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
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
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.
Fernilee Reservoir Today.
The short film that you can view by clicking on the link below was made in 1932 during the building of the Fernilee Reservoir. The area of the Goyt valley that is now the Errwood Reservoir was not flooded until 1968.
The film can be seen on David Sterling's website - see link below. The website is packed full of information about the Goyt Valley and Errwood Hall.
Alison Wilton of Daiseymere Farm talks about Orient Lodge - Part one
Civic Voice are inviting Civic Associations and Societies across the country to use Civic Day 2017, 17th June, to focus attention on 50 years of conservation areas.
The Link below provides some more background and details.
If you are interested in doing something get in touch and come along to one of our Places and Spaces meetings.
Presentation from the Places and Spaces event on 16th June 2016.
Extracts from three of the presentations;
Jon White on Vulnerable and at Risk Sites
Roger Floyd on Ashwood Dale and Extreme Litter Collection
Alan Roberts on Heritage and the Frith Artillery Range
Click on the link below
Watch the sixty second Buxton challenge at our Places and Spaces event on 16 June 2016
