Amersham in Bloom 2010
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Amersham In Bloom 2010
Amersham In Bloom 'Design a Flower Bed' Competition
With spring just around the corner plans are underway to prepare for Amersham in Bloom 2010, this year celebrating the year of biodiversity.
Schools in Amersham were invited to take part in the ‘Design a Flower Bed’ competition, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Amersham. Entries were judged by Cllr Aitken of the Amersham In Bloom Committee, Park Superintendent Mark Richardson and four Rotary representatives (Chalmers Cursley, Derek Bryant, Pat Armstrong & Allan Childs).
We are pleased to announce that the winners of the competition are Thomas Fleetwood-Law & Amelia Moy (St Mary’s Church of England School) and Sophia Harvey (Chestnut Lane School). Each winner will be presented with a certificate and £50 prize for their school, as donated by Amersham Rotary Club. Amersham School will have the honour of seeing their floral design reproduced in the St Mary’s Churchyard in Old Amersham.
Derek Bryant, Allan Childs & Chalmers Cursley, of Amersham Rotary Club, display the chosen designs from the schools flowerbed competition.
Community News; Background to Date Extracts from RHS Judges Report & Press Coverage 2009
Local Competition Winners Future Plans for 2010
2009 Awards:
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Thames & Chiltern Regional Gold Award
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Winner in Best Town Category
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Winner of Best Portfolio of Work
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Winner of Mark Mattock Cup
(Best School in Region (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire))
Community News; Background to Date Back to top
In 2007, Amersham Town Council set up a working party to submit an entry into “Britain in Bloom”, under the Royal Horticultural Society guidelines.
Britain in Bloom is one of the largest horticultural campaigns in Europe working year-round to create a cleaner and greener Britain through community action. Participants can earn top marks in horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.
In our first year, with just 8 weeks preparation, we achieved a SILVER Award. This experience, albeit shortlived, enabled us to realise that to improve the high standards we set, it was essential to get additional community support and involvement. This support would help to improve Amersham and help to develop both social cohesion and civic pride. This would benefit the community and visitors alike.
In 2008, Cllr Ros Aitken and her growing working party dedicated a vast amount of effort and time getting more volunteers involved and putting the greatest emphasis on the community;- most notably Schools & Businesses. These efforts were rewarded with Amersham gaining a SILVER GILT. The Royal Horticultural Society recognised the improvements that were made in Amersham.
On to 2009, the Amersham in Bloom committee recruited more volunteers and encouraged the community to become involved in conservation projects. The Mayor organised a cleanup day which was very well supported by over 50 volunteers. Schools were also encouraged to participate which proved very rewarding and helped them understand the need to take care of the environment.
The efforts during 2009 resulted in Amersham receiving the GOLD AWARD and the regional winner’s trophy in the Best Town Category. Amersham also won the award for the best presented portfolio and the prestigious Mark Mattock Cup for Best School went to Chestnut Lane School. This proved quite an achievement beating off competition from entrants from the wider area of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxon.
An extract from the RHS judges report sums up all our efforts, “There was a good mix of residential, education, community spirit and business, and there is much evidence of strong publicity, together with community involvement, enthusiasm and friendliness from all involved making Amersham a joy to judge.”
Our aim for the future and the basis for our 2010 entry, is to improve our Town’s environment for the benefit of all the community.
Future Plans for 2010 Back to top
Our consistency comes from the fact that we have never sought to impress the judges with any artificial enhancement, WE HAVE improved, and will continue to improve our Town’s environment for the benefit of all the community.
The competition results are important but they only play a small part in terms of what we are trying to achieve. Hopefully, this prestigious award will trigger even more interest and encourage active community participation for 2010. When you see the memorial gardens in full bloom and you notice the beautiful hanging baskets displayed in the Town, you just know that we have made a difference.
We are delighted to announce that in September 2010, Amersham have been chosen to host the RHS Regional Award Presentations. It is important that we don’t rest on our laurels, so please let’s continue with all the good work and maintain the high standards. We are actively looking for sponsorship or sponsors to help us maintain Amersham’s GOLD STANDARD. The difference it makes to our town is tremendous – Well Done Amersham! 
To maintain the high standards we have set, we need YOUR help, we need YOUR support. If you are interested in getting involved with any aspect of the AMERSHAM in BLOOM project or you would like a full copy of the Judges Report or press releases, please drop a line by email to
Cllr Ros Aitken @ amershaminbloom@btinternet.com or
Amersham Town Council info@amersham-tc-gov.uk
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