Our Latest Statement on Coronavirus

30th April 2020

In view of the rapidly developing coronavirus crisis and its possible implications for our staff, volunteers and visitors, Buxton Civic Association board of trustees have decided that the Cavern, Visitor Centre and Cafe will remain closed to the public until 31th May 2020.

This is a temporary closure. The decision will be reviewed at that time, but will remain under constant review in the meantime.

This is clearly a dynamic rapidly changing emergency situation which we will have to continue to respond rapidly and flexibly to.

The board of trustees continues to meet using video conferencing technology and all groups are being encouraged to do the same.

All our public talks and events for April, May and June are cancelled, but we hope to be able to resume in the autumn. We are looking at running some talks remotely using Zoom and will post details when they are available.

We intend to keep our woods and Buxton Country Park open to the public and we will continue to encourage as many people as possible to use them for exercise and emotional and spiritual refreshment.

We have launched a funding campaign to support the work in the Woods

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL Woodlands and environmental CHARITY
It has been great to see so many people enjoying our woods, and
we want people to be able to continue to enjoy them but we need to keep them safe by
maintaining the paths
making sure that fallen or falling trees are safely out of the way.

AND Covid - 19 has taken away all our income.

So we are asking you to help us, by texting WOODS to 70450 to donate £3, texts cost £3 plus standard message rate,

Thank you so much for your support. Enjoy the woods and Stay well and safe.

If you have any questions regarding this email please contact Simon Fussell on 07974 138549
or via email to communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk

or Alan Walker on 01298 26978 or via email to manager@poolescavern.co.uk

The well being and safety of our staff, members and visitors is of paramount importance.

We acknowledge the threat caused by the spread of coronavirus and the impact on Buxton Civic Association.

Any action we take to change the way in which we operate to assist with slowing the spread of the virus will always be taken in line with government advice.

Notwithstanding this, we acknowledge that given the age profile of our membership this may mean that individuals may wish to take extra precautions above and beyond government advice.

We will continue to hold our members events as long as possible and the talk on Thursday 19th March at the Dome is currently still on.

Cancellation or postponement of events

This will be undertaken after considering the latest advice from government. BCA will endeavour to give participants as much notice as possible, whilst acknowledging that in a fast moving situation this may not be possible.

Updates will first be posted to our website www.buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk in the news and events section and we will endeavour to email members with changes as soon as possible.

Any member, partner or colleague with any concerns about this issue can speak to BCA Chair Peter Phillipson on a confidential basis via chairofboard@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk

The BCA Annual events listing covers a range of activities including family friendly events, socials, talks, presentations, performances, music and art installations. Join to gain full membership access to all BCA events

• Members Talk - Daniel Abrahams - Natural England 18 Jun 20
• FESTIVAL - No Members Talk in July
• Members Walk - Explore one of our woods with an expert guide NB Start time TBC 20 Aug 20
• Members Talk - Dr Jennifer Horseman - Creativity and Cresswell Crags Cave Art 17 Sep 20
• Members Talk - Chris Simpson - An Edwardian Day out - from Buxton to the Goyt 15 Oct 20
• Members Talk - Trevor Gilman - Cowdale a history of a Peak District Village 19 Nov 20
• Members Social - TBC Updates will be posted on our social media outlets 17 Dec 20

DUE TO THE CURRENT COVID-19 CRISIS ALL MEMBERS TALKS AND EVENTS ARE CURRENTLY CANCELLED.

We are looking at running some online events and will post details on our website.

The Paxtons and the Duke. A Menage a Trois?

BCA Members Event 7 pm Wednesday 27th May 2020 via Zoom

Alyson and Steve Phillips are delighted to present their short audio play

“The Paxtons and The Duke. A ménage a trois?”

Steve Phillips writes “We explore the motivation of these characters in this triangular relationship. We reveal its development, as Paxton's genius grows from gardener to millionaire, supported by the everlasting dedication of Sarah and His Grace.”

A short audio play followed by an interactive discussion about Paxton's contribution to the Buxton we see today.

Anyone can join just email communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk to receive joining instructions.

This talk was delivered on Wednesday 20th May 2020 to BCA members via Zoom.

Richard Knisely-Marpole talks about his fascination for Dragonflies and shares his photographs of these remarkable ancient creatures.

High Quality recording by Paul Smith of the Dawn Chorus in the Goyt Valley on the morning of 16th May 2020

Paul writes "This is a 24 bit audio recording of the dawn chorus recorded at around 05:30 on 16/05/2020.

Recorded from the woods at the far end, away from the boathouse using the Rode NTG4+ shotgun mic and a Zoom F4 audio recorder."

Lyn Noble, local Buxton landscape painter shares three of his views from Corbar Woods

Members talk on 14th May 2020 - An introduction to Surveying Wildlife in your Garden with Lindsey Wakefield

Lyn Noble has painted these views of BCA's Corbar Woods and written about the inspiration that he finds in the woods and painting them

Corbar Wood

Our woodlands are always beautiful, but in Spring they’re even more so. Low morning or evening light can still find its way through young leaves. Gaps in the canopy allow the floodlighting of sandy mounds and glades, enhanced by surrounding areas of deep shadow. Light against dark; dark against light, each tone brightened or darkened by the contrast with its surroundings.

A sort of metaphor for the times we live in?

I’m often accused of walking too fast but Corbar Wood always slows me down. Changes in foliage and light throughout the year keep revealing new vignettes, different angles. Back home I find that I find that I’ve already taken that latest photo, but it’s different. Back into the woods, again and again, a gestation period until the paintbox is fished out (again!).

Lyn

We have collected some photographs of the bluebells in Corbar Woods this year. Another beautiful display. We are so lucky to have these woods on our doorsteps.

60 seconds of sounds recorded on a Saturday lunchtime in Hogshaw Woods

The Blue Bell by Emile Bronte

The blue bell is the sweetest flower
That waves in summer air;
Its blossoms have the mightiest power
To soothe my spirit's care.

There is a spell in purple heath
Too wildly, sadly dear;
The violet has a fragrant breath
But fragrance will not cheer.

The trees are bare, the sun is cold;
And seldom, seldom seen;
The heavens have lost their zone of gold
The earth its robe of green;

And ice upon the glancing stream
Has cast its sombre shade
And distant hills and valleys seem
In frozen mist arrayed -


The blue bell cannot charm me now
The heath has lost its bloom,
The violets in the glen below
They yield no sweet perfume.

But though I mourn the heather-bell
'Tis better far, away;
I know how fast my tears would swell
To see it smile today;

And that wood flower that hides so shy
Beneath the mossy stone
Its balmy scent and dewy eye:
'Tis not for them I moan.

It is the slight and stately stem,
The blossom's silvery blue,
The buds hid like a sapphire gem
In sheaths of emerald hue.

'Tis these that breathe upon my heart
A calm and softening spell
That if it makes the tear-drop start
Has power to soothe as well.

For these I weep, so long divided
Through winter's dreary day,
In longing weep--but most when guided
On withered banks to stray.

If chilly then the light should fall
Adown the dreary sky
And gild the dank and darkened wall
With transient brilliancy,

How do I yearn, how do I pine
For the time of flowers to come,
And turn me from that fading shine
To mourn the fields of home -