Community Clean Up Day April 2010 Back to top

Despite the rain, Amersham Town Council were delighted to welcome over 100 volunteers to help tidy Amersham in the third annual Community Clean up Day.

Members of the Girl Guides; residents; students; Thames Valley Police and Town Councilors turned out to litter pick and clean up the streets. We collected sacks of general waste; recyclable waste; glass; plastic/aluminum; two discarded road signs; 4 shopping trolleys; 2 ironing boards; one bike and lots of other old metal …!

Amersham in Transition volunteers helped by handing out green bags for re-cyclables and then sorting any re-cycling at the end of the litter pick into bags kindly supplied by Easts. These bags were then taken to the Recycling centre.  Approximately 20 bags were filled!  With 2010 being The Year of Biodiversity we realised the necessity not just to collect the litter but also the importance or recycling it!

Volunteers received a drink donated by Tesco; a Certificate of Thanks and a free Prize Draw ticket to win a selection of prizes kindly donated by local businesses such as Seasons Café & Deli, Amersham Glass and Jay’s Newsagents.

Amersham in Bloom coordinator: Cllr Ros Aitken said: “It was a fantastic morning – even though the weather was not perfect. Thanks very much to everyone involved, the day was a wonderful success and it was a great preparation for our Britain in Bloom Entry.”

Last year Amersham won the GOLD AWARD in the national competition and will be hosting the prestigious Awards Ceremony at the end of September.

If you have any enquiries please contact Amersham Town Council on 01494 586892 or email info@amersham-tc.gov.uk. 

Future Plans 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

2009 Awards:  Back to top

• Thames & Chiltern Regional Gold Award
• Winner in Best Town Category
• Winner of Best Portfolio of Work

• 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. 

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