Villagers from across the Glaven Valley in north Norfolk joined forces to roll up their sleeves to help keep a historic church in blooming marvellous condition. 

St Margaret’s churchyard in Cley next the Sea was the scene of the ‘Great British Rake Off’, in which newly chopped grass is heaped and cleared away so wildflowers can grow next spring. 

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Eastern Daily Press: Participants in the Great British Rake Off at Cley ChurchParticipants in the Great British Rake Off at Cley Church (Image: Hanne Siebers)

Shannan Stevenson, who organised the rake-off, said: “This was first and foremost a great community event and I love that sense of community that it brings. 

“We had about 30 people there, not just from Cley but surrounding villages as well. 

Eastern Daily Press: Wyatt Earp taking part in the Great British Rake Off at Cley ChurchWyatt Earp taking part in the Great British Rake Off at Cley Church (Image: Hanne Siebers)

“We only cut the grass once a year, and then we have to rake it off so it comes back in the spring as the most wonderful wildflower meadow. 

“It’s a large church which has a large churchyard, but many hands make light work and we managed to clear the whole thing off in around four hours.”

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Eastern Daily Press: Local historian Richard Jefferson, left, and ShannanStevenson taking part in the Rake Off at Cley ChurchLocal historian Richard Jefferson, left, and ShannanStevenson taking part in the Rake Off at Cley Church (Image: Hanne Siebers)

Mr Stevenson said pyramidal orchids and oxeye daisies were among the flowers they could expect to see in bloom following the coming winter. 

“We’ve only been taking this approach for a couple of years," he said "We took a leaf out of the book of our neighbouring village of Wiveton, who have been doing it for many years and they gave us some advice about how best to look after the church.”

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Eastern Daily Press: Colin Miller taking part in the rake-off at Cley churchyardColin Miller taking part in the rake-off at Cley churchyard (Image: Hanne Siebers)

The grass is left to mulch in a corner of the churchyard to be later used for compost.

Mr Stevenson is head of the church’s ‘Regenerate’ project, which is looking at repairing the floor underneath the wooden pews and planning the building’s lighting and sound needs for the future. 

The Grade I listed church dates from the 14th Century and it is the largest in the area. 

Eastern Daily Press: Volunteers taking part in the rake-off at Cley churchyardVolunteers taking part in the rake-off at Cley churchyard (Image: Hanne Siebers)

Eastern Daily Press: Susi Killin taking part in the eventSusi Killin taking part in the event (Image: Hanne Siebers)

Eastern Daily Press: Painter Hannah Stevenson and sculptor Colin Miller at the rake off Painter Hannah Stevenson and sculptor Colin Miller at the rake off (Image: Hanne Siebers)