THANK YOU to Steve Catanach, joint Parish Clerk at Amersham Town Council and lead on Amersham’s incredibly successful Amersham in Bloom.

Steve met two of PCA’s Committee members, Graham Cross and Robert Gibson, for an hour yesterday. He generously shared his experience, answering our questions and discussing the route which took Amersham from just a handful of volunteers in 2014 to Britain in Bloom overall champions in 2022.

Steve’s observations will be invaluable to PCA’s work in and around Prestwood. In particular, he shared insights into the early days, when support for this new scheme from volunteers, traders and even his own Councillors had to be hard won. His advice was to focus on the possible, and to concentrate first on projects and areas which will display to as wide a range of residents that change is afoot.

Amersham in Bloom’s results have demonstrated the positive impact of working as a community, involving the Council, volunteers of all ages, schools, businesses, community groups etc.

The picture shows Steve with the 2024 RHS Carew Pole Community Award, “awarded to those that have made an outstanding contribution to a community gardening programme over a period of time that brings value to the wider community”.

PCA’s own ‘Bloom’ work is viewed as central to its long term aspirations for the community of Prestwood. Residents keen to join us on this journey are invited to e-mail bloom@prestwoodcommunity.uk