The Amersham Area Protests!

If the Amersham area ever gets a mention by the national media, it is usually described as a quiet market town, or commuter town or sleepy rural community in the heart of Bucks.

But recently, the residents of the Amersham area have taken steps to have their views heard

Chesham Bois Post Office

In August 2002 the Post Office announced that it would not be renewing the contract at the Chesham Bois post office, which would thus close. The Post Office claimed that the area is served by other post offices in Amersham and Chesham, despite there being little close parking at these other post offices and poor public transport to them. A local campaign was launched to fight the closure.

Chesham Bois Post Office Jan 03

The campaign was led by Chesham Bois Parish Council (web site here and local councillor Mimi Harker.

The campaign included well supported petitions, protests outside the Post Office's head quarters in St. Albans, protest walks from the Chesham Bois Post Office to the Post Offices in Amersham and Amersham Common, local MP Cheryl Gillan raising the issue with the Post Office and in Parliament, a large local press campaign, a petition publicly handed in at Downing Street, a report on BBC TV's local news programme, coverage on local and BBC national radio and articles in the Sunday Telegraph and Mail on Sunday.

Unfortunately, it seems the Chesham Bois Post Office still closed in early 2003.

The Pension Demonstration

On Saturday 29 June 2002, The Council Tax Action Group (CTAG) invited people to hold a short, peaceful, demonstration outside the Amersham offices of Chiltern District Council. The objective of the demonstration was to emphasise to CDC Councillors the concerns of the general public that their views were not being listened to by those who were elected to represent them. The intention of the demonstration was to show support for CTAG’s objection to local tax increases due to incompetence in managing the BCC Pension Fund, and to express dissatisfaction in the manner that CDC Councillors are handling some local community issues.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the issue, the demonstration that took place was probably the largest demonstration held in Amersham for many years.


People gather outside the council offices	The press take pictures for the local paper
	Chris Mellor, leader of the Council Tax Action Group - CTAG, addressed those present. In summary he explained there was much confusion over the figures involved in the issue. He believed that by keeping up the pressure, the public could cause change. He urged those present to write to the Prime Minister and to view the Audit Report on the BCC Pension Fund. CTAG have a web site here
Chris Mellor addresses the demonstration



My estimate of the number present is about 300	The meeting lasted 15 minutes

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