Andrew Turner
BBC Radio Norfolk

Image source, Andrew Turner

I was inspired to join the independent Caister Lifeboat, external as a volunteer in August 2009 - a few months after my mother Lorna died. She was a lifelong supporter.

The idea came while working. I’d been out on the lifeboat - not the first time - and the coxswain joked that I was on the boat more often than him!

As a BBC man it means I can't do their publicity or report on anything controversial - but I am allowed to down tools and get on the boat if there’s an emergency.

The call-out comes in the form of four text messages in quick succession, saying "Emergency - Report to Station". Your heart begins to race because you don't know what you're facing.

If you arrive at the shed first you start getting things ready, uncoupling the electrics and opening the doors - and getting into your waterproofs. The boat can't leave the shed without the approval of a launch authority, such as the coxswain, who will make sure risks are assessed.

We've been lucky this year in that it's been relatively quiet. Lockdown meant there were few activities with private pleasure craft and the beaches had been closed, plus this stretch doesn't have the same hazards as North Norfolk or the estuaries of Essex.

For me it's a privilege to be involved. We're a diverse bunch and work as a unit. The team will do everything it can to preserve life, or allow closure by retrieving a loved one who has lost their life.

Martin Barber
BBC News

Cromer cafe owner Robbie Kirtley has been speaking about getting his business back up and running after the lockdown.

Image source, Martin Barber/BBC

He's removed tables and chairs from the inside of the beachfront Rocket House Cafe, been strict on social distancing and has set up an outdoor barbecue for customers who want to eat on the beach.

Another change they have had to bring in is the NHS's coronavirus test and trace system, external, which has been "pretty easy", he said.

"Most people have been good - we’ve had the odd person who hasn’t wanted to give their details and that’s fine - they can go somewhere else," said Mr Kirtley.

"This is what it is, this is how we do it - when you come in you give your name, your number, how many people are on your table and then we seat you.

"It’s worked really well and luckily there have been no incidences of Covid here."

A short while ago we heard from Cromer lifeguard Rob Riches on the dangers of the sea - and he's now been involved in carrying a girl out of the water...

Fran Heriot and family, including her daughter Halle, are visiting from Peterborough for the day.

"Halle got caught by an unexpected wave so we needed just a little help getting out of the water," said Fran.

"We love the beach, how clean it is and having a lifeguard nearby is really important to us as you’ve seen.

"We came last week for the fist time. People are really spaced out on the beach, so it feels like a really safe place to come with your family bubble."

Rob Riches, 20, has worked as an RNLI lifeguard for four seasons in the "really close-knit community".

"I like the responsibility, it’s quite an active job and keeps you fit and on your toes," he said.

"The water is really nice here to swim in [but it's] really easy to overestimate your ability - people get over-confident.

"You can easily spot a weak swimmer and a lot of people just push it and go too far out - people need to know their limitations.

"We do get asked a lot of it’s safe to swim but that’s something you should know yourself. If you’re unsure, just don’t go in."

Martin Barber
BBC News

The owner of a beachfront restaurant has urged people to be "sensible" as they take advantage of the government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Image source, Martin Barber/BBC

Robbie Kirtley, of Cromer's Rocket House Cafe, said it had been exceptionally busy since they reopened, with people eager to snap up the August offer.

"Everyone’s so desperate to get this half-price meal - more or less - so it’s a bit like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - there’s no virus," he said.

"Once they’re told [about anti-coronavirus restrictions] and your staff are on top of it - which mine are - they are respectful, but it’s just to start with they are desperate to get tables and this deal.

"Just trying to keep the public aware of what they need to do is the most important thing."

People needed to take responsibility for their own safety and social distancing, he added, as the virus had not "gone away".

Mr Kirtley said after pouring his "heart and soul" into the business over the last 13 years he had been pleased to return, and had been operating a successful barbecue on the promenade to make up for having to remove some inside tables.

Beach lifeguards say they have seen a rise in antisocial behaviour as lockdown restrictions ease.

Martin Barber
BBC News

The Cromer lifeguard team has been on duty since 10:00 and, so far, there have been no incidents today.

They watch the section of beach between the pier and near to the end of the east promenade.

There are about 100 people in the water, many using body boards, rather than inflatables.

Senior lifeguard Ollie Frere-Smith says there is a light on-shore wind which is causing a small swell and the sea temperature is about 17C (63F).

"The major thing we have to watch for is young kids on body boards as these are the guys most likely to get caught in a rip - which is when you have a body of water moving out to sea from a deeper section of the beach floor," said Mr Frere-Smith.

"[Rips are] often caused when there are waves or man-made structures like groynes... these are generally the more dangerous sections of the beach."

Orla Moore
BBC News

North Norfolk District Council manages 45 miles (72.4km) of coastline, stretching from Holkham in the west to Sea Palling.

It has the highest number of Blue Flag beaches, external for any district authority in the UK - a total of six.

The annual accolade means visitors can expect high water quality, a clean beach, good facilities, toilet provision and a lifeguard on duty.

Council leader Sarah Butikofer says the area is blessed with "huge blue skies, stunning views and wonderful people".

"Everything about north Norfolk is welcoming - there's something for everyone, from our coastline and beaches, to our parks and market towns," she said. "We have a little bit of everything."

Early surfers and walkers made the most of an almost deserted beach at the start of the day.

Martin Barber
BBC News

"Even an Olympic swimmer won't get out of a rip [tide]," said Lisa Dawson, an interior designer from Aylsham who's visiting Cromer to surf.

"Conditions today are perfect. Nice one to two foot swell. Always surf with a buddy for safety," said the surfer, who used to ride the waves in Australia.

"Surf etiquette is something we really want to educate people about - only one person in a wave - if somebody is already in it, give way.

"Cromer is a nice safe break with a mostly sandy beach bottom - other areas can be more flinty.

"And you’ve got lifeguards here too... not to mention to mention great coffee when you come out.

"You need to look where the rips are, but you need to understand them. Don’t go out of your depth and know your limits. I never go out in conditions I don’t feel safe in."

• The Eastern Daily Press reports on how villagers are urging beach-goers to take their rubbish home, external due to an "unprecedented amount" of litter
• The Echo tells how a Westcliff man is campaigning to create a year-long dog friendly beach, external
• The East Anglian Daily Times reveals 70 jobs are due to be axed at an Ipswich-based cruise firm, external

Martin Barber
BBC News

Andrew Webster, 36, has been a crab fisherman since he left school 20 years ago.

He's already been out at 04:00 and back to shore with his pots and today's catch included crab and lobster.

He supplies a couple of shops - one here and one in Sheringham - and Jonas Seafoods fishermen and wholesalers in Cromer.

"From catch to cooked and on sale it’s less than 24 hours," he said.

He said a "big part of our market" was hit by the closure of restaurants during the lockdown here and abroad.

Pre-Covid, lobster was £18 a kilo and "in 24 hrs it went down to about £9 - much of the export is to Spain".

He said: "It's great to see towns busy again - good for selling but will it be a bad thing in two or three months time."

Orla Moore
BBC Local Live

Beachgoers have been reminded of the dangers of rip currents this week after the death of a mother-of-two at Waxham in Norfolk.

Danielle Chilvers, 37, died on Sunday after trying to rescue her youngest son and his friend who had got into difficulty.

Tony Garbutt of HM Coastguard warned about attempting to rescue others.

"Cold water shock will kill you and that's what's happening," he said.

"You get fatigued very quickly and you get overcome and that's when people get into tragic circumstances."

Martin Barber
BBC News

Ian English, from Flitwick in Bedfordshire is in Cromer for the week with his family.

He found some old postcards of Cromer and his mission is to take photographs of the same locations as they are today.

"I've been coming here for last 15-20 years... love the beach and surrounding area and you can’t not like the crabbing boats when they are coming in.

"We’re so impressed with the cafes and shops in the way they are looking after post-lockdown visitors."

Today our reporters are going to be mainly based in two coastal resorts 100 miles apart in the East of England: Cromer in Norfolk and Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.

Both towns are known for their Victorian piers, with Clacton's (360m or 1,180ft) stretching more than twice the length of Cromer's (151m or 495ft).

And both are blessed with extensive sandy beaches that attract thousands of visitors every year.

Clacton has a population of almost 57,000 - and Cromer has almost 7,700 residents.

Martin Barber
BBC News

Tracey Cornwell, who moved to Cromer from Suffolk six years ago, was taking a breakfast time walk with her fox terrier Grady and has concerns about litter.

"It’s so peaceful at this time of the day - you just can’t beat it. It’s glorious," she said.

"It’s good to see people are visiting - but please take your rubbish home."

As well as the 15 RNLI lifeboat stations between Hunstanton and Southend, there are five independent volunteer teams keeping people safe:

• Caister Lifeboat, external
• Mundesley Volunteer Inshore Lifeboat, external
• Sea Palling Volunteer Rescue, external
• Felixstowe Coast Patrol, external
• Hemsby Inshore Rescue, external

Image source, Hemsby Inshore Lifeboat

Orla Moore
BBC News

Image source, Getty Images

No mention of Cromer and its RNLI legacy is complete without a nod to Henry Blogg, the town's most famous son of the sea.

Blogg is the most decorated lifeboatman, external in RNLI history, serving Cromer's lifeboats for 53 years.

Image source, RNLI

He was awarded many honours, including three Gold and four Silver Medals from the RNLI, the George Cross for general war service - and a British Empire Medal.

He is credited with taking part in 387 rescues and saving 873 lives in the North Sea, before retiring in 1947.

A museum was founded in his honour in Cromer and he is commemorated with a bronze bust on the cliff top.

As lockdown restrictions ease, we look at the issues affecting the coast and those who work there.

We're spending the day looking at the issues affecting the East of England coast in the wake of the easing of lockdown restrictions.

We have reporters in Cromer in Norfolk and Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, and will be bringing you news and snapshots from the rest of the coast as well.

Martin Barber, our reporter in Cromer, said there is a "warmth in the air with a gentle breeze coming off a calm sea".

If you've got an issue you think should be highlighted, you can email us, or reach us via Facebook, external, Instagram, external and Twitter, external.