Chesham Town Council

Impress the Chess

Ramsons growing along side the River ChessImpress the Chess is a partnership between local authorities, conservation bodies and community groups to protect and restore the River Chess, a chalk stream flowing through the town.
 
Chalk streams are important because they are a characteristic feature of the Chilterns. They are also a globally rare habitat, supporting some of our most threatened plants and animals, such as water voles and white-clawed crayfish.
 
However, the River Chess is under threat from low water levels, pollution, habitat destruction and invasive species that can wipe out native species. So Impress the Chess was set up to protect the river as it flows through Chesham. To find out more, why not attend the Impress the Chess Open Forum, held at the Town Hall? The next forum will take place later in 2008 at the Town Hall (the date is yet to be confirmed). Contact the Town Hall for more information, at admin@chesham.gov.uk or by phone on 01494 774842 or in person (Monday to Friday 10 am to 4.30pm).
 
Meades Water Gardens
 
The major project for 2007-08 was the regeneration of Meades Water Gardens. Over £60,000 was raised to convert the silted up pond back to a natural chalk stream habitat. Essential tree work was conducted in March 2007 to increase light levels and improve tree health. The chalk stream was restored in spring 2008, and footpaths were improved, fences upgraded and bridges renovated to improve people’s access to and enjoyment of the site. Whilst only completed in July 2008, the site is already being re-colonised by wildlife, including sticklebacks and freshwater shrimp. The Gardens were officially re-opened on 11th July 2008.
 
The regeneration project was awarded the highly prestigious Environment and Culture Award in the SE England Market Towns Awards 2008. This award recognises innovation, and the regeneration of Meades Water Gardens will be used as best practice for projects in other market towns.
 
 
Water Vole by Andrew ParkinsonWater Voles
 
Water voles are seriously under threat across Britain, being the fastest declining mammal in the country. The Chilterns is no exception; between 2001 and 2003 the local population crashed by 97% due to predation by mink and habitat loss. The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and the Chilterns AONB Chalk Streams Project are working to reverse this decline and Impress the Chess is playing its parts. Part of the work of Impress the Chess is to improve river habitats for water voles in Chesham.
 
Thanks to the many projects across the Chilterns, water vole populations are beginning to recover. The 2007 survey showed a recovery to 32% of the 2001 population on the Chess. Most excitingly for us, water voles were recorded in southern Chesham.
 
Canon’s Mill Foot Bridge
 New foot bridge in Waterside
Along the mill bypass near Canon’s Mill in Waterside, a stretch of the river had been forced underground through a section of pipes to enable a footpath to cross the river. The Impress the Chess project worked with the Environment Agency to get the pipes removed, opening up the river once again. A footbridge was installed in April 2008 to provide uninterrupted footpath access along the by-pass, improving both the river habitat and accessibility.
 
 
Partnership in Action
 
Impress the Chess is a positive example of different organisations working together for the benefit of the environment. Chesham Town Council would like to thank the following partners:
 
Meades Lane Residents Association
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