Working with Schools
Blooming Schools Competition
To inspire the next generation to ‘get blooming’, we run an annual schools’ competition. We invited all our local schools - 13 in total - to participate, and to our delight in both 2025 and 2026 we attracted entries from 6 schools. A pair of seasoned Chesham in Bloom volunteers visited each school with a checklist, grading the entries, offering advice and speaking to pupils. The judges were very impressed by the children’s horticultural knowledge and passion for gardening. This year’s winners have yet to be announced, but the 2025 competition culminated in a stand-out moment from the past year, when Chesham in Bloom held its AGM and school prizegiving in September. Representatives other community groups and all 6 participating schools were in attendance, and the room was packed
It was a close-run competition but Chartridge Combined School was awarded the winning trophy by our Chairman, Cllr. Mo Fayyaz BEM
Planting seen at Heritage House School.
A hanging basket created by young learners at Brushwood School.
Working with Schools
Some of our volunteers also work closely with schools as encouragers or gardening club leaders. One of our team, Clare, works at Heritage House School which is a specialist setting for young people with learning difficulties. Some of the older pupils regularly visit Chesham on a Tuesday, when they help to look after two planters on the High Street.
Working closely with one of the class teachers, four of our volunteers have been supporting the creation of a pond and wildflower and vegetable area at Elmtree Infant School. Together with the staff member, three of our team started a Tuesday gardening club in April. They have helped pupils sow seeds, create a sensory planting area and make a bug hotel. The volunteers keep a journal chronicling gardening club’s weekly activities. Elmtree has just achieved an Eco-Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction. The feedback report credits the help provided by Chesham in Bloom.
A letter of thanks addressed to Chesham in Bloom from Elmtree Infant School’s Headteacher, received in September 2025.
Establishing New Links with Schools
Chesham in Bloom was approached by a trainee preschool teacher at Newtown Infant School. She was looking for help to make the preschool outdoor area a bit greener; it is in a very urban setting. She was also looking for support with a planting session to complement the class topic of ‘growing things’. Two of our volunteers made repeat visits to the school during the spring, sharing planting suggestions and a home-grown variegated grass. Our volunteers helped the young pupils plant potatoes, beetroot, lettuce, peas, dwarf French beans and radish. More visits are planned.
Planting in the preschool area at Newtown Infant School
Working with Cubs
We were also contacted by the leader of 1 Chesham Cubs, asking whether the Cubs could support our volunteers with any gardening during the time when their club usually meets. Janet, our volunteer who looks after the Town Bridge planters, left some gaps for the Cubs to fill. Three Bloomers supported a group of Cubs and their leaders, not only managing to plug the gaps left at Town Bridge, but also transforming the stone planters outside Care Chairs.
Town Bridge - before and after
Care Chairs - before and after
Adding Signs to our Planters
We have moved away from using stakes in most of our beds and planters, as these can become unstable and fall over, flattening plants. Instead, we are now screwing our plaques directly onto our planters. This helps raise awareness of our group, promotes a sense of ownership amongst volunteers and it is a way to thank our supporters and promote Plastic Free Chesham. We have also replaced waterlogged plastic signs on the Heritage House planters with more durable metal ones.
Some of the new signs