A north Norfolk village has been crowned the winner of Norfolk Day’s Big Clean Up best kept competition.

Launched earlier this year, the aim of the initiative was to inspire communities to get their local towns and villages looking spic and span ahead of July 27.

And you did not disappoint.

After looking through all of the entries, Mundesley, based on the north Norfolk coast, has been announced as this year’s winner and will receive a package of goodies for the village.

Eastern Daily Press: Mundesley signMundesley sign (Image: (C) Archant 2020)

Nominated by its parish council, a number of plans and projects have been put in place over the past few months to brighten up the area.

A community gardeners’ group has helped to improve and maintain the floral arrangements around the village, while the council has also installed nine new floral planters and arrangements to make Mundesley a more welcoming place to residents and visitors.

Eastern Daily Press: Mundesley is through to the finals of the Best Kept competitionMundesley is through to the finals of the Best Kept competition (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com / Lesley Buckley)

Dated street-lighting on the seafront and some lamps on the High Street have been replaced with Victorian lamps to make the village more aesthetically-pleasing. Historical information boards have been erected to inform people of the area’s history, and the parish council is currently in the process of having a planter made in the shape of a steam train to go where the station used to be in the village.

The council has also worked with North Norfolk District Council to get the seafront shelters repainted and repaired, and it also purchased new Christmas lights for the village.

Eastern Daily Press: From the beach huts at Mundesley Beach, Emma Wymer witnessed the dog attack.From the beach huts at Mundesley Beach, Emma Wymer witnessed the dog attack. (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

And the hard work does not stop there as the staff and students from a local college are doing a litter pick in the autumn to help keep the village clean.

A member from the parish council said special recognition should be given to Andrew Rivett and the community gardeners for all of their efforts.

A spokesperson added: “The parish council has been and is working hard towards ensuring that the village retains its picture-postcard charm to ensure a pleasant place for residents to live and visitors to come to.”

Eastern Daily Press: Rainbow bench in Mundesley thanking all keyworkers and NHS staffRainbow bench in Mundesley thanking all keyworkers and NHS staff (Image: Mundesley Parish Council)

Eastern Daily Press: Bike planter in MundesleyBike planter in Mundesley (Image: Mundesley Parish Council)

The village of Cawston, located between Reepham and Aylsham, has been named as the runner-up of the competition.

This year, the school’s wildlife garden was transformed by mums Patricia Santos and Tanya Daniels, with lots of help from acting headteacher Sharon Brett as well as dozens of residents who have donated time and supplies to restore it back to its former glory.

Eastern Daily Press: Cawston signCawston sign (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Mums Patricia Santos, right, and Tanya Daniels, front left, in the Cawston Primary Academy School garden they have been working hard on. With them is head teacher, Kay Swann, left, and assistant head teacher, Sharon Brett. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYMums Patricia Santos, right, and Tanya Daniels, front left, in the Cawston Primary Academy School garden they have been working hard on. With them is head teacher, Kay Swann, left, and assistant head teacher, Sharon Brett. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Resident Lyn Fairchild, of Howard’s Way, has also been going above and beyond to create a new fairy garden in the front of her home for families to enjoy on the school run. She has been doing it for a number of years and will often personalise the little garden for up-coming events such as the Olympics and paying tribute to NHS workers.

Eastern Daily Press: Lyn Fairchild has helped countless people and causes from her home village Cawston. Here she is with some of the face masks she has been making. Picture: DONNA-LOUISE BISHOPLyn Fairchild has helped countless people and causes from her home village Cawston. Here she is with some of the face masks she has been making. Picture: DONNA-LOUISE BISHOP (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Lyn Fairchild has helped countless people and causes from her home village Cawston. Here is her garden which she decoates for people to enjoy looking at as they walk past.Picture: DONNA-LOUISE BISHOPLyn Fairchild has helped countless people and causes from her home village Cawston. Here is her garden which she decoates for people to enjoy looking at as they walk past.Picture: DONNA-LOUISE BISHOP (Image: Archant)

The village was also quick to respond after a destructive bought of graffitiing at Oakes Playing Field was quickly resolved. People donated more than £250 to remove the spray paint, which was eventually resolved by Cawston Parish Council.

Other entries to make it to the final included Caister-on-Sea, in particular the Norfolk Beach Cleans group. Beach clean-up is run by Norfolk Beach Cleans volunteers and parish councils too.

Eastern Daily Press: Caister on Sea village signCaister on Sea village sign (Image: Archant 2021)

Eastern Daily Press: Caister has made it to the final of the Best Kept competitionCaister has made it to the final of the Best Kept competition (Image: Archant 2021)

The group has also planned for a Norfolk Day clean up and little pick on Caister beach at 4.30pm, meeting at the lifeboat station

And finally, Watton was also listed as a finalist due to the hard work undertaken on a patch of open space on Field Maple Road.

Eastern Daily Press: Watton made the final for its improvements to an outdoor spaceWatton made the final for its improvements to an outdoor space (Image: SOPHIE WELSH)

The winners will receive a plaque to display, £200 worth of plants, and a selection of Norfolk Day goodies. They will be contacted by email.