SPRING 2013 THE NEWSLETTER FOR CIVIC ASSOCIATION ISSUE 24

Obituary Peak Cavern was instrumental in Dave’s drive and enthusiasm David G Allsop the re-formation of the team. He helped build Poole’s Cavern in to was an enthusiastic promoter and a modern popular visitor attrac- Dave Allsop will be remembered fundraiser and controller of the tion. He developed exhibitions for by many as the warden of Poole’s central team of DCRO from 1964 the visitor centre, worked with Cavern and Buxton Country Park until 1998, only retiring in 2000 outside agencies to gain financial SPRING 2013 THE NEWSLETTER FOR BUXTON CIVIC ASSOCIATION ISSUE 24 from its re-opening in 1977 by after more than 40 years. He co- assistance for the regeneration of Buxton Civic Association. wrote the first definitive guide the country park woodlands and book to the caves and mines of worked tirelessly repairing walls, in 1964, a caver’s bi- planting trees and clearing glades. The Good Hobbits of Burbage ble now in its 4th updated reprint. He wrote two visitor guides for the cavern and instigated the forma- List entry summary This building By profession Dave was an elec- tion of the British Association of is listed under the Planning (Listed trician and was commissioned in Show caves to jointly promote Buildings and Conservation 1976 to install electric lighting in education and conservation. He Areas) Act 1990 as amended for Poole’s Cavern for the re-opening also featured in a number of tele- its special architectural or historic as a visitor attraction by BCA. vision documentaries and news interest. Working alone underground for items covering Buxton and Poole’s several months, the cavern was Cavern. Location LIMEHOUSE AT NGR magnificently illuminated for the SK 04150 72620, MACCLESFIELD official opening in 1977. Dave When Solomon’s Temple was de- OLD ROAD BURBAGE SK17 SXT was appointed as Warden with clared unsafe and condemned by Grade: II Listed duties to manage the Country Derbyshire County Council it was Date first listed: 31-Jan-1997 Dave Allsop (L) with Jean Pendlebury Park woodlands too, as a keen Dave who stepped forward to or- and two of her young grandchildren in Grin Low Wood in 1993 and knowledgeable naturalist, ganise fundraising events and ral- birdwatcher and expert photogra- lied the people of Buxton to lobby Dave’s interest in exploring caves pher there could have been no- councillors to save to tower. Every Cloud… Flowers For started when he and a group one more qualified for that post. of friends at Buxton Youth club In later life Dave trekked to Mount When the new High Peak Local Buxton” 1811). These limehouses Summer armed with old clothes, bicycle Working alongside Dave was nev- Everest base camp, a lifelong am- Consultation plans were released are a unique record of life from In late spring take a walk up to lamps and ex-army helmets set er a dull moment. He could be a bition, despite crippling arthritis for housing site options an 1780s onwards. Solomon’s Temple. Growing in off to explore the caverns and old hard task master and always de- and knee injuries he remained ac- unexpected gem emerged hidden the short turf you will see the lead mines of the . It manded dedication to duty and tive hill climbing and walking with from view just below the boundary The dwellings around Grin Low lovely mountain pansies. They was with these friends that Dave respect. He was a superb wit and his dog. Dave retired from Poole’s of the Country Park. Fortunately were abandoned when the Duke are almost always yellow, but became a founder member of the raconteur and would regale both Cavern in 1997 and enjoyed long one of our eagle eyed members of Devonshire’s agent, Mr Wilmot, occasionally a blue one might be Eldon Pothole Club in 1957, which visitors and cave guides with epic holidays at his caravan overlook- informed the local planners and provided the occupants with found. The blue mountain pansies still thrives to this day. tales of underground adventures ing the Llyn peninsula. site B15 was successfully removed cottages at Poole’s Cavern and are usually found further north. and ‘derring do’. He inspired me – they had overlooked grade II some lovely old cottages still During the late 1950s Dave be- and many others to enjoy the Dave leaves his wife Brenda, chil- listed buildings! remain. Slowly the lime tips were came an active member of Der- world of cave exploration and the dren Carol and Ian and grand- colonised by lime loving species June and Lyn Noble from their Guide to the Wild Flowers of Grin byshire Cave Rescue Organisation unique camaraderie and bond daughters, our thoughts and sym- The Limehouses of Burbage of herbaceous plants and grasses and following the tragic and highly that exists between cavers and pathies are with them. such as Northern Marsh Orchid, Low Country Park available from Poole’s Cavern. publicised loss of a young caver in mountaineers. Alan Walker The spoil heaps that make up the Burnet Saxifrage, Globe flower, mysterious, sculptured landscape Mountain Everlasting, Creeping of the Country Park and especially willow and Juniper creating a Buxton Civic Association the area known by BCA members unique habitat. as ‘The Glade’ were once the General Manager: Alan Walker at Poole’s Cavern, 01298 26978 homes of lime burners, little The remaining limehouses can be found in Burbage and are well Board Members caves or ash houses made in worth a visit. Traces of manmade Chair: Paul Dinsdale Woodlands: Peter Phillipson Vision Liaison: Mike Bryant the small hillocks left from lime stone walls can be seen, used Vice chair & Community & Stephen Robinson burning. Built in the late 18th to make these lime caves more Planning: Hilary Lawrence Membership: Alistair Rogerson century from quarried lime refuse homely. Now that they have been Secretary: Martin Wragg Development: Bill Preece they are simple rectangular rediscovered let’s hope they will Treasurer: Brian Shawcross Environment: Mike Monaghan structures, open at the front with an overhanging roof. be preserved so that we can all see at first hand the way we used Editor: Alyson Phillips These limehouses are a unique to live. Production: Charlotte Tangye Design record of life from 1780s onwards. Email: [email protected] A description of 1797 records More details and a map can be Web: www.buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk them as often having three or four found on the English Heritage Contact: BCA, Poole’s Cavern, Green Lane, Buxton, SK17 9DH rooms and being built next to the website see the summary and Registered charity number in and Wales 258163 limekiln. (A Jewitt’s “History of following grid reference: SPRING 2013 THE NEWSLETTER FOR BUXTON CIVIC ASSOCIATION ISSUE 24 SPRING 2013 THE NEWSLETTER FOR BUXTON CIVIC ASSOCIATION ISSUE 24

Can Skating Make A Come Back? Members’ News & Events By Olive Middleton Another cold, snowy and icy winter Asylum for ‘gentle-folk’ for which Somerset House, the huge Marie Hurlston: 1935 – 2013 Woodlands Update made many older members think Wye House was originally built in quadrangle of offices which once back to early days in Buxton when its distinctive ‘chateau’ style. housed government offices and Marie was born in Stafford and read English and Members will be pleased to see the improvements locals and visitors alike waited to civil servants, is now freely open to Geography at Keele University. She taught English to the drainage of paths in Corbar woods and wheel- see if the big boating lake in the The rink or more correctly in the all. On The Strand it now boasts an for many years at the Cavendish Girls’ School in chair users have been able to access the new paths. Pavilion Gardens would freeze ‘curling pond’, is now beneath the array of fountains in the summer Buxton and stayed on as a familiar and friendly Hogshaw wood has, for the time being, been cleared over enough to tempt out the top set of flats to the right (east) in its beautiful central square. In figure about town in her retirement. of litter but please be vigilant and report anything to skaters! of the main house. There was also winter it is transformed into a Alan at Poole’s Cavern. If you have become aware an early curling pond near the skating rink with refreshments on Marie was a Life Member of Buxton Civic Asso- of any obstructions on the Ring of Trees walk please The Victorians were the first to Octagon in the Gardens, later just sale and complete with fairy lights ciation, an active member of the volunteer group contact Alan. popularise the sport of curling used for skating. When winter and decorations. This amazing helping Alan in the woods every month, a mem- and a neighbour told me – when came, the water from the Wye space used to be a car park all ber of the Woodlands Subcommittee, and a very We have had nine regular volunteers who have the former John Duncan School flowing into the former boating day, closed to the public. knowledgeable member of the U3A Botany Group. helped in the woodlands each month. This winter building called Wye House on lake was diverted into a channel Though a quiet and very private lady she would they have also helped Alan with planting 50 new Corbar Road was standing derelict around the north edge of the lake It is now so popular that there are speak up firmly when she saw a matter of prin- trees and the making and installing of bird boxes – that Buxton’s first curling rink so that the remaining shallow one or two hour slots which have ciple was involved. She was devoted to our wood- too. was in its garden. He took me up water in the lake would freeze to be booked in advance. The idea lands, to wild flowers and to animal welfare. to see it. There was a lawn about easily. has spread and there are rinks We have also had volunteers from the University 50 yards square surrounded by and refreshments not only in the It was a privilege to have known her and she will of Derby Conservation group who are interested in the remains of a hedge and Skating Comes Full Circle moat at the Tower of London but be much missed: Buxton Civic Association has conservation work in BCA woods. iron fence, with an iron gate at the Natural History Museum lost a loyal friend and supporter. hanging from it on one hinge at Skating and winter sports garden and between John Lewis Trevor Donald the entrance. It must have been generally seem to be popular and Canary Wharf tower – why created for the residents of the again: why especially in London? not here in Buxton? Congratulations to Jean Pendlebury - Cavern News ‘Action Woman’ BCA member Jean Pendlebury (pictured back page) Alterations to Our Café: An Interview with Paula has been justly honoured for her tireless work as a fundraiser for our community. As secretary and need for change and to respond Children really enjoy their soup Poole’s Cavern administrator she was instrumental to a healthier lifestyle as well as in a cup with toast soldiers. We’re in the purchase of the cave and original visitor cen- knowing customers need to pop here for all the family. With ample tre, which continue to enable us to pay for the main- in for a good value breakfast and parking it’s a great place to meet tenance of our woodland. How wonderful that such a great welcome after a healthy up. commitment has been recognised with an honour. walk in the Country Park. Well done and thank you Jean Pendlebury MBE. Parts of the cave are accessible to Dates For Your Diary Paula says visitors really appreci- everyone and waiting in the café ate the ‘country kitchen feel’ of is great - we have the best view in AGM - to be held at Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre the café with enough space for the house!” New Staff on 17 June 2013 at 7.30pm. Notices to be issued by buggies and wheelchairs. Thursday 23 May 2013. She uses only locally sourced Proposals to make changes to the We are looking to appoint a new business manager/ ham and bacon from Mycocks in café are necessary due to the in- qualified ranger. The advertisement has appeared in Buxton Festival Fringe Events 2013 Buxton. She is pleased that her creasing popularity of this facility. the local press. customers will now settle down There will be new menu boards Hamlet in Poole’s Cavern Following last year’s and enjoy the wonderful picture and bigger plans include a con- award-winning, sell-out hit A Midsummer Night’s Paula has done a great job look- window, watching the wildlife in servatory and a new play area. Dream, Butterfly Theatre will return to Poole’s Caver ing for locally sourced food and is all seasons with good hot coffee Low energy light bulbs will help 50th Anniversary to produce a unique hour-long version of Shake- justifiably proud of the new menu. from the new bean to cup ma- conserve electricity and a plan to speare’s tragedy Hamlet in this unique space. See chine. collect rainwater for reusing with- What do members think about a new wood to mark Fringe programme for details. Tickets to be booked The emphasis on healthy eating in the building show that we are BCA’s 50th anniversary in 2017? through the Opera House. can be seen in the new menus – What Would She Recommend? aware of the importance of con- all a huge change from catering serving our environment. We seem to be losing so many of our trees in the Time Travel The 160th anniversary of the 1853 from the Portakabin here in 2007. Paula says, “Why not come and town and with plans for more new housing develop- opening of the Poole’s Cavern show cave will be cel- sample homemade soup, home- Remember the café can be hired ments wouldn’t it be great to insist on more trees ebrated with a dramatic Victorian tour of the cave She’s the first to acknowledge the made vegetable or beef chilli. for events. too? by Martin Beard. See Fringe programme for details. SPRING 2013 THE NEWSLETTER FOR BUXTON CIVIC ASSOCIATION ISSUE 24 BCA and the Environment Protecting and enhancing the lo- Results of the Audit Follow up Audit cal environment is central to BCA and as a responsible organisation Our impact on the environment is A follow up to the initial audit was we also need to recognise that we both positive and negative. carried out in 2011 and presented have to respond to wider environ- at the AGM. The majority of the mental concerns. On the positive side by preserving targets had been met constituting and enhancing our ten woodlands substantial progress in the time These are splendid sentiments and Poole’s Cavern we provide since the first audit. One striking with which few would disagree – a positive experience for all our example is the success in reducing but how do we put them into ef- visitors and education for many our ‘carbon footprint’ – especially fect? groups of young visitors. Over 25 through the new low energy light- items to commend were noted; ing in the cave. Improvements to Organisations of all types from these included the high standard the paths continue to enhance vis- voluntary bodies such as the Na- of care of the woods, careful su- itor satisfaction. tional Trust to commercial com- pervision of contractors, recycling panies accept that to be effective and composting bins and the use The Future in this area clear environmental of environmentally friendly office policies are required, tailored to equipment. But we can’t rest on our laurels so the organisation and regularly a new set of even more ambitious monitored. On the negative side the visitor tasks have been agreed for the centre uses substantial quantities next period. They include looking So in 2009 BCA introduced a for- of energy and water and gener- at a new water harvesting system, mal Environmental Policy and de- ates additional traffic. further reducing energy use in cided to carry out periodic Envi- the shop and café and further im- ronmental Audits. This first audit Recommendations for provements to paths in the woods sought to identify our main en- Improvement as well as the installation of bird vironmental impacts and to mi- and bat boxes. nimise them. We looked at ways 24 improvement targets were we are enhancing the local en- agreed covering the woods and We constantly seek to improve vironment and what steps could cave, the café, the shop and gen- on our already excellent environ- be taken to improve the existing eral management. For example mental standards. If any member situation. Although we had never the preparation of an improved reading this has suggestions we formalised our environmental pol- information leaflet and exhibition would be delighted to consider icy and programme we discovered in the in the school room about them. excellent practice already in place the woods and making the food thanks to well informed and com- on offer in the café healthier and Mike Monaghan, Director mitted management. more environmentally sound. responsible for Environment

Latest Advice on Ash Die-Back Remember Stick & Flick

Signs of the ash die-back disease pathogens and these beautiful Once again let us remind you of will only be noticed when the ash trees that are such an integral the advantages of ‘stick and flick’. come into leaf. There is a proce- part of our treasured landscape dure of notification on the Natural will survive. This is much more preferable than England website. decorating our woodland with small plastic bags that cannot It is hoped that English ash trees biodegrade, especially if they are will prove more resistant than swinging in the trees. continental ashes. We must be vigilant for signs of the disease Regular dog walkers are very following advice from Natural welcome and are likely to see new England and the Forestry Com- litter and vandalism and report mission. Information on their this at Poole’s Cavern. websites is comprehensive and well worth a look. Dogs are welcome at the café and we have new, improved compli- Let’s hope the long, cold, frosty A tree infected with Chalara fraxinea, mentary dog biscuits! winter has killed off any foreign or ash dieback disease. SPRING 2013 THE NEWSLETTER FOR BUXTON CIVIC ASSOCIATION ISSUE 24 Dear Editor… Contributions from Members on Icons of Buxton

We are still collecting images by. They might just discover the sent to us for our competition – real purpose of Solomon’s Temple Icons of Buxton. Please continue - as a flying saucer landing pad. to send them in and we will in- Or has anyone got a better sug- clude as many as we can either in gestion? the newsletter or on the new BCA Dave Hale members notice board, which will put up in the cafe as part of the new planned alterations. We will The last laugh give more details about the com- Dear Editor. We carry out volun- petition when we re-launch the tary woodland management and website. glade conservation tasks with Alan Walker. During our most re- An Alternative View cent visit last Monday, we picked up a copy of the Civic Association So who was the mysterious Hi Alyson. I’ve just received is- newsletter where we noticed the John Kane? sue 23 of the BCA Newsletter and request for suggestions about enjoyed the images of Solomon’s ‘Icons of Buxton’ and the need to As a travelling actor and come- Temple. May I offer an alternative safeguard them. We would like to dian of “considerable distinction” view? suggest the grave of John Kane in it seems his final visit to Buxton St Anne’s churchyard. was in 1799 where he was thought to have mistakenly eaten hemlock As a famous comedian, we abso- while fulfilling an engagement at lutely love his “last laugh” - that the Opera House … he died. of having his grave face the oppo- site way to everyone else’s in the Read more in Wikipedia – it’s a graveyard!! However, today the fascinating entry although he grave is in need of care and atten- couldn’t have performed at THE tion - a task we’re very happy to Opera House because it opened in undertake with the relevant per- 1903. There were theatres in the mission and under the umbrella Assembly Rooms and the Court- of a Civic Association scheme. It house and as the town became This was created for grandchil- is a shame that John’s life story, more popular the need for a prop- dren who complained about being written around the outer edge of er theatre grew. More importantly dragged up such a steep slope. the grave fencing lies hidden by where did poor old John Kane par- overgrown vegetation. take of the beef and ‘horseradish What’s it for? What’s up there sauce’ what ‘done him in’! anyway? Well up there might just Sue and David Carlisle be an ice cream van. Grandpar- Next time we will include a piece ents are allowed to lie, oops, ex- BCA is now in discussion with on Fellow Morton - an intriguing aggerate. There might be strange the churchwarden and English local figure, and closely connect- beasties to find, chase and maybe Heritage as the grave is a listed ed with BCA so please feel free to be chased by and possibly eaten monument. contribute by email.

Tell your friends about us. Remember copies of the What Can I Do To Help? newsletter are available on our website too.

Guided walks from the Cavern. Do any members Buying cards – we have a fantastic choice of local have time to organise walks for pleasure or as a views and artwork at Poole’s Cavern shop … and don’t fundraiser whilst the festival season is in full swing? forget to try out the new coffee and snacks. Do you have any good quality books you could do- Woodlands Group – get fit and help maintain our nate to our book swapping scheme? Please bring woodlands. Meets at 9.30am at Poole’s Cavern on the your books to the café and choose one of our pre- last Monday of each month. owned books to read.

Gardening Group – meets on occasional Fridays at We now have a Membership and Community Com- Poole’s Cavern from 9.30am–12noon. New members mittee. The next meeting is at the café at Poole’s welcome. Call 01298 26978 if you’d like to volunteer. Cavern on 29 April at 10.30am.