LEADING figures in Ledbury have expressed their delight after the historic market town was named as the best place to live in the Midlands.
The Herefordshire town scooped the honour in the Sunday Times’ Best Places To Live guide.
Judges had chosen towns and cities based on criteria including crime rates, house prices and school performance with local knowledge.
In its latest edition The Sunday Times reported: “Ledbury in Herefordshire takes top billing in the Midlands thanks in part to the strength of the community, which has fought off big supermarkets to protect the independent stores in the town.”
Ledbury’s Mayor Coun Annette Crowe told the Observer she was thrilled by the news but felt it was not a surprise.
“It’s absolutely fantastic for Ledbury and very much deserved,” she said.
“In ledbury we have a thriving High Street and there is such a fantastic community spirit here with so many volunteers helping out to deliver projects in and around the town.
“It is a very special place to live in and I know a lot of people regard it as Herefordshire’s secret.”
Leader of Herefordshire Council Coun Tony Johnson added: “It is a credit to the people of Ledbury and the surrounding areas that it has been recognised for the outstanding place it is.
“We are very lucky in Herefordshire that we have such a beautiful county and it is marvellous to hear that this is also appreciated nationally.”
The Sunday newspaper title named cathedral city Winchester as the best place to live in Britain because of its ‘excellent’ schools, ‘good’ transport links and ‘strong’ community spirit.
Who else made the list in Britain’s Best Places To Live? The Sunday Times also said these were the best places to live in their respected regions (in brackets).
Orford in Suffolk (East)
Fitzrovia in central London (London)
Harrogate in North Yorkshire (North East)
Ballycastle in County Antrim (Northern Ireland)
Whalley in Lancashire (North West)
Stockbridge in Edinburgh (Scotland)
Midhurst in West Sussex (South East)
Falmouth in Cornwall (South West)
Penarth in Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
