Buxton Civic Association appeals for help after funding disappears

The environmental charity – which maintains 200 acres of woods in Buxton – has lost its main source of income after having to close Poole’s Cavern as well as its shop and cafe.

BCA uses income from Poole’s Cavern - one of the Peak District’s top tourist attractions – to fund maintenance of the much-loved and much-used paths in Buxton’s woodlands.

Chairman Peter Philipson told how social distancing had proved just how important woodlands were for peace and exercise – however they still needed looking after.

Peter said: “We're a small charity caring about Buxton – we love seeing people enjoying our woods but Covid-19 has taken away our income and the woods need looking after.”

BCA member and father-of-three Mark Hornsey described the woods as ‘a giant adventure playground’ on his doorstep.

He told how sons Finn, 13, Wilf, 10, and seven-year-old Renn could let off steam in Grin Low Woods in a way that they couldn’t in the town’s formal parks.

The dad-of-three is one-third of the team behind Buxton-based theatre arts company Babbling Vagabonds.

He added: “The parks are wonderful but when you are in the woods there’s this sense of being in the wild.

“Trees have a sense of things living in them as living things themselves - which is why woods have always lent themselves to tales of fairies, ogres and other mythical beings.”

Mark is urging others to become BCA members – which costs £12.50 a year – to support the charity’s work.

He said: “People think it must be the local authority who run them but it is vital that they know that it is the BCA and support us.

“Becoming a member is not a lot of money but it all adds up.”

The BCA is asking people to donate £3 each by texting WOODS to 70450 to donate £3. Texts cost £3 plus one standard rate message.

Alternatively you could join the BCA for just £12.50 a year.

For more details click HERE.

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