Members of Buxton Civic Association enjoyed a trip to London recently to take in a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster in February. A question and Answer session was hosted by Andrew Bingham MP for High Peak in one of the committee rooms at Portcullis House. This was followed by a tour of the Palace, taking in both the Lords and the Commons, and a look at some of the places made famous by the recent BBC programme, “Inside the Commons”.

Mike Monaghan Chair of the Association said “The trip was a great success and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We have had some suggestions for future tours and members will be contacted shortly with these.”

Press release - BCA Members discuss the proposed development of the old Buxton Mineral Water site.

BCA Planning Team Comments on this application

Hilary Lawrence has resigned after twenty seven years as a director of Buxton Civic Association, and to celebrate her outstanding contribution, a presentation evening was held at Poole’s Cavern visitors centre. She was presented with two pieces of work by a local artist Pauline Townsend, by Mike Monaghan the Chair of BCA. Mike told members that he was delighted that Hilary was going to remain a member and that Brian her husband was now on the board. He paid tribute to her dedicated service over the years, in particular with her leadership of the planning committee. She had done a difficult job extremely well and had guided the Association through the minefield of planning with great skill and diplomacy.

Replying to Mike, Hilary explained how much the Association had changed over the years that she had been involved.She explained that she felt that the catalyst for change was the introduction of planning awards by BCA. This got people involved and the Association became better known as a result.

She had enjoyed her time on the board, and paid tribute to the people who had served on the planning committee with her, and reiterated her feeling that it was vital for BCA to be continue to be active in the planning process. She wished Mike and the Association well for the future.

A selection of photographs (Taken by Alan Walker) from the presentation evening held on 9th February 2015 for Hilary Lawrence who retires as a director from Buxton Civic Association after 27 years.

Buxton Advertiser interview with Mike Monaghan and BCA.

A lovely photograph of a Tawny Owl in Gadley Woods. It reminds me of the quote from Winnie the Pooh;

"Owl is the grand and rather clever old man of the forest. He can also spell Tuesday."

Information on Tawny Owls from wildowl website

Press Release to Buxton Advetiser

E Newsletter December 2014

We are taking part in the RSPB Great Garden Bird Survey again this year. Its very simple to do. If you come up to the visitors centre or are going for a walk through the woods either down load the form and print it out or collect one from the visitor centre and record the birds you see. If you hand the form in to our reception desk we will collate the results and send them off to the RSPB. There are some bird identification charts in the Cafe. And of course you can always enjoy a hot drink and some cake in the cafe afterwards.

Recording Form for the RSPB Great Garden Bird Watch 2015

Whenever there is snow on the ground and I am walking in the woods, usually Grinlow or Corbar, this poem always comes to mind. Perhaps Robert Frost's best known work, the poem is based on Frost's own experience in returning home from a market during a long and cold New England winter. Frost had had a less than successful day and had come home empty handed. There is a wistful feel to the poem, a desire to linger and delay the trip home perhaps? However his horse shakes him from his thoughts and aware of his responsibilities he sets of to finish his journey.

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” from The Poetry of Robert Frost, edited by Edward Connery Lathem. Copyright 1923, © 1969 by Henry Holt and Company, Inc., renewed 1951, by Robert Frost.