IT seems to be common opinion these days that community sprit in our towns and villages has long since died.

The spirit that bound communities together during troubled times like the Second World War and the sense of

neighbourliness and belonging is now all but extinct in some communities.

But try telling that to the folks in Pool-in-Wharfedale.

Not only are they tenaciously fighting for traffic calming measures to tame the rat-running menace of speeding cars and thundering juggernauts through the heart of their village, they have also managed to come fourth out of 68 villages in the prestigious Village of the Year competition - no mean feat.

Pool has long been blighted by horrendous traffic problems and even though the city council has promised traffic calming measures 'by March 2000' villagers are rightly anxious that they be installed as soon as possible and are not taking the council's apathy lying down.

Community group Pool 2020, made up of concerned

villagers, is leading the fight and even plan a series of

road-side protests to get their point across.

That's true community spirit from people who care about their village.

And that's why Pool did so well in the Village of the Year competition, which not only recognises tidy villages, but ones with a thriving community and people who work hard to improve the environment they live in.

Judges were impressed with community life in Pool. Initiatives like their Pool Vision newsletter, the close ties Pool Primary School has with the community, the work of the churches and the numerous community groups in the village all helped sway judges.

Led by organisations like the hard-working parish council and Pool 2020 and by individual villagers themselves, Pool-in-Wharfedale's community spirit is something to envy and should stand as an inspiration to us all.

You wouldn't bet against them winning the competition next year, and it is hoped their success serves as an example to other communities around the region.