Keith Worsencraft started caving with the Eldon Potholing club in 1957. In the first of four interviews he talks about the early years of the club, meeting the famous French speleologist, Norbert Casteret at the Nottingham Goose Fair, and taking part in a conference on Caving in France in 1959.
You Tube link to Caving in Buxton - Part One The Early Years
The latest in our series of interviews about people's memories of Buxton and its surroundings. To watch the video and hear the interview click below.
If you have some memories of Buxton, Burbage, Fairfield, or Harpur Hill please contact us by email, communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk
Link to you tube Burbage and the Beet - Bess Barton talks to Alan Roberts
Congratulations to the Serpentine Community Farm on celebrating their first AGM in the most appropriate way.
Janine Morris writes;
"A lovely Apple Day was held at the Serpentine Community Farm on 18th September complemented by the balmy autumn weather. A good number of people dropped in to say hello, including folk just passing through the park as well as members and dedicated volunteers.
Martin Stokes, was a welcome addition to the day, with his fine selection of apple varieties on sale. Apples were pressed with gusto, thanks to the loan of the apple press from Bamford Quaker Community.
The day concluded with our first General Meeting. Two new Directors were appointed and members were updated on the progress made in the previous year, including the renovation of the greenhouse to its former glory, the installation of a new Poly-tunnel, raised beds and cold frames to boost productive growing space, as well as the near completion of the compost toilet.
We updated the success of various projects including the highly successful Grow Wild project with Buxton & Leek College students.
All of the progress made at the site could not have been possible without the all the amazing volunteer help along the way, including our weekly visits from Alderbrook and all the individuals and teams who have dropped in to help, and continue to do so. Here’s to another productive year down at the Farm!"
Joan Hibbert writes:
The Buxton Group was formed in late 1991 in response to the evacuation of the Crescent earlier that year. Initially our aim was to campaign for the future of the building. His Grace the Duke of Devonshire became our Patron. With the help of a petition presented to Parliament, English Heritage stepped in and the fabric of the building was saved from further dereliction.
The Buxton Group soon took on a wider range of issues in the town. We have campaigned for and supported measures which improve conditions for those living in, working in and visiting the town of Buxton. We monitor, comment on and constructively criticise planning applications and have written to object to several major inappropriate proposed building projects.
We instigated the restoration of the Taylor (Children’s) Well, now situated at the junction of Terrace Road and Spring Gardens and gave a donation. Our group were instrumental in establishing the High Peak Health forum to resist closure of the Devonshire Hospital and pressed for improvements to the health provision in the town. We have written to stress the importance of Buxton retaining an ambulance and fire station and supported keeping the Minor Injuries department open. Our group continue to monitor the condition of the Pavilion Gardens buildings and have met with the Council to discuss our concerns and press for action.
We have close links to the Civic Association, Vision Buxton, Friends of the Pavilion Gardens and the Town Team. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm at the Old Hall Hotel, to discuss and take necessary and appropriate action on what is happening in our town. Members are very welcome to attend these meetings, or you can just become a member to show your support.
IF YOU CARE ABOUT OUR TOWN AND IT’S FUTURE, PLEASE COME AND JOIN US
Membership Secretary- David Morten davidmorten@talktalk.net- please contact for joining details
or
Joanne Hibbert -Chair joanne.hibbert37@gmail.com
Another excellent result for the town in the East Midlands in Bloom. Achieving a silver gilt for the second year running. Claire Millard from the Buxton in Bloom team thanked all the individuals and organisations that had been involved. Commenting on the achievement she said;
" Again the town did really well thanks to your support, sponsorship, enthusiasm and hard work! We increased our marks in each of the three categories of horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation and were awarded 160 points out of 200."
Poole's Cavern and Country Park was mentioned in the judges report. They were particularly impressed with the wildflower glades and the sculptures.
The recent report in the Guardian and on the BBC Today programme (10th October 2016) of an overall decline in the number of Butterflies observed in nationwide surveys has been bucked, according to the early results in from BCA's Grinlow Butterfly Survey.
Steve Orridge, who heads up the survey team, reported that not only were numbers of butterflies seen during the survey up on last years figures, the number of species surveyed had also increased.
"We are clearly seeing the benefits that the forest ride brings to the woods as well as the importance of the glades. The increase light and variety of plant species is hugely beneficial to the butterflies." Steve went on " This is only the second year of the survey , but already it is giving us important feedback and information on the health and well-being of the woods."
Peter Philipson, BCA Director with responsibility for the woods also commented "The wildflowers in the glades have been fantastic this year, and this has contributed to the increase in numbers of butterflies and other insect species. A key part of our Woodland Management Plan is to support the increase in Bio-diversity and it would appear that the survey results show this to be working."
A full report on the 2016 survey will be available later in the year. If anyone is interested in helping out with the 2017 survey, please email us at contact@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk
Alan Roberts talks to Bill Norton about some of Bill's memories of Burbage in particular the flood in the early seventies when flood water backed up in one of the old mining levels and turned the river orange with Ocher.
One of the houses in Burbage mentioned by Bill. the house is no longer there.
Alan Roberts in conversation with Bill Norton - part 1 The Burbage Ocher Flood
Dear BCA Member,
As part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations we are proposing to commission a short film to both celebrate the achievements and successes of BCA over the past 50 years and to set out a vision for the future.
We are holding a meeting on Thursday 6.00pm on the 29th September in the School Room at Poole's Cavern Visitor Centre open to all members to gather ideas and suggestions and to give members who would like to be involved the opportunity to do so.
If you are interested in attending or if you would like to be involved but cannot make the 29th September can you please email me at communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk and make the subject header BCA FILM.
Best Regards
Simon Fussell
