And that's exactly what the judges found when they visited Frisby-on-the-Wreake for this year's Leicestershire and Rutland Best Village competition.
They were so impressed with the village and its hard-working residents that they awarded it five top awards – including prestigious best village of the year.
Frisby, which won the best village award for villages with a population of 501-1,000, will now represent the county in the national English Calor Village of the Year competition – with a £6,000 top prize up for grabs.
The judges said new audio and computer equipment put into the village hall earlier this year benefiting various community groups helped earn Frisby the award for best village venture.
Frisby also came joint first in the best village hall class, seeing off 19 other villages, and won the building community life category.
This took all of the village's facilities into consideration – village hall, church, chapel, school, pub, post office and store. Judges also looked at the vast number of people able to benefit from them, including many from neighbouring villages.
Activities include indoor bowls, fencing, whist drives, wine appreciation society, film club, French club, drop-in and friendship clubs, tai chi and many activities for children and young people associated with St Thomas of Canterbury Church.
Judge Tony Roe described Frisby as "a village with a strong identity and sense of community". He added: "We saw examples of community involvement in all parts of the village including church, school and village hall. We experienced a sense of togetherness among the villagers."
On top of its prestigious awards Frisby received £1,200 and villagers are to decide what to spend it on.
Parish council chairman Malcolm Britton said: "We were stunned to hear we had done so well but we're all thrilled to bits. I think what's special about Frisby is living in a small
village community which is big enough to maintain important
buildings and provide facilities for different interests.
"We're quietly confident going into the next stage of the competition though there will be a wider process involved. It's very much a team effort and we can only do our best."
l Market Overton will represent Rutland in the national English Calor Village of the Year competition in the Information Computer Technology section. Other local villages which faired well but didn't pick up awards included Hoby, Bottesford and East Goscote.
christian.march@meltontimes.co.uk