Buxton Civic Association Newsletter Issue 37 Summer 2017 1967 ‘Celebrating Fifty Years’ 2017
In May, over 140 BCA members, our dedicated staff and invited guests, gathered at the Devonshire Dome, to reflect on how Buxton has benefitted from our many interventions and projects in the last 50 years, preserving the fine architecture of the town and its landscapes since 1967. The celebration was opened with a toast and cutting of a themed cake with Solomon’s Temple atop, by one of the founding members, Olive Middleton. She made a plea to continue campaigning for improvements to our town. “Nothing starts without a protest and when we waded into the River Wye in our wellies all those years ago to collect rubbish, it was done as a protest because no one was caring for our river. …the Gardens presented the greatest threat then and now 50 years later it’s coming around again.” Members were treated to a first screening of the promotional film about the history and current work of BCA with its emphasis on the importance of volunteering. This is now available to see on our website at www.buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk. Professor Kevin Bonnett, from the University of Derby, gave an interesting speech on heritage and our understanding of this, within the age we live. He began with music ‘…See paradise and put up a parking lot,’ and challenged us to think about what we identify as ‘heritage’ today and why we want to protect this for the future. “… this is what this Civic Association is doing … they are engaging in the physical world - which in this digital age is valued now more than ever - and are working to protect the town.” David Evans from the Civic Voice was our second speaker. He said: “People here in this room are the future of the 1
movement and will go on to shape the town by looking after the prestigious heritage and landmarks.” He was impressed by the transformation of the Dome, on this his first visit. He commented enthusiastically on the efficient use that is made of a building, originally stables, then a hospital and now a centre of learning. The building adds value and contributes sympathetically to its change of use. Serendipitously, we were all treated to a spectacular natural light display as the sunset filled the roof space with colour. Everyone then enjoyed a beautifully presented buffet meal and the opportunity to meet and share memories. We welcomed a former chairman Clive Beattie, chair between 1996 and 2009 who invited Go Ape to Grinlow. Clive spoke to the Buxton Advertiser. “I set my sights on making us financially stable and worked hard to increase revenue to ensure the good work of the volunteers can continue for future years.” Jonathan Davey, now one of our volunteer directors, said: “I have only been a member for nearly seven years but the endless work done by the group has created a real and tangible benefit to all who live, work and visit here.”
BOOK REVIEW
Book Review by Alyson Phillips Strange Happenings at Harpur Hill by Alan Roberts. Alan Roberts’ book explains how the outbreak of World War One propelled ‘The Frith’ at Harpur Hill along an extraordinary journey to become what is now known as the Health and Safety Laboratory. He also offers an accurate location and walking guide as well as an interesting insight into the extensive industrialisation of this area. HARPUR HILL BECOMES A MILITARY HUB Mobile trench mortars, short tubes to fire projectiles, were required to be launched from trenches. A testing range was needed by the War Office, so the Frith Artillery Range was opened in 1916 at Harpur Hill. Tenants were removed and the Duke of Devonshire was compensated for loss of rents. New sidings were linked to the existing LWNR line for effective transportation nationally.
HEALTH AND SAFETY IS AT HARPUR The author includes the investigation into the massive explosion at the Flixborough chemical plant in 1974. This resulted in the formation of the Health and Safety Executive Inspectorate.
As the power of mortars extended so did the boundary of the Frith. Water supplies were disrupted by shock waves, in turn interrupting the milk supply to the local cheese factories. By STRANGER THAN FICTION! 1918 the site resembled a battlefield. Alan Roberts includes insightful anecdotes and archive evidence that add to our unAlan Roberts leaves his ‘Strangest Happenings’ to the end derstanding of the wider impact of warfare on soldiers and civilof the book. In the Second World War, under the disguise ians. of quarry workings, weapons, ammunition and bombs were stored at the Frith. With the use of the archive diaFIRES, EXPLOSIONS AND EVEN LOUDER BLASTS grams and photographs, the accurate, visual evidence is In 1925 a decision was made to locate the Experimental Station shown which look like plans for a James Bond film set. for large tests on fires, explosions and explosives at the Frith. He concludes with memories from RAF personnel who Local residents were already used to the loud noise of blasting arrived '...expecting to see an airfield and aeroplanes infrom the quarries. stead of a rather remote and secretive location high on a In 1929, an underground tunnel was cut to demonstrate the hillside'. dangers of coal dust explosions for miners. Safety testing equipDiscover for yourself the 'Strange Happenings at Harpur ment was labelled 'Buxton Certified' and exported around the Hill'. Copies of the book are on sale at Poole's Cavern. world. The massive 'coal dust explosion gallery' is explained Price £5. using interesting photographs. POLICE REPORTS OF STRANGE HAPPENINGS Brake failure was a major cause of accidents so an impact test track was constructed. Foam, used to extinguish fires, was carried away by the wind and led to reports of UFOs!
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If you have information relating to the site described in the book, that you would like to add to the Buxton Civic Association Website please contact communictions@buxtoncivicassociation .org.uk.
NEWS
Civic Day—The opening of the Peak District Boundary Walk
BCA supported Friends of the Peak District on National Civic Day. Rather than have a separate event we put together a small exhibition to tell some of the story of walking in the Peak District and to celebrate some of the long distance trails and the work of the Mountain Rescue teams. We had some photos from the Kinder trespass of 1932 and a photo and a reference to an earlier mass trespass at Winnats Pass in 1927. We are hoping to have the exhibition on display at Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre during the Buxton Festival in July. It was important that BCA was part of this historic event, especially in our 50 th year. The walk is a tremendous tribute to the work that all the voluntary groups do to enhance the visitors’ experience of the Peak District and its surroundings. The PDBW is a brilliant idea allowing people to enjoy the wonderful scenery and heritage of Peak District and its fringe areas, and having it starting and ending in Buxton is great for the town. The intrepid walkers were able to send photos via Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #PDBWalk. These have been collected into a short video which can be seen by going to our website and following the link www.buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk/ peak-district-boundary-walk-grand-opening/.
Looking at BCA Exhibition on walking Listening to the opening speeches
Discussing the Boundary Walk 3
Setting off
VOLUNTEERS PAST Celebrating Volunteers Past By Brian Lawrence BCA Volunteer – Dr GEOFFREY WILLIS DR WILLIS – WAR DIARIES, THE EARLY YEARS Dr Willis, now retired, was a highly regarded GP in Buxton when the Surgery was in The Square. His patients and staff found him good tempered, polite and courteous. He came to Buxton during World War Two, and was medical officer to the RAF camp at Harpur Hill. When any planes crashed in the Peak District (and 250 did, ours or enemy) Geoffrey went to help the wounded or certify the dead. Of course it was especially difficult in those exposed, desolate places in winter. He often accompanied the mountain rescue team. He met a Buxton girl, Freda they married and he stayed in Buxton. A FOUNDER MEMBER OF BCA Dr Willis was a founder member of BCA. In 1966 he was one of the 55 people who signed a legal document (a Covenant) guaranteeing to pay an annual subscription for seven years. This provided an essential short-term sound financial basis for this new civic group. His name, and Freda’s, appear year after year in the list of those who attended the BCA AGM. VOLUNTEER, CAMPAIGNER AND TV STAR Geoffrey became a volunteer member of the Planning Committee and was chairman of residents who campaigned for appropriate new buildings for the combined girls-and-boys comprehensive school on the Buxton College site in Green Lane / Temple Road. Meetings were held with councillors, planners and architects as well as national bodies such as the Victorian Society and parliament. The Buxton campaign attracted much attention. Geoffrey and others appeared on evening TV. The decision by Derbyshire County Council to build a coal-fired heating system with a metal chimney acted as a catalyst for many outraged locals exposed to the polluting carbon fallout. The vigorous campaign of Geoffrey’s group inspired lots of people to join BCA. ASSET TO OUR TOWN Geoffrey is the author of several books about his medical experiences here over many years. Freda must have been alarmed by some of his journeys in terrible weather. He and Freda enjoyed holidaying in the Lake District, with lots of walking. Geoffrey is an accomplished amateur painter, being a member of Burbage Art Group and having participated in many exhibitions. He is a trustee of Buxton Methodist Church. He is a gifted, caring person and BCA is proud to acknowledge his dedication and involvement with BCA for fifty years.
Dr Geoffrey Willis in contemplative mood, above, and a copy of the covenant , opposite, that Dr Willis signed in 1969 that helped secure the financial future of BCA. 4
VOLUNTEERS PRESENT MIKE WILDE MEMBERSHIP AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERING NOW FOR BCA I chair the Membership and Community Committee (MACC). We decide on ways to raise the profile of BCA in Buxton. This means encouraging our members to feel part of an organisation that cares so much about where we live. MACC organised the 50th anniversary celebration at The Dome so that members could get together to recall and record our achievements. I help to organise our Thursday Members’ Talks evenings, where interesting and concerned people are invited to Poole’s Cavern to talk to BCA members on a theme, usually historical, geographical or topical. It has been wonderful to see these evenings grow in popularity, frequently attended by 80 or more, as the membership wants to become more informed locally. I help on the BCA stall at community events and fairs by talking to the public about our important role in Buxton.
HOW I BECAME INVOLVED I was invited to an Open Morning at The Café at the Cavern and met Paul Dinsdale and Alan Walker. It was the first time I had been into the Poole’s Cavern ‘complex’. I was immediately impressed by the cavern itself and what I saw of the cheery disposition of all the staff. A good cup of tea and a nice piece of cake made me feel most welcome. I was left to decide what I thought I could do and Paul suggested I look at joining the membership committee. I felt comfortable with the objectives of the BCA and went on to discover more. I am impressed by the work achieved by the volunteer directors and their wealth of experience and the way they operate a successful business model that provides the funds that enable BCA to do what it does. Anyone involved should have a great sense of pride.
Members Wanted Please encourage people you know to become members of BCA. Membership of just £12.50 supports the organisation. You can provide practical support in the woods and gardens. Please consider joining our planning, community, woodlands or membership committees. If you are interested please email us at communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk Mike Wilde getting ready to meet the crowds—Civic Day 20th
Autumn Newsletter The Autumn edition of our Newsletter will be going to press on 27th September 2017. The deadline for receiving copy is 13th September 2017. If you have an interesting story or piece of news that you would like to share with us then please write to us or email us using the contact details on the back page. Mark your correspondence ‘Newsletter– FAO Alyson Phillps’
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BCA 47th AGM “Building on Our Success for the Challenges Ahead”
James Berresford talks to members about the future opportunities that the Crescent refurbishment offers the town. AGM— The minutes and the presentation from the AGM are available on our website. Dr Mike Monaghan reported on another very successful year for BCA but stressed that there were challenges and opportunities ahead. He welcomed Dr Helen Haywood to the board and her first AGM as a director, and thanked Alan Walker for all his hard work and dedication to making Poole’s Cavern so popular and respected, with a small presentation to celebrate thirty years service with BCA on 15th May.
Wells Dressing BCA is very honoured to have been chosen as the theme for the 2017 Market Place Well. All of Buxton, and the many visitors that attend the Wells Dressings, will be able to celebrate with us with this unique and beautifully crafted design. We are very grateful to all involved.
Buxton Wells Dressers hard at work. 6
NEWS Update on the Bennett Street Memorial Plaque Notes from the BCA Stall
Bennett Street
While helping out on the BCA stall at the Charities Bazaar, a visitor stopped to look at Alan Roberts’ book Strange Happenings at Harpur Hill and it prompted a memory. As a child, during the Second World War, she recalled the surge of activity when a big bombing raid was planned. There was huge increase in the number of trains being loaded with bombs at such times.
While running the stall at the Spring Fair this year, we were asked whether we knew anything about the mysterious disappearance of the Bennett Street War Memorial from one of the residents on the street. The Bennett Street Roll of Honour commemorates all those who served in the Great War and lived in Bennett Street, Buxton. Some men did not return and their names are printed at the base of the plaque under the initials R.I.P.
Ed.
Alan Roberts wrote first to High Peak Borough Council and then to Terry Redfern, the Cemetery Superintendent as follows. “We have had several enquiries about the War Memorial in Bennett Street, Buxton, which is no longer in place. The memorial is a bronze sheet in a wooden frame and, as I understand it, the frame has rotted and the bronze sheet fell out. HPBC has collected the bronze sheet and has agreed to do a full restoration of the memorial. This is a good thing but as the damage occurred several weeks ago, people are wondering when the restoration will be completed, particularly as the original memorial (which the current one replaced) was set up in 1917, 100 years ago. Any information that you can give me on this matter would be appreciated. Alan” Bennett Street War Memorial
These excellent websites give more fascinating details about the history of the Bennett Street War Memorial. Imperial war museum - http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/ item/memorial/14263 Buxton war memorials - http:// www.buxtonwarmemorials.co.uk/bennett_st.html
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“Hello Alan, The bronze memorial plaque is currently with restorers and we have no date as to when the work will be completed - as the plaque was quite badly bent in one corner and may need cleaning, dipping and re-enamelling the work could take a few months. We've already got quotes for a new hardwood plinth for the plaque to be fixed to, so once we get the plaque back it shouldn't take too long. For now I'd just advise people that the work is in hand and that the plaque will be replaced as soon as possible. The plaque was originally cared for by the occupant of the property, not HPBC, but unfortunately subsequent occupiers have not taken up the mantle, hence HPBC stepping in to initiate repairs when the plaque blew off in recent high winds. Yours, Terry Redfern - 07817 557 164 Cemetery Superintendent.”
EVENTS
COMMUNICATIONS
Events at Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre July and August 2017 JULY
AUGUST
8th July—Whispering Wonders— perform ‘The Boy Who grew Wings’ - mesmerising aerial theatre in Grin Woods. Performances 6pm and 8pm.
17th August— Woodland Walk and Poetry Reading 7.30pm . Meet in the School Room. The walk will be in Grin Woods and people are invited to bring along a piece of prose or poetry to share. The prose or poem should have a woodland theme.
Tickets from www.whisperingwoods.org.uk
11th—15th Buxton Festival Fringe – Butterfly Theatre present—’Alice in Wonderland’ performances at Poole’s Cavern, tickets available from www.buxtonfringe.org.uk 21st Festival Walk—’The Duke’s Legacy’ with Alyson Phillips. SOLD OUT
Details will be on our website shortly.
Buxton Civic Association Directors and Senior Managers General Manager: Alan Walker at Poole’s Cavern 01298 26978 Board Members: Chair: Mike Monaghan Secretary: Martin Wragg Treasurer: Brian Shawcross Corporate Affairs: Jonathan Davey Planning: Andy Banks Woodlands: Peter Phillipson Community & Membership: Mike Wilde, Helen Haywood Newsletter: Alyson Phillips Archives: Brian Lawrence Environment: Andy Banks Heritage: Adam Bench Places and Spaces: Alan Roberts
Editor
Alyson Phillips
communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk
BCA1967
Contact
BCA, Poole’s Cavern, Green Lane, Buxton, SK17 9DH
Registered charity number in England and Wales 258163 8