On Friday 29th August 2008 Dalston was awarded the Environment section award in the Cumbria 2008 Village Of The Year competition run by Calor. Liz Auld and Stephanie Diver attended the award ceremony in Kirkby Stephen.

The judges felt that the Village Design Statement was obviously a major factor in the local environment and the role of the Parish Council in promoting it was impressive.

Below is a selection of the judges comments:

'A good portrait of a grown-up, self-confident village', 'Excellent range of activities', 'A big friendly village with very good facilities and community life'

'Strong local economy',' Good range of businesses supporting the community and enjoying the area', 'Business association with strong links to the school'

'A first class resume of the village's environmental efforts, good range of activities', Very comprehensive with the involvement from schools, Parish Council and volunteers', Great to have a distinguished litter picker!'

'Workmanlike and unflustered by new technologies, impressive', Excellent website, active Parish Council and good use of local newsletters', Evidence of good awareness of opportunities to keep people informed and involved'

'Lovely pictures from the beavers and they give a flavour of how pleasant it is to live in Dalston', 'Conveyed well the sense of people valuing and supporting the community'

Well done to the other section winners and congratulations to Kirkby Stephen