ROWHEDGE and all it is famed for will be broadcast into homes around the country as it competes to be crowned Village of the Year.

Channel 4 presenter and actress Penelope Keith alongside fellow judges craft expert Patrick Grant, Chelsea Flower show gold medallist Juliet Sargeant and archaeologist Alex Langlands, spent weeks in search of the best in UK village life.

On their quest they visited hundreds of locations as they sought to define what makes the perfect village?

Anna Appleyard, who has lived in Rowhedge for seven years said: “I asked a few people this question at the Albion pub one night and they said - the place, the people and the pints - which I thought was a great response.

“The people in Rowhedge are a special bunch, a very diverse bunch, and yet we all get on so well together.

“We’re in a unique position where there isn’t that through traffic which means we’ve retained a sort of old-world charm in a sense but also there’s our community spirit and way of life.”

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Rowhedge Rowing Coastal Club. Picture: Nina Crouchman

The mum-of-two and parish councillor entered Rowhedge into the competition simply to get the village on TV.

Last summer, Mr Langlands was introduced to many characters such as Fabian Bush, the only remaining boat builder in the village, Dave the Shorts, named after his year-round love of them, and intrepid river swimmers, Elizabeth Trellis and Barbara Sanderson, who defy ageing.

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Filming at Fabian's boat shed. Picture: Ivan Beales

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He also met the Coastal Rowing Club, and crews returned for the regatta, when the weather was glorious compared to the actual days of filming.

Mrs Appleyard said: “It was raining cats and dogs like it was the end of the world.”

The winning village stands to win £10,000 which residents will decide on how to spend.

She said: “I put a few feelers out and one of the responses I got was to host a massive street party, but I think that’s a bit too much to spend on food and drinks. It would have to be put out for consultation.”

The series begins on Monday, January 15 showing each weekday at 3pm with a peak time show on Saturdays at 8pm.

It will culminate on February 10 at 8pm when the judges will announce their winner.

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Judges Penelope Keith, Patrick Grant, Juliet Sargeant and Alex Langlands 

Mrs Appleyard said: “More than anything it’s about recognition. It’s nice to create some positivity around the place you live and be able to be proud and show it off.

“I’d be more than happy with a sign at the entrance of Rowhedge saying, ‘Welcome to the Village of the Year’ rather than receive the money.”

Watch on January 25 to see Rowhedge on screen.