Civic Voice is the national charity for the civic movement in England. Its role is to make the places where everyone lives more attractive, enjoyable, and distinctive. It promotes civic pride and speaks up for civic societies and local communities across England. Civic Voice believes that everyone has the right to live somewhere they can be proud of and works towards enhancing the quality of life and the environment in local communities.

The organization also serves as a voice for the civic movement, which includes over a thousand local civic and amenity societies. These societies focus on voluntary and community action to improve the places where people live, work, and relax. They champion the importance of these places to decision-makers and opinion formers in various sectors. Civic societies are known for being independent and grassroots organizations that can be provocative, stubborn, forceful, inspiring, and outspoken on behalf of the places they care about.

Civic Voice also aims to build stronger, more active, and more engaged communities through its work and aspires to have a nation of active citizens³. It is a fundamental source of civic pride and plays an essential role in helping individuals and communities understand and take action to improve their lives through the places they live.

Civic Voice article

Join us for The Big Help Out

Click on this link to sign up for the volunteering session on 8th June

Thursday April 18th at 6.30 pm Members and Staff Quiz Night

Why not join us for our members and staff for our quiz night on 18th April at 6,30 pm at the Poole's Cavern, Visitor Centre, Green Lane, SK17 9DH.

BCA members free entry, Non Members £5.

Book tickets on the Eventbrite post at the end of this post.

Book tickets on Eventbrite

With the breeding season almost upon us it is really important that we protect some of our vulnerable birds

Last week we received a message from a concerned member about the potential plight of Lapwings around Bishops Lane.

BCA member Karen King wrote

"Hi, I would like to bring to your attention an issue in the Civic Association owned fields off Bishops Lane. The issue concerning nesting lapwings and the use of these fields by dog walkers who leave the public footpath at the edge of the field or from the lane to exercise dogs off the lead. We have heard and watched the arrival of the lapwings come to nest every March for the last 30 years. Last year the remaining pair were disturbed and left. Meanwhile dog walkers continue on a daily basis to exercise their dogs in the field off the lead letting the dogs roam over the whole field near to where the Lapwings usually nest, risking disturbing the birds and their nests. As numbers of Lapwings are falling and they are "Near Threatened" I worry about what will happen this spring and hoped the Civic Association might be able to help with the issue.

More than happy to help and add further information if required. Looking forward to hearing from you."

Simon Fussell writes:

I can remember back in the early 70's the fields were full of Lapwings or Peewits as we called them. Now they are hanging on in isolated pockets their numbers threatened by a number of factors. 

So what can we do? How can we help Karen and the Bishop lane Lapwings?

Lindsey Wakefield, Chair of the Biodiversity Group  makes the following points. "So much Lapwing habitat has been lost through shifts in farming practice, and birds that still return to sites in March are often battling against these changes and fail in their breeding attempts. Lapwings are long-lived birds - they return to the same spots each year and watching them fail for controllable reasons is heartbreaking. The issue of free running dogs should be the easiest threat to address if there is awareness and understanding."

The Photographs below (taken by Karen King) show where some of the issues are.

So we can all do something to help the Lapwings

Keeping dogs under control and being aware that from March to the end of July there will be ground nesting birds such as Lapwings that need our help to halt the decline in numbers is a good way to start.

To help raise awareness and suggest how people can help BCA will be putting signs up to let people know that there are ground nesting birds in the area and we will be raising awareness through social media.

Thank you for your support

Exciting Consultancy opportunity to help BCA undertake a comprehensive review of their governance, leadership, strategy, organisational structures, policies and practices

Buxton Civic Association (BCA) is delighted to announce a unique opportunity for an experienced Heritage Consultant to lead a comprehensive review of our governance, leadership, strategy, organisational structures, policies and practices. As the leading local environmental and heritage charity, BCA is transitioning from a relatively small, volunteer-led charity to a larger organisation, steered by a professional team overseeing operational management in collaboration with the Board of Trustees. We aspire to expand our membership and significantly enhance volunteer engagement, recognising the need for a thorough review and modernisation of our governance structures and working methods.

The appointed consultant will be instrumental in shaping the future of BCA, ensuring its ability to deliver on charitable objectives and sustain meaningful engagement with the community. This endeavour is paramount in securing a legacy that resonates with the next generation, fostering positive impacts on both the organisation and the town.

Join us on this journey of transformation, where your expertise will be integral to the evolution of a cherished local charity. You can be the catalyst for positive change, leaving a lasting imprint on the heritage and environmental landscape of Buxton and be a driving force behind a brighter future for BCA and the community it serves.

BCA are grateful for the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players in
funding this work.

To find out more and to apply download the Consultant Brief below

Consultant Brief - Governance/Leadership/Organisational Review

The Buxtonian is the house journal of Buxton Civic Association and will be published twice a year. The autumn/winter issue will focus on the natural environment of Buxton, while the spring/summer issue will concentrate on the built environment of Buxton.

We hope you enjoy the first issue.

The Buxtonian Vol1 No 1 2023 The Natural Environment

To download a PDF of the Buxtonian click on the link below

Dr Alan Roberts continues the Biography of Grinlow from Doomsday to the present - people and Industry

Poole's Cavern and Visitor Centre will reopen on 17th May 2021

Alan Walker Manager of Poole's Cavern and Country Park writes, "We look forward to welcoming visitors back to Poole’s Cavern and Country Park. We hope to reopen on Monday the 17th of May. We have everything in place and are good to go to comply with the latest government and tourism industry guidance to make a safe and comfortable experience for everyone."

Latest reopening information from Poole's Cavern Website

Report and Update from BCA's Planning Committee September 2018

Click on the link below for the latest report and update from BCA's planning committee. Excellent work from Andy Banks (Chair), Alyson Phillips, John Anfield, and Derek Bodey

BCA Planning Committee Report September 2018

Sculptor Lorraine Botterill has produced a series of carved finger posts to help guide walkers along the green route in Grin Woods. The finger posts represent some of the things that you might get to see on a woodland walk.