Britain in Bloom

In 2013, I had finally retired from work and, although I enjoyed a number of hobbies, I felt the need to put something back into Amersham, the town where I have lived for nearly 40 years. I saw an advert looking for volunteers for Amersham in Bloom and it ticked all my boxes. I was a keen gardener and had always been involved in community projects.

“The first year was particularly hard work as there were hardly any volunteers – but I loved every minute.”

Working with Steve Catanach, the group’s co-ordinator, I felt inspired and was delighted when, for the first time in many years, we won Gold at the Britain in Bloom regional awards.

At the beginning of the following year, Barbara joined and although we are very different people, we hit it off straight away. We enjoyed working together, as well as visiting local garden centres for inspiration. Other people began to hear about Bloom and our band of volunteers grew. We now have around 25 lovely people who regularly work together. A couple of times a year we will have a Bloom get together where we can all relax and enjoy each other’s company.

Sadly in 2019, my husband Doug died and in 2020, Barbara’s husband Geoff passed away. Barbara and I supported each other through this difficult period and then through Covid.

“Whenever possible we carried on Blooming – enjoying the fresh air, each other’s company and Barbara’s shortbread!”

We now have a little group of ‘Bubbly Bloomers’, some of whom have also lost their husbands, and from time to time we enjoy lunch together and a glass of fizz. We are a special group, all with a common interest – gardening – and that’s what brought us together.

“Without Bloom, our paths would not have crossed, and friendships would have been missed.”

Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we cry but, most importantly, we support each other and as a team, we are all incredibly proud of our achievements with Amersham in Bloom.