We all had a lovely break over the Xmas period, but with 6 months to the judging day, its back to business as usual.

Heacham In Bloom welcomes a new sponsor Darren Bailey, local electrician, who will sponsor the display in the raised bed at the Lavender Junction.   The volunteers are gradually ticking off their list of hard landscaping tasks, much of the hard graft being done by Rob Topliss, Steve Percy and Rodney Clements.

It was also agreed that the colour scheme this year will take inspiration from the Olympic flame, so we will be using bright oranges, yellows and reds; a scheme that we have not used before.

A small working party has been set up to look at what might be done to “In Bloom” the High Street, following several requests from shop owners who want to support the project. We have also created a Heacham In Bloom facebook page; to keep you regularly updated with photos of our work, please free to “Like” us. Heacham In Bloom were given sight of the Parish Council’s plans for the creation of  a Jubilee Garden in the Recreation Ground, an application for lottery funding is being made as we speak so our fingers are crossed that the Council is successful.   Preparations are being made to launch our Best Blooming Caravan Competition in April, with our sponsors the Fox and Hounds Public House, so watch this space for more news.

Our next meeting is 20 February at 7.00pm – Parish Council Office.

Susan Richardson

Heacham in Bloom’s first AGM, held in November saw myself and Robbie Topliss  reappointed as Chairman and Treasurer respectively  and Geraldine Topliss taking over from Philippa Sewell, as Secretary. My report given at the meeting is as follows:

The expression from small acorns comes to mind……. In early 2009,  I was persuaded by the Parish Clerk to  Chair the first Heacham In Bloom Committee meeting.  Two and half years on and  Heacham In Bloom has  grown  much stronger and it  is a real credit to the dedicated committee members and our supporters that  we achieved an amazing Silver Gilt this year, with  commendations in 3 special award categories.

We might not yet be a mighty oak, but we have shown that we can hold our own against other  In Bloom groups who have been operating for many years.  I would like to extend a big thank you to all those who have helped us over the past few years, many in the background some with money, some with plants, some with machinery,  some with cakes …the list goes on. However,  whenever support or whatever support is given, it is a real boost to us.

We have already been working hard on our 2012 entry and as always it is about consolidation; bringing on and caring for those projects started in 2009 and  moving forward with new projects and expanding the Heacham In Bloom family.  We plan  to  promote our Pride of Place campaign and sign up more residents or groups to make their place bloom.   We  also met some lovely holiday makers whilst judging our Best Blooming Caravan Competition and we make no secret of the fact that with 2,000 caravans in Heacham, we are looking to encourage some fierce competition between parks and caravans.

Heacham In Bloom bring a tropical feel to South Beach.

I take great pride in the fact that, the Judges enjoy coming to Heacham, they enjoy our sometimes novel approach to the In Bloom competition  and that we continue to surprise them with how much we achieve with so little resources compared to other groups, part of our secret is our Heacham first approach, looking at what is right for Heacham not necessarily what will win us points in the competition.

I also announced that since our last meeting we have been given a cheque for £100 from the Heacham Gardeners’ Association as well as their notice board at the Dairy.  Many of you may have noticed that we have been hard at work over the past month at South Beach, putting the funding from Talk Talk to good use with help from Nick Cawthorne and his mini digger.

Please come and support our Christmas Coffee Morning on (10am to 12 noon) Saturday 10 December in St Mary’s Church Hall, Heacham High Street.  We would love to see you.

Our next meeting is on  19 December at 7.00pm at the Parish Council Office for anyone that would like to join our cause.

This November we are preparing for our first AGM which will round up our most successful year yet and launch our 2012 campaign.     I am really delighted to announce  ahead of that meeting that  TalkTalk, the home phone, broadband and mobile provider, has agreed to sponsor Heacham in Bloom for the next twelve months.  The £850.00  funding will be used to provide colourful displays throughout the year and to develop the  permanent planting and bedding scheme at Heacham South Beach.   Talk Talk has been  expanding its Next Generation Network locally and Heacham In Bloom were lucky enough to be selected as part of their investing initiative that support projects which deliver a difference  to the community.   All are welcome  at the AGM, whilst we appreciate that not everyone wants to be a committee member,  there is always  a place on our growing list of helpers, sponsors and partnership groups.   Reports will be given on the Best Blooming Caravan Awards, Pride of Place campaign and plans for next year. 

We will also be hosting a Christmas Coffee Morning on Saturday 10 December at St Mary’s Church Hall  in the High Street 10am-12noon.  I look forward to seeing you there. 

 AGM NOTICE – ALL WELCOME:

Date: 21 November 2011
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: TBC
Refreshments provided

Members of the hard working Heacham In Bloom receive awards

The 2011 annual Anglia in Bloom awards were a real celebration for Heacham with the village receiving no less than three nominations:

• Best Community Award for Sunnyside Care Home, Heacham
• Best Industrial and Commercial Area Award for Heacham Manor
• Best Environmental Quality Award for high levels of cleanliness and tidiness of the village

In addition, Heacham was awarded a Silver Gilt which was an improvement on last year’s Silver Award.  Heacham found itself competing in the good company of Lowestoft, Yarmouth, Sheringham and Hunstanton who also received Silver Gilt awards.

This brings the village’s unbroken award winning records to three consecutive years.  We have all come to expect high standards of achievement from the Heacham In Bloom Committee and they continue to make Heacham proud.  Well done to you all.

Heacham is awarded Silver Gilt

In addition to Hunstanton gaining a Silver Gilt, the town was also named coastal category winner and the King’s Lynn team gained a Silver Gilt overall and also won the Best Public Open Space Special Award.

Commenting on Heacham’s wonderful result, a very delighted Heacham In Bloom Chairman, Susan Richardson said: “I am very proud that Heacham achieved a Silver Gilt at the Anglia In Bloom awards ceremony held in Colchester last month.    Heacham In Bloom has improved year on year and Silver Gilt is a great reward for us and everyone who has played a part in our success.  I am particularly  pleased that the Judges shortlisted Sunnyside for the community award as they took part in the Heacham In Bloom Pride of Place Campaign. The gardens and golf course at Heacham Manor Hotel were  also shortlisted in the best commercial category. Heacham was one of 4 areas nominated for an Environmental award from all the entries and categories.   We now move forward into the 2012 competition brimming with ideas. If you would like to help us, the next meeting is Monday 17 October at 7.00pm at the Parish Council Office, all welcome.”

For more information about West Norfolk’s Anglia in Bloom campaign please visit www.westnorfolkinbloom.co.uk

Click here to see more photos of the 2011 Heacham Carnival

Carnival Queen, Amy Noakes accompanied by her 4 Lavender Princesses; Daisy Back, Milli O’Quigley, Emily Smith and Chloe Rumens

In my experience, the sun always shines on Heacham Carnival.  The weeks and days leading up to this big annual event were frequently rained on to the degree you could even say it was cats and dogs.  However it was true to form and out came the sun on the day as required.  This year, however, it was somewhat cooler than we have become used to but, as it turned out, it was perfect marching weather for the Heacham Carnival Parade.

This year’s parade (7 August 2011) had a good number of entries with the majority forming floats. The parade was full of colour and lots of thought and creativity had obviously gone into the floats and costumes.  The walkers were also nicely turned out to add colour to the parade.   Well done to everyone who took part.

It was perhaps a shame that 2011 was the year the organisers shortened the length of the route so that the parade began in College Drive instead of Marram Way as the participants would have found the conditions much more comfortable than in past years.  However, I took the opportunity to position myself alongside Brays Pit to view the oncoming parade and found the Heacham duck population thriving on the banks of the pond.  I cannot remember them being so prolific but perhaps my memory is getting foggy with old age!

There were countless collectors out rattling their buckets amongst the parade persuading the spectactors to dig deep and help swell the fundraising effort on behalf of Heacham In Bloom and the final donations were a cracking £400 which bodes well for the 2012 Heacham In Bloom campaign.

The Lavender Queen, Amy Noakes accompanied by her 4 Lavender Princesses; Daisy Back, Milli O’Quigley, Emily Smith and Chloe Rumens led the Heacham Carnival Parade with The Ambassadors of Borrowash Marching Band providing excellent marching music to spur the parade along.  Untypically, the Ambassadors proved to offer more than just a striking up of their tunes as they marched in perfect formation reminiscent of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  It seemed as though this style was a surprise to the parade participants as those following the band were forced to periodically stop and observe the band marching through their routines mid-parade.  More of this fantastic display was dished up for the visitors to this year’s Heacham Carnival Parade once the parade reached the sports field.  I, along with hordes of others, watched in amazement as the band strutted their stuff showing enormous imagination, discipline and skill.  They were nothing less than excellent and the band should be rightly proud of themselves.

Winner: Heacham Youth Club's dragon

Winner: Hunstanton & District Rotary Club

Having looked at some of the band’s promotional material they boast that they perform an arena show choreographed to music which is guaranteed to entertain the public, visually as well as audibly.  Well they certainly lived up to their marketing in my view and their colourful uniforms complemented the intricate marching movements and display patterns that are formed. They are very much a group of competent musicians who perform a wide and varied selection of music on brass, woodwind and percussion instruments  and they ensured the arena show was a truly spectacular event leaving me wanting to see more.  (Scroll further down to learn more about the band.)

Overall Winners: Heacham Judo Club in Harry Potter theme

On the field the usual judging took place and the winners were declared as:

- Best Overall Entry and Legion Trophy winners – Heacham Judo Club – Harry Potter

- Best Youth Group – Heacham Youth Club – Dragon

- Best Family – Cawthorne – Circus

- Best Other Entry – Hunstanton & District Round Table – Ghostbusters and Starsky & Hutch

I must say that Heacham Judo Club was a truly merited overall winner.  Their float was true to their theme, came through as a real team effort and had obviously had a lot of hard work put into it.  Well done to the Judo Club.  I was also impressed with the quality of the Ghostbusters entry and the beat up old Starsky & Hutch car brought back fond memories of my childhood cop heroes.

Winner: Cawthorne family are clowning around

As usual, the car boot sale kicked off the day at the unearthly hour of 7am with the fairground rides, bouncy castle and fete stalls gradually opening up by lunch time.  There were also competitions and races to wear the children out further before they had to depart for home.

A Short History of The Ambassadors of Borrowash Marching Band

The Ambassadors formed in September 1979 when the original 11 founder members established the structure of the new organisation, including a constitution. Months of fundraising work followed thereafter to raise funds for instruments and eventually uniforms.  As funds grew and the formation of the band took shape, new performing members were attracted.  As second hand instruments were purchased out of the funds that had been raised, members were taught to play an instrument, a drum or to dance.

The Ambassadors joined the CBSL (Carnival Band Secretaries League) in 1981 and the performing members were equipped with uniforms and the first public performance was held on 10th July 1982 in a contest at Allestree where the band came last. This trend continued for the rest of the season as they gained confidence and experience.

Whilst entertaining the public at various fetes, galas and shows the band continued to improve in contests until on 25th June 1983 they achieved their first competition win. The contest at Duffield saw the Ambassadors secure first place with 77 out of 100 points beating the Rangers of Derby and the Derby Regalia who tied for second place with 76 points.  The band had grown and gained in experience over the years and continue to compete in major competions.  In particular, the set out on a quest to win one of the Major CBSL Championships. The three Championships in the CBSL are the League Championship and two open contests, the Midland Counties Championship and the South East Midland Counties Championship.

Their 1987 season began well, winning contests at Ilkeston, Long Eaton, Beeston, Ashbourne and Horsley Woodhouse. The next contest at Chesterfield saw the Ambassadors beat the Derby Serenaders for the first time. This was no mean feat as the Serenaders had dominated the premier spot of the CBSL for the previous two decades. With runners up positions at Derby and Lowestoft, and a further win at another contest at Long Eaton, the band achieved their ambition by winning the 1987 League Championship.

To date the Ambassadors of Borrowash Marching Band have won 18 Championships and been runners up 18 times. During the past five years the band have been League Champions in 1997, 1998 and 2000. Other achievements in this period include the biggest point’s difference between first and second place, a 20 points difference, winning 10 contests in a row and being undefeated in 1998.

Although an impressive record this is, the band still strives to achieve more and improves year upon year.  Long may they continue to wow the public with their kind of bandmanship!

Ambassadors Marching Band parade through Heacham

Garden party guests enjoy the entertainment

More than £300 was raised at what turned out to be a very enjoyable garden party event in aid of Heacham In Bloom.  This means that the 2012 Heacham In Bloom campaign has already got off to a good start.  Heacham In Bloom has been hard at work keeping Heacham beautiful in 2011 with July, as usual, being their busiest month, culminating with the In Bloom Judges visiting Heacham on 13 July.

On the morning of the garden party, it looked as though all the hard work may have been in vain as the sky looking ominous to say the least.  Happily, it stayed dry and warm enough for comfort and events proceeded as planned.

Tombola stall

A visitor browses

Activities at the garden party included a form of croquet where the winner hitting the ball (is that the right word?  probably not!) through the highest scoring targets was deemed the winner.  At the close of the day my oldest son was declared the winner with a score of 25 and was delighted to be awarded a box of Maltesers.  Amongst the stalls was a lovely selection of plants for sale, a selection of home baked cakes and biscuits, an extensive range of books (donations requested for these) and the traditional tombola (which ended with a empty table!).  There was also a high quality range of hand made jewellery to tempt us girls by Pat Salmon and some wonderful framed photographs and souvenir magnets/keyrings depciting local scenes by Viv and Alan Walker.

Hostess Gel serves the refreshments

Chairman, Susan mans the cake stall

Our hostess, Gel, ably assisted by several kitchen volunteers, put in a lot of hard work keeping up with the cream teas and other refreshments.  I am not sure if the scones were home made or not but they were lovely and I had to resist returning for more!

More than a hundred visitors attended the garden party and the atmosphere throughout was relaxing and highly enjoyable with lively entertainment supplied by The Lavender Hill Theatre Mob.  Their hosts allowed the talented group a free hand with their musical programme and they tell me that this was the first time they had been given such an open brief.  The wide range of popular tunes sung throughout the afternoon kept us all tapping our feet and some of the visitors (including our host, Rob) had to hit the “dance floor” to further enhance the entertainment.

Lavender Hill Mob PR guru, Sandra Hohol (far right) sings with the group

Garden Party Host Rob (far right) joins in with the Lavender Hill Mob's dancing

Since I have seen the Lavender Hill Mob perform on numerous occasions I was not surprised that I enjoyed their lively entertainment.  However, I have to say that this was by far the best I have ever seen them.  I hope they get a lot more freedom to choose their repertoire in the future as it allows them to show off their talents to the maximum effect.  They even acquired a little tot member who could not stop dancing to the lively tunes in between making a grab for his bottle or seeking a cuddle from Mum.  I have to say this cheeky chappie was a delight to watch and every bit as entertaining as the rest of his troupe.  He was so on the move though that I had real trouble getting a good photo of him dancing.  So don’t forget to keep a look out this summer when you are out and about for you will no doubt see this amazing group of able and not so able young people at one event or another and they are well worth watching and listening to.

A section of the Lavender Hill Mob

A very moving moment

Heacham In Bloom’s Committee are looking forward to waving at the crowds from their Carnival Float in this year’s Heacham Carnival Parade so don’t forget to give them a wave back and to please give generously to the Carnival Parade collection which I believe is going to help swell their funds in 2012.

Lavender Hill Mob dancers get the visitors dancing

Winners of the Best Blooming Caravan are awarded their prize - dinner for two at The Fox & Hounds

Posted by Susan Richardson, Chairman Heacham In Bloom
heachaminbloom@btinternet.com     Tel: 01485 572142

July was as usual Heacham In Bloom’s busiest month, with the Judging team visiting Heacham on 13 July.  The judges appeared very supportive of all the work achieved over the last 12 months, but we will not  know the final results until September.

The Heacham in Bloom team did their own judging in the new Best Blooming Caravan Competition.  Congratulations to Long Acres who won  best caravan park. The placings for  best individual caravan are as follows: 1st place  Mr and Mrs Nicholson, Pioneer Holiday Park, 2nd place  Mr S Downs, Putting Green Caravan Park and 3rd place Sue Windle, Pioneer Holiday Park. Well done to all who took part, it really was a joy to see the amazing displays.

A final thank you also to Mr and Mrs Topliss who hosted an open garden on 23 July, with funds raised going to Heacham In Bloom, meaning that our 2012 campaign has already got off to a good start. We look forward to waving at you from our Carnival Float, please give generously to the Carnival Parade collection – many thanks.

Old Bakery Court, Heacham

The Heacham In Bloom Committee have taken a big step this year and invested much of the funds raised over the winter in 100s of plug plants, so the additional funds raised at the Coffee Morning (despite the rain) will help fund some hard landscaping items that we need.

I was pleased to be invited to give a report at the Village Annual Meeting and I repeat what I said there that we are all volunteers  doing what we can in our spare time to make the village brighter and more attractive, so if you would like to help out, please let us know.

Cherry Tree Close, Heacham

      
Heacham In Bloom are launching two new initiatives for 2011.   This year a trophy will be awarded to the best “Blooming” Caravan Park, with individual caravan owners eligible to enter a best caravan entry – the prize for the winning caravan being a meal for two  at the Fox and Hounds in Station Road.  The Anglia In Bloom judges will be taken to the winning park.  We hope that all the Parks will agree to take part and promote the competition on their sites.  Application forms for caravan entries will be available from the Parish Council Office, Parish Library or email heachaminbloom@btinternet.com.

The second Initiative is our Pride of Place campaign, inspired by Cherry Tree Close and Old Bakery Court last year. We would like residents to take a look at their road or street and see what could be done to make it Bloom.  This is not a competition, but to encourage you - Heacham In Bloom will provide a voucher for plants for the first 10 roads who register.

Heacham In Bloom Logo

Heacham In Bloom has been using the winter months to plan for next year and do a spot of fundraising.   We have received £400 in donations for next year and raised over £260.00 with our table top sale, we hope to raise a bit more at our Pottery Painting Cafe on Monday 6 December. A big thank you also must go to those businesses and residents who have provided raffle prizes for both events. 

We are still looking for helpers with growing on plug plants in the spring, so if you can help please let me know.   Our other big news is that Heacham In Bloom will, after a helping hand from the Parish Council over the past 18 months, become an independent group in its own right as we have sufficient members to form an effective Committee.

We, of course, still look forward to working in close partnership with the Parish Council.