Down at Heacham North Beach, the Heacham in Bloom planting day got off to a good start on Saturday, 6 June. The sun was shining, sparrows were busy with their nests in the toilet building and a blackbird watched eagerly as worms were uncovered by the keen gardeners. BBC Radio Norfolk’s gardening programme was being recorded live with Andy Archer and Nick Bailey, together with Alan Gray from East Ruston Old Vicarage, Julia Shrigley from Eastern College and Paul Whittaker, Bamboo specialist.  Gardening was naturally the main topic under discussion but  many more relative subjects were also covered.

Parish Clerk, Philippa Sewell gave an interesting talk on the memorial that had been erected in memory of those who lost their lives in the 1953 floods.

Under the guidance of Chris Durham (Operations Manager for the gardens of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk) and a member of his team, Heacham’s Steve Perry - who had kindly volunteered his services for the day - Heacham Cubs planted alpine plants in the bed around the memorial.  Some volunteers planted a large bed of lavender, while others created a natural rockery around the newly installed access ramp.

Later we had the help and encouragement of the team from BBC’s Springwatch, who were visiting Heacham as part of BBC’s Dirty Weekend Project. Chris Packham was soon lending a hand and talking to volunteers.