ITV’s This Morning sent a team to Cwmbran yesterday morning to transform the front garden of a 90-year-old resident.
Heather Dibdin was surprised to see a team of 20, led by TV star David Domoney arrive at her front door.
Sarah Adams, her daughter, saw presenters recently tell viewers they were looking for people to nominate someone for a ‘Front Garden Facelift’.
She sent an email and discovered on Monday that her mum’s garden in Coed Lee, Coed Eva, had been chosen.
David arrived with his team a few minutes after 10am on Friday 20 June, telling viewers he’d never stepped foot in the garden and had based his plans on some photos (taken by Sarah) he was shown “36 hours” previously.
He knocked on her door live on TV and Heather opened it saying: “Oh! You are joking me, you are joking me!” She was sent back inside and told to turn her TV off so it’d be a surprise at the end of the show.
Sarah joked: “It’s been a manic week. I’ve lied so much to my mother. I’m never going to heaven.
“It was the best day, she literally loved it. So happy. I saw her afterwards sitting on the bench that they did, talking to her neighbours, laughing. That’s all I wanted.”
The bench features a plaque in memory of Pamela, Heather’s sister, and James Prosser, her grandson, who was killed while serving with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh in Afghanistan in 2009.
Two of James’ friends, Dan Slade and Christie Curran were part of the team that transformed the garden.
Sarah said: “She’s just a lovely human and she’s been there for me all my life, especially when we lost James. She was always just there for me and I wanted something special for my mum.
“I’m so chuffed. She’s on a high right now. It’s something exciting for her and for her to talk about. It was the best to see her so happy and so excited by it.”
Seeing her new garden, Heather said: “Oh my goodness! That’s amazing! I spend so much time sitting in there [her home] and looking out, and before it’s just the grass. This is going to be amazing. This is lovely, it really is, thank you so much.”
The makeover saw over 150 flowers planted. The team also planted two poppies in the garden in remembrance of Heather’s grandson.
Back in the studio after the reveal, Alison Hammond said: “Heather, I’m so glad you got your little bench there and you can enjoy your garden, it’s beautiful.”
“And thanks to that amazing team, what a team for coming out and doing that, thank you so much.”
Dermot O’Leary said: “So lovely David… The poppies are such a nice touch as well.”