Impress the Chess
Impress 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. We hold two meetings a year, one of which comprises a summer walk along the river. The next forum will take place in early 2011. See the Open Forum page for more information or 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).
Read about these successful Impress the Chess projects:
You can also download a copy of our
Action Plan 2008-11 (PDF, 55 KB) to see our current activities and planned works.
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
You can find out more about the threats facing English chalk streams by watching the WWF's video '
Rivers On the Edge'.