These are exciting times for Buxton and the Museum and Joe Perry and Gordon Maclellan from Creeping Toad, enticed and intrigued members and friends of Buxton Civic Association with a fascinating talk on how Buxton’s past is to be showcased, explained and demonstrated to future visitors.
As well as a major refurbishment of the interior of the building, sweeping away the narrow corridors and little hideaways to reveal an open space that will tell the story of Buxton, of its geology, environment and people, the visitor will be able to step outside and with the use of new technology, explore the town’s past on foot and even add their own memories and places of interest for others to enjoy using the museum’s new Pocket Wonders website and interactive tool.
Mike Monaghan, BCA Chair, praised the work that the museum and its funders were undertaking to provide a 21st century experience for visitors to the town. He noted that it was encouraging and refreshing that the museum was seeking the views of their customers as part of the process of redesigning the layout and exhibits. It will be a wonderful addition to Buxton.
And there was even more good news. The bear will be staying, housed next to the lift to greet or growl at visitors.
We have a full programme of talks for 2017 opening on Thursday 19th January with Charlie Roberts from Nestle who will talk about the Bottling Plant at Waterswallows. Members and non-members are welcome. All talks start at 7.30pm unless stated otherwise and are held at the Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre, Green Lane, Buxton.

Smith Cooper are organising a fund raising event for High Peak Food bank on 17th December 2016

If you are struggling to find that perfect present for the person that has almost everything, why not consider giving them a year's membership to Buxton Civic Association. As well as supporting a well established charity, that owns and manages 160 acres of beautiful woodland in and around Buxton, membership entitles the recipient to free car parking at Poole's Cavern Visitor Centre car park, free guided tours of Poole's Cavern and 10% discount off purchases of food and drink at the Cafe in the visitor centre. Full details can be found by clicking on the link below.

How to join Buxton Civic Association

Sometimes it is worth looking up

The Railway Station Mural

A great and creative addition to the platform at Buxton Station. Well done to Carys Walters, Friends of Buxton Station, and High Peak Borough Councillors,Clive Johnson, Jean Todd, Linda Grooby, Rachael Quinn and Matthew Stone

Its Time to start planning for Civic Day 2017

Every June Civic Voice organise a National Civic Day.

Civic Day is a chance to celebrate and showcase the diversity and range of activities taking place across the civic movement and unites us with a simple idea – that we can all do something, however big or small, to make our towns, villages and cities great places to live in.

Last Year we held a members evening and showcased the work that we had been doing on the Places and Spaces Project. In 2014 we held a small pop up exhibition by Turners Memorial to celebrate the work that BCA has done and is doing.

If you are interested in getting involved or have some ideas about how we can celebrate Civic Day 2017, our 50th Anniversary year, drop us a line at communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk

Civic Voice 2017

An update from the Town Team on their plans for Christmas

We wrote recently to ask you to ‘Save the date’ for Christmas decorations and celebrations this year and, although you will probably have picked up information from the press and our website, we promised to let you have more detailed information, so here we are.

Buxton Town Team are inviting businesses, organisations, schools or families to adopt a spot to decorate in town. Please go to http://buxtontownteam.org/working-on/buxton-in-bloom-2016/buxton-bloomin-winter/ to ‘Adopt a Spot’, and register it for the list by sending us an email or phoning us. Feel free to put up a weather proof sign (no more than A4 size) saying who has decorated the Spot.

We are suggesting low, or no, cost decorations and give lots of ideas of stunning things to make so, on the same page just click on ‘some ideas’ for instruction sheets. The town colour scheme this year is red, green and gold. Flowerpot People can come out again dressed warmly for winter, if you still have them. We would like the decorations to be up by the morning of Saturday 3rd December please.

Saturday 3rd December 4.15 for 4.30 pm. We will all gather in Spring Gardens dressed up if you like but not compulsory! The theme is Peter Pan and Pirates. Our Christmas Carnival Parade, lit with lanterns and led by the Town Crier, will then make its way across Terrace Road, up The Slopes, over the Market Place finishing at the Pavilion Gardens for hot drinks and food. We will stop at various points along the way to regroup and sing seasonal songs; songsheets will be on the website nearer the time. Please remember to bring torches and wrap up warm.

Very importantly, by Saturday January 7th, each group will take down their decorations and either store them for next year or dispose of them.

Hope this helps, please get back to us if you need more information.

Buxton will have a Bloomin’ Brilliant Christmas this year – with your enthusiasm!

IF ANY MEMBERS OF BUXTON CIVIC ASSOCIATION ARE INTERESTED IN ADOPTING A SPOT SEND YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO US AT communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk

Keith Worsencroft remembers an early dye test on Stanley Moor

You Tube Link to Dye Testing on Stanley Moor

Flintknapping Workshop Saturday 5th November

BUXTON MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY have organised a Flintknapping workshop

Saturday 5 November 2016 between 10am and 12.30pm and later between 2pm and 4.30pm.

Poole's Cavern
Green Lane
Buxton
SK17 9DH

A rare opportunity to get hands-on experience of the ancient craft of flintknapping, this half-day workshop includes an explanation of the techniques and examples of the archaeological evidence. You'll make your own flint tool with help from James Dilley, PhD researcher and specialist in prehistoric techniques. All tools, materials and personal protective equipment will be provided. Participants must be over 14 years old.

£35 per person, advance booking essential. Please tel: 01629 533540 during normal office hours.

After the AGM there were more Pressing Matters to get on with!

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!"