50th Anniversary Programme for Buxton Civic Association 18th May 2017 Remember the Past, Shape the Future
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Programme for the Evening 7.00—7.30pm
On arrival, drinks and opportunity to look at the exhibitions. Olive Middleton will cut the cake at around 7.30pm
7.30-7.35pm
7.35—7.50pm
First screening of our promotional film celebrating 50 years of BCA.
Prof Kevin Bonnett will speak on “Heritage in the Digital Age”
7.50-8.05pm
David Evans of Civic Voice will speak on the “The Future of the Civic Movement”
8.05-8.20pm
Dr Mike Monaghan Chair of BCA will speak on “BCA—The Next 50 years”
8.30-9.30pm
Buffet, Exhibitions and Quiz
Buxton Civic Association is 50 years old and tonight we are celebrating its past successes and achievements. We honour those enlightened individuals who stood up to ‘change for changes sake’ and ensured that the fascinating and beautiful town that we have today was not lost to the brave new world of concrete and glass. The future, uncertain though it is, holds out real promise that BCA can continue to flourish and play a major part in our town over the next fifty years.
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The Film of the Book
Remember the Past, Shape the Future This film, promoting the work of BCA, was inspired by the book, Remember the Past, Shape the Future written by Olive Middleton and Trevor Donald, to celebrate the first 50 years of Buxton Civic Association.
A young student asked, ‘...so what does civic mean?’ Our film aims to be BCA's answer to this question. Civic obligation, and its links to citizenship, is as important today as it has ever been. It concerns our shared duties and relationships, rights and responsibilities to care for where we live. The film has been made by members and staff of BCA with original music, 'Poole's Theme', composed and performed by local musicians. We set out to contrast Buxton 'then and now' in order to ask the question, 'What would Buxton have been like in May 2017 without the BCA?' We promote the efforts of individuals, who became the founders of BCA, and made a difference. The tradition of membership continues to shape the future of this unique town. Fifty years ago anything Victorian was seen as expendable. The Pavilion Gardens could have become a private zoo, the Octagon a casino and Buxton's rail links were set to be axed. Buxton's River Wye was polluted, and lime dust from quarries and lorries caused concerns over poor air. Buxton Civic Association generally challenged the local authority over these plans and lack of public consultation. They went on to create Buxton Country Park from woodland gifted to BCA by Chatsworth Estates and reopened Poole's Cavern. Without this Civic Association, Buxton would have become a different place. This promotional film is also a snapshot of a moment in time; this spring 2017, when Buxton Civic Association marks its 50th year. It raises awareness that it is up to us to help save, protect, repair, prevent, rejuvenate and pressurise. Today BCA is a registered charity, managed by a board of volunteer directors, employs over twenty people, owns, preserves and maintains almost two hundred acres of land, including nine woods, and welcomes over forty-five thousand visitors a year to its show cave. We have an Environmental Quality Mark and maintain high standards to ensure a balance between safe public access and preservation of wildlife. Volunteers work hard to help keep the woodlands maintained. Volunteers work on our committees for Planning, Places and Spaces, Corporate Affairs, Membership and Community, and Woodlands. Volunteer and you could be starring in the sequel! A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the making of the film. 3
Buxton Civic Association 50th Anniversary Events 18th MAY - Buxton Civic Association 50th Anniversary Celebrations at the Dome 7 for 7.30pm. 3rd JUNE - Charity Bazaar at the Pavilion Gardens - BCA will have a stall there so come along and say hello. 15th JUNE - Members Talk with Albert Benghiat on the plans for the Peak District Geo Park. 7.30pm at Poole's Cavern Visitor Centre. 17th JUNE - Civic Day Celebrating the Opening of the Peak District National Park Boundary Walk with Friends of the Peak District and Buxton Town Team. All day event on and around the Market Buxton. 19th JUNE - BCA AGM 7.30pm at the Dome. 8th JULY - Whispering Woods presents 'The Boy Who Grew Wings' performances at 6pm and 8pm. A mesmerising piece of aerial theatre in Grin Wood. Tickets are available from the Whispering Woods Website. 11th - 15th JULY Buxton Festival Fringe - Butterfly Theatre presents Alice in Wonderland in Poole's Cavern. For more information and booking visit Buxton Festival Fringe website 21st JULY - Buxton International Festival - BCA guided walk with Alyson Philips and Alan Roberts "The Duke's Legacy" See the Buxton Festival website for further details. 22nd JULY - Buxton International Festival BCA sponsored talk with Derbyshire Naturalist Mark Cocker. See the Buxton Festival Website for further details.
Thank you all very much for helping us celebrate the first fifty years of Buxton Civic Association this evening. Thank you for your continuing support for the work that we do. Credits: Front page, Arthur Middleton, Stella Zuntz and her son Andy, protesting against the roundabout outside the Palace Hotel. Page 2, Cuttings from the Buxton Advertiser dated 3 March and 17 March 1968 Website
www.buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk
communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk
BCA1967
Contact
BCA, Poole’s Cavern, Green Lane, Buxton, SK17 9DH
Registered charity number in England and Wales 258163 4