A group of A-Level students from Chesham have joined forces to start their own candle-making business amid Covid restrictions.

Forced to spend the majority of the past year at home because of the pandemic, the Chesham Grammar School (CGS) students, led by Michael Pearson, wanted to create a sustainable product which “promoted wellbeing and mindfulness”.

As part of the Young Enterprise scheme, the nine students identified that the market for scented candles went up by 29 per cent during the first lockdown.

They said they were also aware that anxiety levels were on the increase, particularly among young people.

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The group created Tranquilitea Candles, which are handmade, soy wax candles inside a recycled ceramic teacup – but they were unable to meet in person to make them together due to Covid restrictions, so they met over Zoom, with five of them turning their kitchens into candle workshops.

Team member Lola Bailey said: “This hasn’t always gone down well with my parents as wax is particularly difficult to clear up.”

While they have not been able to sell their candles at markets or in shops as planned, they have been able to sell them online.

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Miss Bailey added: “We are very grateful for the help and encouragement we have already received from CGS parents and teachers but would greatly appreciate more support.

“If you have any spare teacups, we would gladly accept any donations so that they can be turned into lovingly handcrafted candles.”

Visit www.ye-tradingstation.org.uk/company/2703 to find out more.