The Great Burbage Ocher Flood

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.

Alan Roberts in conversation with Bill Norton - part 1 The Burbage Ocher Flood

Meeting to discuss Film to celebrate BCA 50th Anniversary

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

Late Summer wildflowers on Top Glade Grinlow Wood

Peter Philipson BCA director took these photographs of the wildflower glades over the course of the summer. They look absolutely stunning.

The pictures show Grass of Parnassus & dwarf willow in Top glade, Grin Low Wood

What is rewilding? Helen Meech (Director of Rewilding Britain) talks to BBC Breakfast

It’s not about abandoning land or reducing biodiversity... Rewilding Britain director, Helen Meech, appeared on the famous BBC Breakfast red sofa to discuss 'Wild Britain' with Ross Murray, Country Land & Business Association, and Robin Milton, NFU.

BBC TV Rewilding Britain

Coal Mines of Buxton

On 8th September Buxton Civic Association helped celebrate the national Heritage Open Days by offering a guided walk around the coal mines of Buxton.

Despite a drizzly start the sun and a cooling breeze provided perfect conditions for our explorations on Burbage Moor. Fourteen visitors met at Poole’s Cavern, all booted and clad for the occasion. Before setting off, Alan Roberts and Lyn Noble set the scene by describing the historical and geological context of the coalfield. One group member had fond memories of BCA’s first coal mines walk which took place in “monsoon conditions”!

The walk started at Level Lane on Macclesfield Old Road, named after an 1803 mine “level” which was driven from this point. Then a fight with a few nettles and a steep climb to the moor to the location of an earlier level (1754), with remains of horse drawn tramways and coke ovens and rail sidings from a later period.

The top of Macclesfield Old Road provided an excellent view over the upper Goyt Valley and its extensive coal workings then back to the Axe Edge footpath where we examined air shafts to the levels beneath and speculated about the purpose of the “Buckett Engine Pits”.

Finally, down through an area of early shallow pits dating back to the 17th and early 18th Centuries and back to the cars. The sun continued to shine and the smiling faces (and aching legs) said it all.

Stop the Rot - How Liverpool City Council protects its historic Buildings

Keeping historic buildings in good repair is the key to their preservation. Local authorities can take action to secure repair when a building is allowed to deteriorate by its owners. Find out how Liverpool Council has been able to ‘stop the rot’ in the city.

Have a look at the video below to see how LCC go about the task of protecting their historic building stock.

Stop the Rot

Exhibition at the Green Man Gallery 30th September to 26th October 2016

Corbar Hill, topped by its iconic cross, is one of Buxton’s most imposing landmarks. In 2015, keen photographer Terry Richardson, facing a family tragedy, made the short ascent to its 1,433ft summit virtually every day. His images capture the austere grandeur of this unique location in all weathers and seasons.

A fundraising exhibition in aid of Blythe House Hospice, Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Launch event on Friday 30th September from 7pm to 9pm. All welcome.

The Green Man Gallery
Hardwick Hall
Hardwick Square South
Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6PY

The Serpentine Community Farm Buxton are looking to appoint someone to help with the Serpentine Community Farm. Full details of the role, including contact details can be found below.

THE ROLE - We are looking to appoint an individual (or 2 people on a job share arrangement) who has the skills, time and commitment to help us with the planning, sowing, planting, growing and selling of organic produce from the Serpentine Community Farm. You will have experience in growing vegetables but more importantly will have the time to dedicate at least 14 hours a week (during Spring, Summer and Autumn) to the role. You will also have a keen interest in working with the local community.

Because we are in the developmental stages of the project, the role is currently unpaid. However, you are free to "pick your own" and use the produce grown on the site (within reason!). This role will be suitable for someone who is seeking to develop their existing horticultural and organisational skills.

Specific responsibilities will include:

* Developing and implementing a yearly planting plan (including crop rotation) for the site.
* Purchasing seeds and plants.
* Taking decisions about sowing, potting on and planting out.
* Developing monthly work plans for the volunteers.
* Managing plant health and the hygiene of the greenhouse and the poly tunnels and raised beds.
* Understanding how produce can be used.
* Identifying and building client relationships with our customers.
* Delivery of produce to customers.
* Weighing and pricing produce.
* Using our accounting process.

ABOUT US - Serpentine Community Farm (SCF) is a Community Interest Company. We are transforming SCF into a community resource for the people of Buxton (and the surrounding area), to develop and enhance their horticultural skills and knowledge. Our aim is to showcase all aspects of the sustainable food cycle, growing, harvesting, preserving, cooking etc.

OUR VALUES - SCF works on the principles of sustainability and protecting the environment. This means that we:

* grow produce on organic principles, without chemical additives;
* source materials as locally as possible and recycle resources when we can;
* Improve the biodiversity of the site by growing plants, including native wild flowers that are beneficial to insects and will create a habitat that encourages wildlife and insects to flourish.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS - Please do get in touch with us, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us through these channels:

* www.serpentinecommunityfarm.org
* www.facebook.com/serpentineprojectbuxton
* twitter.com/Serpentine Farm
* Janine 07752368358

BBC Radio 4 are broadcasting a five part series on invasive foreign species.

"The grey squirrel is considered one of the worlds greatest natural invaders. It's been on UK shores for over a hundred years and it's two million strong population dwarfs that of our native red squirrel. It is maligned by many, but does the grey squirrel deserve its reputation as an unstoppable invader? Derek Mooney intends to find out."

Text from BBC Radio 4 Nature's Great Invaders

We have a link to the programme below.

Radio 4 The Foreign Invaders - The Grey Squirrel