities across the district followed suit.

Volunteers also held a tractor rally at Easter and helped to refurbish Berry Hill Social Club for use as a community space post-lockdown.

Berry Hill Rugby Club hosted outdoor activities for young people and raised funds to purchase and install two defibrillators in disused phone boxes, which were painted blue by the community as a tribute to NHS front-line workers.

The post office also began hosting a free community library where people can donate and borrow books, and the village’s community orchard has been continuously maintained by volunteers for the benefit of wildlife and local people.

Roisin O’Neil, Head of UK Community at Nextdoor, said: "We felt that as a community, Berry Hill residents have clearly pulled together throughout lockdown to support everyone in the neighbourhood, as well as undertaking a number of great initiatives to grow and support their local area.

"The kindness, enthusiasm and pride of the people in Berry Hill shone through in their nominations and we’re so happy to announce it as our Neighbourhood of the Year."