ANYONE who thinks that community spirit is dead obviously hasn’t been to the small village of Arlingham.

The rural village, on a small peninsula on the River Severn, was last week awarded the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council’s award for most ‘self-sufficient community’.

Self-sufficiency is a necessity for this population of under 400, as they are cut off by the Gloucester to Sharpness canal to the south and the Severn to the north.

In a village where nearly everybody knows everybody, you can be sure there is always someone who can help you out.

"We have people from all walks of life here, if a job needs doing I usually know someone who can do it," said John Bircher, chairman of the parish council.

Residents recently worked together to improve the children’s play area and church members white-washed their own church to keep it looking tidy.

The most successful project has been a set of walks devised by the parish council to bring more people in the village. All four of the walks start and finish in the centre of the village, which is near Frampton-on-Severn, and it has had a major effect on the local pub the Red Lion.

Landlady of the pub Becky Clutterbuck said many people from outside the village enjoy the idyllic walks then stop off at the pub for a meal.

"The project has been really good for the pub, because being in such a small village we need to work hard to get enough business," said Becky, who moved to the village from Dursley three years ago.

"It is a quiet place to live, but you do feel you are a real part of village life. I know about 90 per cent of the people who live here so it is a tight community."

The judges of the GRCC award said that the village’s isolation had become its strength as residents have to rely on each other much more than in towns and cities.

Lesley Archer, GRCC chief executive, said: "The village is strengthened by the reliance on its own resources, increasing the feeling of community. Working together on projects such as painting the church further enhances that community spirit."

Described as ‘Gloucestershire’s best kept secret’, Arlingham still has six large dairy herds and the local restaurant The Old Passage Inn employs and trains local young people.

They have a thriving toddlers' group, local WI, gardening club and plenty of village events throughout the year.

"All sections of the community are catered for here," added Mr Bircher. "Although people think we are just at a dead end and we are a sleepy village we have plenty for people to do and no one is left out.

"Everybody takes part in community life and they all get something out of it."