Welcome to the February edition of our e-newsletter. There is lots of news to report this month and a couple of events for members, one of which is a citizens science project. We have also down to London to visit the Palace of Westminster.
The cold weather turned much of the woodland paths in Grinlow into a skating rinks but luckily there were no serious accidents. The snow has gone and there is plenty of nesting activity in the woods as birds get ready for spring.
We always welcome any feedback so if anyone has any suggestions for future members events or wants to contribute a piece of writing or a photograph for the website then get in touch either by dropping into the Visitor Centre or sending us an email or letter. The details are at the foot of the newsletter.
PAUL DINSDALE HANDS OVER THE CHAIR TO MIKE MONAGHAN
EXCITING TIMES FOR GRIN LOW WOODS
Buxton Civic Association have been working with the RSPB and Forestry Commission for the past year to develop a plan to improve the bio diversity of Grin Woods. The first phase of this plan is ready to be implemented.
The plan is designed to create more open spaces within the woods and to creating a graduated pattern of vegetation at the margin of the woods.
The plan involves three elements;
To improve a woodland ride. A 'Ride' is a woodland corridor often an existing track with graduated fringes from grassland through to a shrub margin. Increased light and warmth to the woodland floor improves habitat for wildflowers, invertebrates small mammals and birds. It also creates ideal bat and bird of prey hunting areas.
Reducing encroaching sycamore beech and ash from the woodland glade fringes. This will improve biodiversity in these regionally and nationally important Limestone wildflower habitats.
To create a graduated woodland fringe to improve the diversity of tree and shrub species through selective replanting and improve natural regeneration.
In addition we are building and siting another twenty nest boxes to support and encourage woodland species such as the pied fly catcher.
The end result will be to increase the numbers of species both of birds and plants and to make the woods an even more attractive habitat. With pressure on the environment from global warming and the potential impact of Ash die back it is important that as the woods reach maturity we manage them in an effective manner.
To do this we will need to cut down and thin out some of the trees within a limited area of the woods. This has been agreed with the Forestry Commission and Natural England.
WHAT YOU WILL NOTICE
Over the next few weekends felling will commence in the woods. Though we are aiming to keep disruption to a minimum you may hear the sound of chain saws coming from the woods, and of course access will be restricted in certain places.
During forestry operations at weekends in March please observe warning notices, be aware of moving vehicles in the wood and do not enter taped off areas even if you don't hear chainsaws. Please keep dogs on a lead at all times.
PLANNING - BUXTON MINERAL WATER SITE
Buxton Civic Association (BCA) Members meeting to discuss the proposed development of the old Buxton Mineral Water bottling water site on Station Road, Buxton, planning application ref HPK/2014/0560.
Below is the text of the Press Release published in the Buxton advertiser.
Poole’s Cavern visitors centre was packed on Monday evening February 9th when members of BCA voted unanimously to reject the proposals for the redevelopment of the vacant site on Station road.
The meeting rejected the need for another supermarket, hotel or indeed any additional retail space and were very concerned that the proposed scheme would lead to an increase in traffic congestion on the bypass and had made no attempt to improve connections from the site with the town centre.
It was also concluded that scheme lacked imagination and simply relied on the usual formula of retail and hotel space, ignoring the need for residential and leisure schemes, that a majority of residents had indicated in earlier surveys that they wanted to see.
The meeting had been organised to give members the opportunity to discuss the proposed scheme. Tim Middleton, BCA director and chair of the planning team gave a short presentation of the scheme before opening the meeting out to members, but urged them to write individually with any concerns they may have on the proposed scheme.
Although the meeting had not been held to discuss alternative uses, members were keen to put alternative proposals forward. It was felt though that at this stage the important thing was to raise the objections that members had articulated, to High Peak Borough Council, (HPBC)
There is a link to the planning application on the BCA website at www.buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk/planning if readers would like to view the proposals and make up their own mind about the proposals and make their feelings known to HPBC
The Matter will be considered by HPBC planning committee on 16th March 2015
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
We are planning to do a butterfly survey this summer at Grin Low Wood and we are looking for volunteers. Do you have an interest in butterflies and can you identify them? The season starts at the beginning of April and goes through to the end of September..................
This year Buxton Civic Association is celebrating the International Dawn Chorus Day on May 3rd. This is an international event and will be taking place all around the world.
To read more and find out how to go on the walk please click here
MEMBERS EVENT
VISIT TO PARLIAMENT
Read about our visit to the Palace of Westminster here
The Westminster Tour Party in the Great Hall with High Peak MP Andrew Bingham.
HILARY LAWRENCE LEAVING PRESENTATION
Hilary Lawrence has resigned after twenty seven years as a director of Buxton Civic Association, and to celebrate her outstanding contribution, a presentation evening was held at Poole’s Cavern visitors centre.
We are looking for contributions for our printed Newsletter. Does anyone have any memories of using the Devonshire Hospital? If you do and would be happy to share them email a short piece (250 words) and we will include it in the Newsletter.
THE DEADLINE IS 13th MARCH 2015.
FUTURE MEMBERS EVENT
We are organizing a trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park for either the end of May or begining of June. We will be writing to you with the details shortly..
