Chesham 2 - St Neots 0

In the past people have been far too quick to talk down Chesham, as a sleepy backwater full of urbane degenerates. More recently though I've noticed that the town has begun to have a bit of a spring in its step, a certain vibrancy and positivity within its population which could really make it into something special in the future. The people of Chesham never used to know how lucky they were, and now they are beginning to realize and it feels great. So i'm going to take a quick look at a few things that Chesham does really well.

Community

There may be several distinct area in Chesham but each has its own personality and each belongs to Chesham. Collectively there are some real positive things going on, Be it my own Community Orchard project, The Pop-Up restaurant, The Art shop, Local food market, Carnival, Transition town. The list is literally endless and full of people getting together to do something fun locally. None of these activities cost the earth, and they aren't essential but that's whats good about them. They all are generated from the ground up, and they are led by local people who just want to do something locally. We're not short of local heroes either, you don't have to look to hard to bump into someone doing something good locally, and you know what it makes a difference. The local facilities too are good We have our own Library, 2 swimming pools and a number of local community halls. The churches and mosques are open and inclusive and together they pull together in the name of Chesham. I've even heard rumors of something awesome happening on the High street on the 12th at 1pm, involving foxes perhaps? Something that St Neots can only dream of.

Sport

Who'd of thought it but even from a sporting perspective things are on the up At the weekend the mighty Generals beat St Neots 2 Nil to stretch the unbeaten run to 11 games, we have a fairly decent cricket club a brilliant community focused rugby club not to mention a burgeoning Bowls league that St Neots can only dream of. International sport too finds its home in Chesham, this year stage 6 of the Tour of Britain brings the worlds best cyclists to our doorstep. Hands down we beat St Neots int he sporting department.

Commercial activities

Now here you must all think St Neots has a chance but you know what its blown out of the water. OK we don't have a McDonalds, a KFC, or a pizza Express. OK, so all the chain stores don't see value in our little high street and you won't find an M&S in our town, but you know what? We don't need any of that rubbish, they are what kills a high street and makes it just like any other so if you do want a New Look go ahead move to St Neots, We'll keep our Butcher, Baker and our Candlestick maker. Does St Neots have a brewery shop? No, what about 2 different markets? A cobbled High Street that kids can run around and enjoy themselves with ease? Ok so we have a few too many charity shops and not enough restaurants, but even our charity shops are good, well stocked and with lots of rich peoples cast offs. So what if we're a quiet Waitrose Town but at least you can do your shopping in piece. There are also some hidden gems in Chesham too that only the aficionados would discover, How about a bit Chiltern ridge apple juice for  Or Auberge de Chocolate, which make high class chocolaty goodness right on our doorstep. We've even got an entirely fictional bus service. So St Neots Do your worst what have you got that our high street doesn't?

Environment

So St Neots, Here is our trump card, does the Abbreviation AONB mean anything to you? Whats that you say your nearest bit of natural eye candy is the Norfolk broads? HA! I laugh in you general direction. Chesham is Beautiful Its official it is right next to An Area Of Natural Beauty, and a natural gateway to the Chilterns which is internationally recognized as a natural haven, right on the edge of one of the worlds greatest Cities, (No St Neots 60 miles is not close and Cambridge isn't that great). Not only do we have Red Kites everywhere, but we have several endangered and special species both of flowers, and animals, including a Butterflies which you only get on chalk aquifers. If your anywhere in Chesham I could spin you around and set you off in a straight line and within 5 minutes you would be in a natural wonder with vistas worthy of the lake district or the Highlands, and all of this is a well kept secret so you don't get overwhelmed with tourists, Other than the odd coach load of DofE students.

Killer Fact

I could go on about the History, the People, the gardens, not to mention the Beer. But i'll leave all that for later posts, so for now I'll leave you with one last Killer Fact and a challenge to St Neots. So the killer fact on why Chesham trounces St Neots is Lama's! Go on St Neots Show me the Lama*!

* This actual Lama is not actually a resident of Chesham, The real ones are a little camera Shy.