Hilgay launches gnome amnesty for unloved ornaments

For those in the second camp, a Norfolk village has just the thing.

A gnome amnesty has been launched in Hilgay, near Downham Market, for people to hand over their unloved garden ornaments.

The objects are then restored before being offered for sale, to raise money for a local charity.

The scheme has been launched by Ali Dent, a semi-retired shopkeeper.

"People have been bringing them to my house and leaving them outside when I'm not here," he said. "A bloke came the other day and left 25 of them.

"I must have well over 50 now. They can take a while to do but that does vary.

"My grandson's been coming along to give me a hand, Harry, he's about nine.

Some of the gnomes after Ali Dent has given them a lick of fresh paint (Image: Chris Bishop)

"You've just got to get the right colours, that's the important thing."

Gnomes of all shapes and sizes are now waiting for their new homes, along with an assortment of animals, planters and bird baths.

There is also a growing to-do pile outside Mr Dent's house on Stocks Hill.

Ali Dent with a large re-purposed garden frog (Image: Chris Bishop)

Mr Dent, 65, ran the village shop and butcher's before retiring last summer.

He then partially "un-retired" and now opens a couple of days a week.

He has been running a charity book sale in Hilgay Village Hall for around 40 years, raising more than £120,000 for charities including the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, the Stroke Association and Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Restored gnomes and garden characters who will be going on sale for charity (Image: Chris Bishop)

In 2006, he was made an MBE in recognition of his community efforts, which have also included charity duck and raft races on the River Wissey near his home.

This October's sale, on the 22nd - which will see the gnomes up for sale - will be in aid of the Norfolk Hospice, with donated books sorted and categorised by Lesley Dent and Tony Hall.