About Us

CEG is a active voluntary group who care for the environment of Chesham. We get involved practically in working to improve it. About once a month a party goes out, usually on a Sunday morning, to carry out some tasks which will really make a difference. As well as the practical work, indoor meetings are called about four times a year to discuss the needs and to plan the work.

Inevitably, much of the work is clearing rubbish and litter that our society too often disposes of unthinkingly. But also the paint brush is used to renovate or to cover graffiti. A major project last year was done in conjunction with the Impress the Chess campaign. The bypass channel which in the past was part of the Cannons Mill waterway was cleared thus allowing a better of flow of water but also to improve the habitat for fish and to allow them to swim upstream.

The best turnout was also for work on the Chess in the upper Moor and near the Amersham roundabout when some 60 volunteers cleared the river, cut back overhanging trees and, of course, pick up many bags of litter. The work was sponsored by local firms who provided a shredder for the tree cuttings (thank you, Chesham Tool Hire) and who paid for a skip (thanks to Affiniti UK, Square Circles, Connect Systems and Buckingham Double Glazing). Chiltern District Council arranged for the removal of the bags of litter. We are always pleased to receive sponsorship from local companies.

Not all the work has been done on the Chess, we have worked with BTCV (a national conservation organisation) on a spring clean in Pond Park, planting bulbs and generally tidying up. Work has been done on the Amersham & Wycombe College campus in Lycrome Road to bring to life a silted up and dead pond which can now be used for environmental education.

We work closely with the Town Council who sponsor our work by allowing us use of the Town Hall for meetings and giving us a grant which covers insurance and some materials. Also work on Town Council land is arranged with the Park and Premises Manager. In return we submit the minutes of our meetings to the Council's Arts and Recreation Committee. (The Group was originally a sub-committee of the Council but it is now independent). A number of local Councillors are also actively involved.

At our indoor meetings we not only plan our work but also receive news of other environmental projects around the Town and act as a forum for exchange of ideas. This led to our biggest attendance in November when nearly 80 people came to hear news of the proposals to change some of the bridleways east of Chesham into BOATS (Byways Open to All Traffic) - at that meeting the Action for Bridleways of Chesham group was founded to fight the proposals.

The Group has won the Chiltern District Council Chairman's Award for community action.

More volunteers are always needed, no special abilities are required. So if you can help either on a one off basis or more regularly do contact us via our Contacts page or by telephoning Ian Freeman on 01494 775798 or 07980 645885.