A quarter of a million reasons to be grateful at the start of 2024

Buxton Civic Association is delighted to announce that they will receive support totalling £249, 990 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s ‘Resilience and Recovery’ funding stream over the next two years. This investment will enable Buxton’s leading environmental heritage charity to begin preparations for its diamond anniversary in 2027, by enhancing their volunteering, visitor, and membership programmes, giving further emphasis to developing widespread community involvement and public engagement. The money will also enable reviews of digital provision, marketing, retail, and governance, allowing the BCA team to bring in two full-time project staff to support tasks, alongside a variety of expert consultants. Much needed conservation equipment and materials will also be purchased.

David Green, who wrote the funding application shortly after joining the charity as its first Chief Executive in 2023 said, “We are very grateful to everyone at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and all National Lottery players for their support. This money should be seen as a much-welcomed strategic investment in heritage conservation and engagement within our community.” He added, “The investment is a hugely exciting opportunity for Buxton Civic Association, and the residents of Buxton, who we are encouraging to get involved. Over the next two years we will be developing a number of new ways individuals and partner organisations will be able to help conserve our town’s heritage, maintaining Buxton as a special and popular place. We are really keen that we use this opportunity to grow our relevance to local residents, and celebrate our fantastic natural and built heritage”.


Robyn Llewellyn, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “Heritage has an essential role to play in making communities better places to live and supporting environmental regeneration. At The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we want to ensure that heritage is valued, cared for and sustained by everyone now and in the future. We are pleased to be able to lend our support to Buxton Civic Association with the development of their programming and conservation of their local heritage, which will be crucial for Buxton and its community."

Buxton Civic Association is unique among Civic Associations, due to the number of assets it takes direct responsibility for. These not only include SSSI listed Poole’s Cavern, but also Grinlow Wood and Corbar Wood amongst others. BCA also campaigns actively within the town for high quality environmentally sensitive developments which encourage bio-diversity, whilst publishing a number of books and journals that celebrate the heritage of the town.

In 2020, as Buxton emerged from the pandemic, BCA embraced the chance to enhance its community engagement through the "Stronger Roots" initiative, a programme aimed at inspiring individuals to harness the positive impacts on wellbeing and mental health through closer interaction with nature. The programme facilitated a diverse range of woodland activities and volunteering opportunities. The resounding success of "Stronger Roots" inspired the trustees to continue its community-focused endeavours, and this Heritage Fund investment will allow the exploration of more diverse volunteering roles and visitor programming.

Anyone interested in applying for one of the project roles this grant will support, (Volunteering Development Manager, or, Membership and Marketing Officer), or volunteering with BCA should keep an eye on Buxton Civic Association’s website and social media, which will be used to promote opportunities and disseminate updates on the project to the community. (Contact - BCA (buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk) ) BCA also welcome potential partnership working opportunities from interested individuals and organisations.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in the strategic plan, Heritage 2033.

Over the next ten years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.

The Heritage Fund helps protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.

The Heritage Fund is passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use

#NationalLotteryHeritageFund

www.heritagefund.org.uk

For further information about this exciting development or images contact David Green, Chief Executive Officer, Buxton Civic Association.
E: dave.green@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk Tel: 01298 26978

Volunteering Development Manager

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s ‘Resilience and Recovery’ funding stream over the next two years, BCA are looking to recruit a Volunteering Development Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the team of an ambitious local charity, Buxton Civic Association, unique among Civic Associations, due to the number of assets it takes direct responsibility for. These not only include SSSI listed Poole’s Cavern, but also Grinlow Wood and Corbar Wood amongst others. BCA also campaigns actively within the town for high quality environmentally sensitive developments which encourage bio-diversity, whilst publishing a number of books and journals that celebrate the heritage of the town.

As Volunteer Development Manager you will take the lead in developing volunteering opportunities with Buxton Civic Association, facilitating openings to volunteers across our nine historic woodlands, Poole’s Cavern, our visitor centre and our Sensory Garden in Buxton town centre. Buxton Civic Association has a long and successful track record of volunteering, with community support at the heart of the organisation, which must be maintained as we approach our 60th anniversary. It is important however that we look to the future, fully embracing best-practice and current trends in engagement, and attract new supporters. This post will aim to significantly develop and increase the levels of volunteering throughout the organisation. You will ensure volunteering with BCA is a mutually beneficial and enjoyable experience open to everyone with something to offer, helping to make us the organisation of choice for local volunteers

Volunteering Development Manager

Salary: circa £30k depending upon experience

Duration: 2 years fixed term (Initially project funded with potential to extend)

Location: Poole’s Cavern Buxton, Derbyshire (Hybrid working)

Hours: 37.5 Responsible to: Chief Executive

To apply for the post please download the recruitment pack below and send your CV and a covering letter portraying your relevant experience and how you meet the person specification to David Green, Chief Executive, via dave.green@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk

Please also include the equality monitoring form and include in your application letter where you saw the role advertised

Recruitment timetable

Applications close at 5pm on 28 January 2024.

Proposed interview date 9 February 2024.

Interviews will be in the format of a panel interview, presentation, and tour of the site, giving you an opportunity to meet members of our team, including trustees and staff.

Appointment will be subject to two satisfactory references, one of which should be your current or most recent employer.

While we are advertising the role as full time, we are open to suitable applicants who would be open to job sharing on a part time basis.

Volunteering Development Manager Recruitment Pack

Membership and Marketing Officer

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s ‘Resilience and Recovery’ funding stream over the next two years, BCA are looking to recruit a Membership and Marketing Officer.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the team of an ambitious local charity, Buxton Civic Association, unique among Civic Associations, due to the number of assets it takes direct responsibility for. These not only include SSSI listed Poole’s Cavern, but also Grinlow Wood and Corbar Wood amongst others. BCA also campaigns actively within the town for high quality environmentally sensitive developments which encourage bio-diversity, whilst publishing a number of books and journals that celebrate the heritage of the town.

As the membership and marketing officer you will take the day to day lead in further developing digital and paper-based resources promoting Buxton Civic Association, Poole’s Cavern and Buxton Country Park, our nine historic woodlands, alongside working to develop and market our membership scheme.

Salary: circa £29k depending upon experience

Duration: 2 years fixed term (Initially project funded with potential to extend)

Location: Poole’s Cavern Buxton, Derbyshire (Hybrid working)

Hours: 37.5 Responsible to: Chief Executive

To apply for the post please download the recruitment pack below and send your CV and a covering letter portraying your relevant experience and how you meet the person specification to David Green, Chief Executive, via dave.green@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk

Please also include the equality monitoring form and include in your application letter where you saw the role advertised.

Recruitment timetable

Applications close at 5pm on 28 January 2024.
Proposed interview date 13 February 2024.

Interviews will be in the format of a panel interview, presentation, and tour of the site, giving you an opportunity to meet members of our team, including trustees and staff.

Appointment will be subject to two satisfactory references, one of which should be your current or most recent employer.

While we are advertising the role as full time, we are open to suitable applicants who would be open to job sharing on a part time basis.

Membership and Marketing Officer Recruitment Pack

News and Views from BCA November 2023

BCA E-Newsletter November 2023

A chance to celebrate BCA's Volunteer Trustees

The dedicated trustees of BCA volunteer their time and knowledge selflessly and deserve recognition, especially during Trustees Week. They and their efforts are often hidden in the background, but they play an indispensable role in guiding and nurturing Buxton's leading local environmental charity, enabling it to achieve its goals in looking after the built and natural environment of Buxton. Their voluntary service is a testament to the power of community spirit.

Coming from a diverse range of backgrounds and bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to their roles their contributions extend far beyond the boardroom; they offer strategic direction, foster innovation, and ensure that the charity's mission remains aligned with the needs of the community it serves, all while volunteering their time without any financial compensation.

Their motivation is fueled by a genuine desire to make Buxton a better place to live in and to visit, and their unwavering commitment to the causes they support is inspiring.

Halloween is just around the corner, and the team that bring your the fantastic Santa Cave experience have turned their hands to Halloween.. Are you feeling brave enough to venture underground.

Book your place on our Creepy Cavern Halloween tour

The latest publication by local historian Julian Cohen is being launched on Thursday 2nd November at 7 pm at the Sacro Lounge - everyone welcome

The status of migrant woodland specialists Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher & Pied Flycatcher in BCA and other woodlands in Buxton by Rowan Wakefield

Woodland specialist birds are species restricted to or highly dependent on particular
woodland habitats, and as a group have suffered significant declines, whereas woodland
generalists tend to have more stable or increasing populations. Data from the 2021
Woodland Bird Index, shows that populations of woodland specialists are 53% lower than
in 1970.

Appropriate management of woodlands is important for protecting diversity in birds.
Specialists have favoured niche habitats and often require particular woodland structure.
Under-management of woodlands can lead to loss of clearings, glades and rides and
changes in age structure, and is an important cause of decline, alongside woodland
fragmentation. Reductions of deadwood, wet features and invertebrate populations are
further causes of decline. In some situations predation can be a limiting factor. Climate
change can affect breeding times and productivity, and creates issues on migration. All
three species in this report may be affected by issues outside the UK in the birds’ wintering
grounds, but the focus here is local populations and management.

The three species chosen for the report, whilst not the only migrant woodland specialists in
Buxton and the surrounding area, represent Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) with
relatively low populations nationally.

Breeding Bird Surveys have been conducted since 2020 in BCA woods, covering all
species in certain years and migrants throughout the period. Where possible, territories of
the three focus species have been revisited to assess breeding success. In 2023, Burbage
Edge Plantation has been studied in addition to BCA woods. The report presents data from
the surveys, and explores ways to improve monitoring and habitats for these species.

To read the full paper click on the link below

The status of migrant woodland specialists Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher & Pied Flycatcher in BCA and other woodlands in Buxton

Read about the BCA in the latest edition of the Ranger magazine.

Words by Simon Fussell
Photos by Frag Last

The Ranger Magazine

Jon White gave a talk to BCA members "Green Space is not enough, do we need to reclaim the streets?" For those who missed the talk or if you want to watch it again here is the video.