Councillor's delight at garden dedication

A long-serving Swaffham councillor was overwhelmed when she discovered that a newly-completed garden project had been named in her honour.

A long-serving Swaffham councillor was overwhelmed when she discovered that a newly-completed garden project had been named in her honour.

Anne Greaves, a former member of the town's recreation ground committee, was invited to the secretly-planned opening event at Haspall's Road Recreation Ground.

The garden has been affectionately named 'Anne's Garden' in recognition of the councillor's energy and enthusiasm during many projects over the years.

Mrs Greaves' husband Stan joined town councillors and project workers to spring the surprise, after managing to keep the work carried out by local landscape gardener Noel Powley a secret.

During the unveiling, town mayor Ian Sherwood said: 'Anne and I have an understanding and a mutual respect for each other, going back to when Anne served as a councillor. So I am very pleased to have been invited to mark the opening of a garden in her name.'

In response, Mrs Greaves said: 'I just can't believe it, I am completely overwhelmed by this. I thought I was coming to the Rec for a meeting. It is wonderful and look what they have called it. Stan can't believe you all kept it so quiet and I can't believe it either. I am just speechless - thank you.'

Cllr Greaves is a founder member of the Friends of the Rec group, which put �2,500 towards the garden, with Breckland Council contributing �500 and the town council adding the final �1,000 to the project total of �4,000.

The garden included an obelisk donated by local businessman and former mayor Dave Cannon.