Newsletter
Issue 40
Autumn 2018
What’s Inside Paxton's Trees Page 2 Trees of Grinlow Page 4 Street Trees
Page 8 Buxton Blooms Page 9 Cavern News Page 11
News from the Editor Working With Our Community
Serpentine Gardens
The Octagon has reopened and taken its place again at the heart of the Pavilion Gardens; all those sparkling windows and wrought iron work, newly painted and a beautiful wooden floor. We all have a chance to interact again with a historic building that is and has always been designed to be well used. It is of its time, now restored to its original colours to celebrate Queen Victoria as Empress of India and yet very 2018 too, with computer operated blinds and a state of the art bar! High Peak Borough Council have worked with the community and we have a building of which we can continue to be truly proud.
by John Boardman, Serpentine Community Farm What are herbs? They are plants that earn their place with easy access to a kitchen because of their flavour. They are normally the green and flowery parts of the plant whereas spices tend to be brown and from roots, bark, fruits etc. Of course there are always exceptions like coriander where flavour comes from both leaf and seed.
The future of the Gardens is another major decision. It is the jewel in Buxton’s crown and the Council should share this process otherwise it suggests that secrecy over their decision could be unpopular. BCA worked with HPBC over the redevelopment of the Octagon and would welcome the opportunity to work with them again. Unfortunately no details are available, except to those tendering for the contract. We understand the Gardens themselves will still be maintained by HPBC. As ever, in our Newsletter we alert you to the campaigns and concerns of the town and update Member’s on all our activities in our woods and at Poole’s Cavern. It’s been a busy time and we celebrate this wonderful autumn with a ‘Trees Special’.
My favourite tree Alyson Phillips It is the horse chestnut. I just love to be amongst trees in the woods. This one is easy to identify, especially this time of year with so many conkers – such happy times. Conkers are so shiny, polished by nature, no wonder they need collecting and not just by excited children but also by mammals who eat them. They were given to horses to relieve coughs - maybe that’s where the name comes from? They are nonnative, but then so are rabbits and I welcome the fact that they choose to grow so beautifully in my adopted home town.
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Herb Garden The Serpentine
Why are herbs valued? The aroma and flavour of herbs add to the culinary experience. In mediaeval times they were used to hide smells from meat that may well be “off” and to freshen and clean rooms.
How were / are they used?
Paxton Legacy Revival by Robyn Farrell
The Serpentine is a gem by Joseph Paxton, head gardener and architect for the 6th Duke of Devonshire, at the start of his illustrious career in park design. Colin is one of the park keepers working in the Serpentine with a colleague from High Peak Borough Council. They are reviving Paxton’s vision for the Serpentine.This includes removing years of random shrubbery, pruning and reshaping the mature trees. Appropriate replanting is due to follow. An early find is the discovery of Paxton’s original river walkway which for years has been hidden beneath the undergrowth. The accompanying picture shows the path curving through the trees.
• Spiritual: cleansing e.g. hyssop and rosemary were used in churches to kill and repel insects • Symbols: rosemary for remembrance, fennel for flattery and pansies for thought (to quote Ophelia) • Strewing: fragrant and astringent and used as a disinfectant and an insecticide. Herbs included here are meadowsweet and fleabane (penny royal). They could also be carried as posies or in a pocket Southernwood (lad’s love) was strewn in bedrooms as an aphrodisiac • Medicinal: their names are a giveaway; e.g. lungwort, fleabane and feverfew • Love potions • Culinary: herbs often have specific companions; e.g. mint and lamb, fennel and fish, tomato and basil
What growing conditions do they require? For maximum flavour ignore their wellbeing because herbs need STRESS. The flavour compounds have evolved as defence chemicals to adapt to threats like drought, heat, pests and diseases. These compounds also deliver the anti-microbial and medicinal values.
Give them an environment with… • Low fertiliser and poor fertility. Dig sand or grit (up to 60% on heavy soils) • Spray with aspirin (1x300mg soluble aspirin in 1 litre of water) • Full sun • Close spacing – to reduce light a green plastic sheet as mulch also helps) • Low / no water (except mint and wasabi). Too much water results in lush, leafy growth and little flavour • Herbs rapidly lose flavour after harvesting
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At Serpentine Community Farm herbs are grown from seed, cuttings or splitting plants saved from the previous year, and therefore “Buxton proofed”. When you visit you will see them as demonstration plants which we are ready to give away along with the seeds. We pick them for use by volunteers and visitors and dry them for use in our SCF teas. The plants attract pollinators, especially borage, angelica and thyme. Our visitors, particularly children, enjoy exploring the smells, tastes and visual display of our herbs. Come along and see and taste for yourself any Wednesday or Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Colin has pictures on his phone of how the Serpentine was originally intended to look and passionately hopes that in time the vision of Sir Joseph will be evident once more. Hopefully these discoveries will promote the Serpentine to its rightful Grade 1 listed status.
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The Trees of Grinlow
Including guided tree walk notes from Angela Wills and The Woodland Trust. How easy is it to just look up information about a tree on the internet? The Woodland Trust has a fabulous website to look at if you just Google. However here is something a little more home grown to enjoy, with photographs of the leaves from the actual trees growing in our own Buxton Country Park. The samples were taken from trees on the main track through the woods, starting at the steps from the car park.
Elder
(Sambucus nigra) A small deciduous tree, native to the UK. Elder is one of the earliest shrubs to show green shoots in spring. Its bark is pale and corky and the twigs have a central pith which can be removed to make peashooters and whistles. The flowers, which open in June and July, are white, strongly scented and used for elderflower wine. The berries are green then become shiny black when they are ready for picking for more wine! The leaves are pungent and can be used to keep flies away.
Elder
Myths - if a child was beaten with an elder stick its growth would be stunted and it would become sick. It is thought by some that it brings luck when taken to a wedding.
Hawthorn
(Crataegus monogyna )
Beech Hazel
Beech
Hazel
A large, deciduous tree, only native to southern England and South Wales.
A deciduous broadleaf tree native to the UK.
The beech is only truly native in southern England and is here at Grinlow due to human intervention and now natural colonization. The name ‘beech’ derives from the Anglo Saxon ‘boc’ and from this we get our word ‘book’ because early books were made from thin slices of beech. It is a good wood for furniture as it can be turned easily. Bodgers, chair makers, lived in woods and set up primitive lathes to turn legs.
Hazel is mainly valued by us for its nuts. Hazel nuts are also eaten by woodpeckers, nuthatches, tits, wood pigeons, jays and a number of small mammals. It is wind and insect pollinated and its catkins herald spring. The female flowers are little red tufts and provide early pollen as a food for bees. The wood is so springy it can be tied in a knot without breaking. The leaves are soft and hairy to the touch and turn yellow before falling in autumn.
Beech nuts, a source of protein and minerals, were occasionally eaten by the poor and used for fodder for fattening swine. Leaves were used instead of straw because they “… afford the best mattresses, they continue sweet for seven or eight years.” John Evelyn 1776.
Myths - A hazel rod is supposed to protect against evil spirits, as well as being used as a wand and for water-divining. A double nut, St John nut, is said to be powerful in warding off rheumatism.
(Fagus sylvatica)
(Corylus avellana)
Myths - beech is a symbol of prosperity and it is rumoured that if a beech stick is carved with your greatest wish it will come true.
Rowan
Rowan or Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia)
Field Maple
(Acer campestre) A broadleaf deciduous tree native to the UK. Acer means sharp from the Latin word for spear. The sap can be used to make maple syrup. The leaves fade to a rich golden yellow before falling in autumn. It is the UK’s only native maple and very tolerant to pollution. Field maple is attractive to aphids and therefore their predators, including many species of ladybird, hoverfly and bird. Myths – In the past it may have been used as remedy for liver complaints. Branches hung in the doorway keep away bats!
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Holly
A deciduous tree native to the UK. Rowan is also known as the mountain ash, due to the fact that it grows well at high altitudes and its leaves are similar those of ash. However, the two species are not related. The wood is strong, hard and tough, but not particularly durable. It is sometimes used in furniture, craftwork and engraving. It's widely planted as a street tree. Rowan berries are edible to humans - they are sour but rich in vitamin C, and can be used to make a jelly to accompany meats. Myths - Rowan was once widely planted by houses and churches as a protection against evil. The colour red was considered to be the best colour for fighting evil, and so the rowan, with its bright red berries, has long been associated with magic and witches.
It is sometimes called ‘quick thorn’ and also known as the May-tree, due to its flowering period, it is the only British plant named after the month in which it blooms. The leaves come before the flowers. 150 species of insects feed on leaves or nectar and birds feed on the berries.
Holly
Common hawthorn timber is finely grained and very hard. It was used to make boxes, tool handles and boat parts. It also makes good firewood and charcoal.
A native evergreen shrub with spiked, glossy leaves.
The young leaves, flower buds and young flowers are all edible. They can be added to green salads. The haws are most commonly used to make jellies, wines and ketchups.
(Ilex aquifolium)
The holly has long been a symbol of Christmas with its evergreen leaves and red berries. It provides dense cover for birds to nest in and its deep leaf litter is used by hedgehogs and small mammals for hibernation. The berries are a vital source of food for birds and small mammals in winter. The wood is used for walking sticks and makes a good firewood as it burns with strong heat. Myths - The tree was seen as a fertility symbol and charm against the devil. It was thought to be unlucky to cut a holly tree down.
The rich humus beneath our trees encourages the 'birds nest orchid fungi' to unite with the roots of the beech, each helping the other to obtain nutrients.
Maple
A deciduous tree native in the UK
Myths - It is used in May Day celebrations and associated with pagan rites to greet the advent of summer. It is said to be unlucky to bring the blossom indoors.
Hawthorn
Let us know your favourite tree Do you have a favourite tree in the local area? We are hoping to include your ideas and photographs in our next Newsletter. Please email articles and photos to Simon Fussell: communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk or tweet us @BCA1967. Readers Favourite Tree As a regular dog walker around Solomon’s Temple I pass this Hawthorn most days. It’s a solitary tree standing south west of the folly, with a typical Derbyshire backdrop of dry stone walling. Bob Bohme, Buxton
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Mike
Steps Down An interview with Simon Fussell
What attracted you to Buxton? My wife Mary and I had been to Buxton a few times before we moved here seventeen years ago, mainly to attend the wonderful festival. Looking round the town more closely two things struck me. Firstly the delightful woods and parks so close to the town centre and so accessible. Secondly was the splendid architecture. Even the buildings down Spring Gardens, not the most attractive shopping street, has buildings of excellent quality in a variety of styles, when you look up. I stand at the top of the Slopes, particularly in winter when the trees have shed their leaves and enjoy the splendid architectural panorama, taking in the Crescent and of course the Devonshire Dome framed against a backdrop of trees and woods. One of the great joys in the early years of living in the town was to stroll on a summer’s evening and look up and see and hear forty or fifty swifts screaming as they raced overhead around the Square and the Opera House. It raised your heart. Fifteen years later I feel fortunate to see a half a dozen at one time. It is sad to witness their decline. Raising your eyes can leave you with a saddened feeling. How did you get involved with the Civic Association? Buxton is a special place, perhaps taken for granted, and once retired we wanted to get involved to help look after and support the town’s heritage. The Civic Association seemed the obvious organisation to join. It maintains the woods and makes them accessible for locals and visitors. It also has in its constitution the obligation to care for the historic sites and buildings in the town, so we joined. But you might say that it was the swifts screaming round the Opera house that got us to join. I know you want to thank BCA for the gift you received in appreciation of your time as Chair.
At a time of very grave pressures on Councils, who do not always have the resources to do what they need to, the role of the voluntary groups is vital, and it is good to see BCA playing its part in this and I am sure it will continue.
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When I announced that I would be stepping down as Chairman, I felt I had made a contribution to the Association but that it was time for someone else to take over. At my final event as Chair, a BCA board meeting, I was presented with a print of a painting that Pam Smart, a much admired local artist had done of the buildings in Spring Gardens. It is a wonderful painting, that she calls ‘Above the Shops’, and it is an idealised, poetic view looking down Spring Gardens. It highlights the wonderful architecture of course, but also it is supporting a local
artist. One of the things we appreciate in Buxton is the vibrant local art scene; the Green Man Gallery, the Pavilion Gardens featuring talented local artists. The picture hangs on our living room wall, alongside another picture from the Spa Prize exhibition 2017 of one of the benches that we placed in Corbar Wood, near to the bluebells, one of our favourite spots in Buxton. They are both a daily reminder of the beauty of Buxton and the contribution that BCA has made to maintain that. What are your other favourite views? The other view that we cherish is from Corbar Cross. The walk up is beautiful whatever the season. Starting through the woods, there are the bluebells in spring and the wonderful colours as the leaves turn in autumn. There are different shades of light through the branches and then you emerge out onto the open hillside with the cross which is a wonderful symbol for us as Christians. Whatever your beliefs this is a superb spot to stand and look across the town. You can see the beautiful Lightwood valley, another cherished place. Corbar Cross is somewhere we return to time after time and never tire of. You were chair of BCA during its 50th Anniversary. Where do you see the major challenges for BCA over the next ten years or so? Before I talk about the challenges perhaps I could say a few words about the 50th Anniversary. It was a very moving event, well attended and much appreciated by all members and other representatives of the town. It was pleasing to see several of the founding members of BCA. The film that we made to celebrate the event, and having it in the Devonshire Dome, with great co-operation from the University, gave the event a strong sense of continuity. As for the future of BCA, I think there are four areas that it can contribute. One is how BCA has become more involved with other organisations in the town, and that can be developed further. All the organisations, the Town Team, Buxton Group, Transition Buxton, Vision Buxton, the Serpentine Farm, and of course all the various Friends groups do a great job. BCA has an advantage due its longevity and its membership of just over 500. It has financial resources and premises to offer other groups, so we have a special role to play. It’s not that we are better or cleverer than anyone else, we are complimentary. We have made a good start but we need to build on this further.
path improvements, sculptures and the areas for wildflowers in Grinlow. To some extent our woods are under exploited, not in business terms, but in creating opportunities for young people to learn about and understand the variety of wildlife that we have. We could do more to attract them and we now have a good chance because we have employed an experienced Woods Manager. Thirdly we have over 50,000 visitors annually and are finding that the Visitor Centre is simply not big enough during peak times. We have a challenge to improve what we offer, with a limited investment and without disrupting our business and changing its character too much. Fourthly we must of course continue to exert vigilance over planning matters. A recent example of the community groups coming together was the campaign to save the Serpentine Community Farm from being sold off to developers for housing. We were able to work together, with the other groups, to apply pressure on High Peak Borough Council. They had the good sense to see that it was not appropriate and not necessary to go ahead and for now, at least, the farm has been saved. So that is a good example of the need to be vigilant and to work together with the other community groups. So finally Mike what do you see as your most significant achievement over the last four years? It’s not so much my achievements as those of the Civic Association. I have been privileged to be the Chair but none of this comes about with one individual. It needs a group of people and we are fortunate to have a varied and united Board and dedicated and professional staff that deliver very high standards of service regardless of the conditions and pressure that they may be under. Also we have many hard working and talented volunteers who make major contribution to the success of BCA. If I had to name two areas; one would be the improvement to the accessibility of the woods with the paths and the information panels and sculptures. The second thing is that the Association has begun to retake its rightful place in the community alongside the other groups. It is heartening to see how much this is appreciated by people. At a time of very grave pressures on Councils, who do not always have the resources to do what they need to, the role of the voluntary groups is vital, and it is good to see BCA playing its part in this and I am sure it will continue.
Secondly we have these wonderful woods, and have made progress with
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The Root of Our Problem
What a relief to see creative thinking being brought to the subject of our street trees. After public protests that have catapulted the problem into public consciousness, with demonstrations on the streets of Sheffield it was, surprisingly, a welcome sight when the pavements around trees in College Road were dug up! This summer Derbyshire County Council used the time when the Community School was closed to offer some tender loving tree care. Richard Grindrod, Project Engineer for Derbyshire County Council explained more about the problem and a solution they are trying. “In towns the trees grow in close proximity to buildings and infrastructure, consequently the potential conflict is great and can be devastating for existing trees. If trees manage to establish and mature they may eventually be viewed as responsible for damage to pavements, sewer lines and foundations.” Is this really a problem with our trees or a problem with our planning and management of them? Dr Glynn Percival of Bartlett Tree Company, based at Reading University admits, “…there is not enough information to guide decisions made over trees by members of the public let alone architects, planners, builders and contractors. More understanding of tree biology, especially root systems, is crucial. Up to date, scientifically based understanding should avoid unintentional damage to tree root biology. With more understanding and sensible species selection, taking account of the ultimate size, trees make an essential and attractive addition to a planned urban environment. It has been suggested that species with adaptations should be more widely used on urban development sites.” It is Dr Percival’s promotion of the latest information about tree root systems that has informed the decisions made by Richard Grindrod. Data from the Kew Root Survey carried out after the storm of 1987 supports Percival’s assertion that 45-50% of tree roots occupy the top metre of soil with the remaining 50% extending no more than two metres.” There is no massive ‘tap’ or ‘anchor’ root that burrows forever, snake like, below our infrastructure. Percival adds that, “… ploughing, trenching, raising or lowering the soil level, even the top 200mm, can destroy a major proportion of a tree root system... As a useful rule of thumb a healthy vigorous tree that is still growing will be able to stand the loss of about 30% of its root system without showing any ill effects and 50% without dying. There may be problem of stability if all the roots from one side are severed.” Glynn Percival states that roots are attracted to the higher degree of humidity of soil just under the road surface. This causes an increase in surface cracks, the shallow roots making difficult pavement surfaces. The low level of fertility under the tarmac leads to the formation of fine lateral roots but once the tree is no longer restricted it explores its normal rooting pattern. Richard Grindrod and his team have used this advice to excavate around the trees in College Road to a depth of 170mm. A precast concrete unit is laid around the periphery of the excavated pit, finished level with the adjacent footway. An epoxy resin binder and aggregate, which provides a honeycomb surface, is put at the base of each tree. This permits access of air and water to the roots whilst still providing a paved surface for pedestrians. We are increasingly aware of the interdependence between humans and nature and here we see a positive choice being made and a growing awareness amongst the people who hold the chain saws.
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Anyone for Litter Picking?
Trevor Donald
In February 2016 Karen Beresford, a busy farmer's wife who finds litter really offensive, decided to do something practical and positive about the growing problem by starting a monthly litter picking group. The Buxton Town Team provide insurance to cover possible injuries since inevitably so much litter is dropped on road verges and pavements (but there have been no injuries so far), and High Peak Borough Council provide equipment and collect the bags of litter. We meet at 11.00am. on the first Wednesday of the month at a prearranged place where a build-up of litter has been reported. Karen has at present 38 volunteers but usually about ten turn up. Depending on the amount of litter we usually work for about an hour and a half and collect a crop of about twelve to fifteen large bin bags – and our streets, paths and lanes look so very much better for our efforts! Karen is always glad to hear from new enthusiastic litter pickers and you can contact her by email stoop.farm@icloud.com or telephone 01298 23618.
Talks & Events
Delightful June Blooms Record Visitor Numbers for Buxton’s Garden Trail Ann & Mike Wilde Buxton endured the “Beast from the East” in March, but a wonderful May and June reminded us of nature’s ebb and flow by producing a sublime balance of colour and fragrances we have experienced for years. We were witnesses to the very special and dramatic rhythm of Buxton’s seasonal beauty.
Preparatory work started in late March with a basic clean. Our grandson Jasper blasted away the winter weathered seating whilst Ann and I cut back shrubs, lifted and divided clumps of perennials and did a general tidy up. April saw us clearing weeds and feeding our shrubs and roses.
Gardening is certainly a puzzle: half the fun is trying to work it out. Designing a garden in harmony with the area you have and shaping it to be somewhere to encourage a feeling of well-being is an art. Maintaining the garden thereafter can be a therapeutic pastime. It’s certainly a healthy pursuit. It may even make you feel happier. If you have the space and time, cultivating ornamental plants to create a place to immerse yourself in countless colours and fragrances is such a rewarding thing to do. Ann learned from her Granny at an early age that a garden is a place to fire the inspiration and provide a canvas on which to show imagination and passion.
Our grandson Joel graduated in the art of ‘search-and-destroy weeding’ and ‘dead-heading’ just before the Trail opened. A garden can be a dreamy place to be enjoyed privately in quite moments of the day, but you can also choose to share its beauty. We found that being part of Buxton’s Garden Trail certainly extended our circle of friends and led to many an enthusiastic horticultural exchange with like-minded gardeners and visitors. It proved to be a valuable opportunity to talk about and learn what thrives and what struggles in our Buxton climate. It was nice to discover that we had an international audience with visitors from Germany and The Netherlands. There were also garden lovers from many parts of the South of England and Yorkshire as well as locals. It’s magnificent to know that Trail tickets sold this year allowed generous donations to be made to our local hospice Blythe House, Dementia Care, Befriending Service and Buxton Samaritans. Well done to Jo & David Holdway for pulling it all together, to our fellow gardeners, generous sponsors and of course, our lovely visitors for making the event such a brilliant success and securing the Buxton Garden Trail in to the next decade.
October 18th at Poole's Cavern Centre The Serpentine Community Farm story Speaker: Madeline Hall
Choosing robust plants that will compete successfully for space was a lesson learned early. It’s important to get the right plant in the right place; prepare the soil to suit the plant and have regard to the balance of available light and shade. If the conditions are right, the plants will be happier and so will you.
November 15th at Poole's Cavern Centre Octagon Restoration Speaker: Adam Bench
Best to start them young!
January 17th at Poole's Cavern Centre The Trent Rivers Trust Speaker: Chole Palmer
Buxton Coalfields Guided Heritage Walk
February 21st at Poole's Cavern Centre Talking about Buxton's Civic Pride Speaker: Anne Rogerson
Café News
BCA
mem b get ers disc a oun t
Regular groups continue to meet at the Café at the Cavern. The new tables and chairs have helped to create a bright, clean environment that is above all made very welcoming by the friendly, helpful staff. Don’t forget to pick up a loyalty card to give to friends who aren’t members yet.
Open 9.30am to 4.30pm daily.
Heritage Open Day Ian Parker
Curiosity got the better of me when I saw this advertised on Twitter. What, as an experienced archaeologist with a bent toward prehistory, could I get from going on a tour like this? As it turned out, quite a lot. I don’t know about you, but I’m always interested in the history and heritage of the places I live. The more recent past of Buxton is perhaps focused on the centre of town and the re-development of the Crescent at the moment, but there’s more to the town than that. The tour was ably led by Lyn, and after a short introductory slide show to set the scene we set off to the end of Macclesfield Old Road, the start of the walk. Almost straight away there was evidence of the mining heritage of the town in the form of a street name – Level Lane. Not so named for the obvious, but because it was the site of a ‘level’, which in mining parlance means a horizontal tunnel usually for drainage. From this point on there was a surprisingly extensive post-industrial landscape, much of which I suspect is seen and yet not seen by many of our fellow residents as they drive up and down to Macclesfield. Railway sidings, coke ovens, sluices, mine shafts, turnpike roads – yes there’s more than one – tunnels and trackways are all to be found within the area between the Old and New Macclesfield roads. All of this was built, used and eventually abandoned in less than 200 years. A short time in archaeological terms.
Once you become familiarised with the landscape you can see that there’s more beyond the scope of this tour, and of course you may well be interested in chasing your new-found interest in industrial archaeology further. As a taster for the subject, and the work of Buxton Civic Association, this tour is well worth the effort. Do try it out!
For information about our walks and talks go to the News tab at our website www.buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk
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News From the Cavern
Babbling Vagabonds
More Sculptures The Hunter’s Prey r,
Dear Edito
at Grinlow Hi there, were doing ur newsletter. e w t a h w ow yo let BCA kn ictures for I wanted to mmer and to send p su ccessful woods this credibly su in s a w s d the woo resented in audiences. What we p l received with our ion el w y our product and ver estival and d in the category F ge n ri F ate ton got nomin of the Bux It was part lk, the Golden Thief" a W of "A Wild s. ies". over 3 day "For Famil 4 take part were women. 3 3 f o ce n ie g ed had an aud ose survey were lookin In total we 55 families, 44 of th e majority of those th ed We survey to see our work and 38 were new ay out. yd for a famil the venue walked to s ie il 3 fam der 5 miles n s drove u ie il m fa 0 miles 3 drove 5-10 13 families rove over 10 miles Looks like a great family day out and great to see so many d 10 families visitors in the woods. The Babbling Vagabonds hope to be performing in Grinlow next year. nders u a -S y se Tara Horn
Finally our Stone Age hunter has his prey – a beautifully carved deer that helps tell the narrative of our cavern as a home for early humans, especially for our younger visitors who study The Stone Ages in Key Stage 2.
Notes from our General Manager Alan Walker Numbers are up! I’ve checked the woodland counter and we had a 2.7% increase on 2017 of woodland visitors in July and August, that’s around 660 extra visitors over the summer. Extra Visits to the Café and Shop too. Many of them went on to enjoy our café, especially the outside seating area during the amazing hot spell. It has a wide range of delicious produce including daily specials, light snacks and fair-trade coffee. Our rock and gift centre has a wide range of fossils, gemstones and jewellery on offer. There are plenty of ideas for Christmas gifts and stocking fillers. Growing Enthusiasm – encouraging our young nature lovers.
Introducing our new woods manager Kevin Thomson “I’ve come a long way … from Whaley Bridge to Furness Vale! We moved about twelve years ago to our small holding, a little farm of thirteen acres which is mainly down to pasture. We keep horses, sheep, hens, geese, turkeys, dogs and cats. We have three acres of woodland and it’s a nice spot, peaceful and quiet.” He has always enjoyed history, nature and conservation and feels this is due to his upbringing. He wants to plant that same seed in the heads of children at an early age. His responses to questions are threaded through with his emphasis on educating people about our coexistence with the natural environment for the physical and mental benefit of all. He will be working for BCA for three days a week and his priority at the moment is to cut out the tree regrowth in the glades. We have no grazing regime so this has to be done artificially by strimming now that the plants have seeded. The glades must then be raked to take off the cut vegetation so as to reduce the build-up of nutrients. This also helps to keep the soil shallow which is so important for the plants that grow in this environment. He would like to open up more glades to promote the biodiversity of the area whilst still keeping the specialness of the woodland. Getting more of our local schools involved in the woods is an important goal. He is approaching schools with a view to developing outdoor education. He has already spent a day alongside Alan Walker working with Fairfield Junior School on woodland habitats. He wants to promote the idea of linking local schools to Grinlow and also their nearest BCA wood. Harpur Hill could work in Sherbrook, Burbage in Shay Lodge and St Annes in Corbar for example. He really wants people to experience what our other woods have to offer. He is excited by the development of Forest Schools and trying to promote outdoor learning and has led groups on bushcraft and survival days in the past. As a National Park Area Ranger for 21 years he has wide experience with all aspects of managing public shared space, an idea he would 10
like to develop from his previous employment is mindfulness and wellbeing guided walks to help improve people’s mental health. We look forward to this and an enlarged guided walk programme in the New Year. He understands the importance of encouraging people to use the space without losing its ‘specialness. “You are free to roam. There are so many little tracks up in the wood that you could wander for hours and not meet a soul. People think the woods are run by DCC and don’t realise enough just what BCA do. We need to promote what we are doing in our woods.” He is meeting with local artists to plan more events for 2019, with one idea being a themed history trail around Grinlow or Corbar. A good way to get out into our woodlands is through volunteering. Kevin sees the opportunity to increase our volunteer numbers and develop three groups here. Firstly there’s always practical help. Secondly, low key volunteering. This is getting people on board who come into the woods regularly like dog walkers. They could be our ‘eyes and ears’ and are aware of any changes, often from early in the morning. They could also be encouraged to pick up a bin bag and litter picker. Finally people could volunteer to record our natural history looking at our birds, trees, spiders etc., and doing surveys especially in our smaller woods.
My favourite tree Kevin Thomson
Mary Colwell
On a warm Saturday afternoon in June 2005, I was walking with my son in the Goyt valley hoping to persuade him of the joys of birdwatching. We watched a short-earned owl silently quarter the hillside above Wildmoorstone, and wheatears chase each other along the drystone walls. Skylarks sang in the clear blue sky and meadow pipits parachuted down as part of their display flight. But it was the curlews that were the star attraction that Saturday. Their mournful, warbling cries rang across the valley and there was a group of twenty of them standing on the broken-down walls by the disused railway track, while others flew down to the marshy ground by the stream to feed. But since 2005 curlew numbers have declined in the Goyt and they have struggled to breed. Sadly, their plight in the Goyt is happening across the British Isles. There could be as few as 33,000 pairs of curlew left in the British Isles, but the story is even more shocking in Ireland where from thousands of pairs, there are perhaps a few hundred hanging on.
We are expecting more visits as Poole’s Cavern has formed an educational development partnership with the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust and Buxton Museum to create and promote educational opportunities for schools visiting across our three sites and Buxton in general.
Curlew Moon is the story of Mary Colwell’s five hundred mile walk from the West coast of Ireland to the East coast of England to raise awareness of the curlew’s plight and to visit some of the worst areas of decline and the very occasional success stories. On her journey she met up with fellow curlew enthusiasts and heard about the love people have for these beautiful birds and their sadness at their passing.
Scott Russell has been appointed Educational Development Officer and is starting to research and develop a strategy for school visits to the town’s major visitor attractions in this new post funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Have Fun Learning Together The new cavern family packs are proving popular and match the schools resources we’ve developed along the themes of Prehistoric Cave Dwellers, Victorian Explorers and Archaeologists and Woodland Lime Workers. They are available at the Visitor Centre and will add extra interest to any visit to the Country Park. On sale at the Visitor Centre
My favourite tree Alan Walker
Please contact Kevin on: woods@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk
Curlew Moon
Kevin Thomson (our new Woods Manager) and I took two groups of Year 3's around the woods looking at different habitats of our woodland creatures from fungi to insects, birds and the animals of the woods. We have frequent school visits, for much of the year now.
It's a rowan. It combines a historic mythology, folklore and natural beauty. I used to have a lot but they have started to die.
The Woodland Volunteers who meet on the last Monday of each month will also now meet on the second Monday of the month.
Book Review
I like the single juniper bush on the top glade at Grinlow which has been recorded in existence for many years and as it is possibly the only wild variety of juniper in Derbyshire, it is very special OR the blackthorn which makes excellent habitat and of course lots of sloes for winter bird food and tasty gin. Can we plant the whole wood with blackthorn and juniper and start a gin farm?
Intensive farming and habitat loss are the main reasons for their decline. The curlew like many other of our birds is being squeezed into small isolated islands of habitat, so that, where once their ground nesting strategy afforded them protection from catastrophic loss to predation by weight of their numbers, now the handful that nest together, easily fall victim to predators or lose their nests to the combine harvester as the fields are cut early for silage. If the loss of our hay meadows is in part to blame in the British Isles, in Ireland it is the destruction of the raised bogs. As well as being the perfect habitat for the curlew, the burning of the turf releases carbon dioxide and there is a double whammy. The raised bogs are one of the most efficient landforms at carbon sequestration. Colwell does not shy away from controversy. She discusses the need for predator control, in particular foxes and corvids to protect the isolated pockets of nesting curlew and tackles the question of culling one species to preserve and protect another. But these are short term solutions. The curlew’s decline is linked to the widespread and remorseless habitat destruction that has taken place since the end of the Second World War. Unless we can address that and seek the recovery of wide scale landscapes and sustainable ecosystems then we will lose this wonderful bird from our islands and our lives will be immeasurably the poorer. Simon Fussell
11
News From Our Committees Woodland The Ring of Trees is being rewritten. Many of the signs have been broken and the walk is best used in conjunction with an OS map. Please remember the walk, from Grinlow car park, starts to the left of the Go Ape Cabin on the lower path by the drystone wall. The public footpath sign at the entrance to Plex Farm is no longer visible. Turn left through the farmyard. There is a Ring of Trees sign on the stile at the end of the farmyard and the footpath is clearly marked, on the left, to our wood – Shay Lodge.
Membership and Community There have been two stalls at Buxton Market Place and a stall for Civic Day at Turner’s Memorial run by volunteers and promoting the work of BCA in the town. This is a great opportunity to encourage local people to join us and with a membership of about 500, we are very influential and active in the town. We need people who care about where we live to speak up and have these important opinions shared and aired. The talks organised by the group continue to be very well supported and a calendar of environmental and heritage talks has been booked for next year. If you are able to volunteer to help set up or serve coffee at these events please contact Simon at communications@ buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk BCA sponsored two main literary events in the Buxton Festival. We hope to be involved again in 2019. Members and visitors were also invited to events for Heritage Open Day, the Duke’s Legacy Walk, The Buxton Coalfields Walk and a talk on the History of Limestone Quarries. These walks and talks help to raise our profile in the town and also the importance of the preservation of our industrial heritage. We are currently reviewing our website, which has been up and running now for over five years. If you would like to help with decisions about the ‘new look’ website please contact Simon.
Planning and Environment
See our up-to-date comments in full on our website. Station Road Site - HPK/2018/0120 BCA is delighted to give this outline application its full support as the proposed development of a medical centre is important for Buxton. The current proposal has a disappointingly, square block appearance and whilst the stone represents the materials of the area, there is a need to blend the design with other buildings present in Buxton and reflect more of the town’s heritage. Buckingham Hotel - HPK/2018/0241 notes from Member’s Meeting on this issue were included in our submission.
University of Derby Site, Harpur Hill HPK/2018/0315 Resubmission by Persimmon. Planning Appeal for housing on Leek Road HPK/2018/0110. The BCA response to the appeal covers matters relating to the Local Plan, especially with regard to the protection of the Peak District area. BCA has already objected to the previous application. The planning application is outside the built up area of Buxton and there are ‘no exceptional circumstances’.
Corporate Affairs The Serpentine Community Farm thanked BCA for supporting their successful campaign to save the nursery garden from closure. HPBC gave SCF notice to quit at the height of the growing season. Within a few days BCA had organised a leafleting campaign. BCA also set up a Save the Serpentine Community Farm Facebook page. As a result of the campaigning efforts of various groups and individuals SCF has been offered a temporary lease while a longer term solution is negotiated. This campaign demonstrated BCA’s ability to bring organisations in the town together. The Market Place Cistern and Fountain is the property of HPBC. Evidence of ownership has been confirmed by close inspection of historical documents and maps. A high quality booklet has been produced showing its unique importance to Buxton. The evidence will be included in a letter to HPBC with a request that it is time act.
Places and Spaces As usual there is a long list of ‘grot spots’ but an increasing list of success stories. It’s so good to know that they are on someone’s ‘to do’ list’. This group have successfully:
Delivered their planning proposals to a planning officer at HPBC to develop the BCA sensory garden in Water Street on the site of the old toilet block.
After various requests the Bath Road pavement has been resurfaced.
Management Team General Manger Alan Walker Woods Manager Kevin Thompson Communications Simon Fussell
Board Members Chair Peter Phillipson (Acting) 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 Environment Andy Banks Heritage Adam Bench Places & Spaces Alan Roberts
Walls have been repaired at the Fountain Street substation, the Palace Hotel and the Market Place. The weir in the Serpentine is now repaired. This is just an example of some of the places and spaces we have had our eye on. Determined that we can make a difference, this group, set up in 2015 shows what can be done.
We would really enjoy reading your articles and seeing your photos about Buxton in our newsletter. Spring edition will be about Stone.
Editor Alyson Phillips newsletter@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk
www. buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk
Buxton Civic Association Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre Green Lane Buxton SK17 9DH t 01298 26978
BCA1967
Registered Charity in England & Wales Reg. No. 258163
e communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk