Buxton Advertiser launches new campaign for female quarry worker statue- Editor's column

When I took on the role of Editor at the Buxton Advertiser in March, I wrote a column in the paper in which I mentioned how incredible the community spirit is in our town.
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And you have all proved this to be absolutely true in recent weeks.

It saddened me when we had to report that the Jack the lime worker statue in Grin Low Woods had been vandalised with anti-semitic grafitti carved into him. There is absolutely no place for such hateful behaviour in our community - and there is certainly no excuse.

The statue of Jack was installed in the woods by Buxton Civic Association (BCA) to commemorate all of those who have contributed to the town's quarrying industry over the years - and indeed continue to do so today.

The newly restored Jack the Lime worker sitting proudly in Grin Low Woods once againThe newly restored Jack the Lime worker sitting proudly in Grin Low Woods once again
The newly restored Jack the Lime worker sitting proudly in Grin Low Woods once again

So many of us, including myself, will have family members who have worked in the industry, so Jack had a personal connection to us all.

Seeing Jack so badly damaged spurred you into action – our wonderful town residents soon rallied round and raised more than double the amount needed to repair him. And now, as we reported last week, he's back to his very best.

Buxton Civic Association have always wanted to add a female statue next to Jack, representing all the women involved in the quarrying industry over the years - but they have not been able to find the money for this.

That's why today, we are launching a new campaign aiming to raise the £4,000 needed for this statue.

The Buxton Advertiser is so proud to be a part of this wonderful community, and to support Buxton Civic Association - which is a registered charity that does so much to look after some of the jewels in our town's crown.

So we are asking you to please, support this campaign if you can. Any donation no matter how big or small will make a difference.

You can find all the details on pages 8 and 9 of this week's paper.

Let's work together to create a lasting tribute to the wonderful women who have played their part in our area's rich quarrying heritage. Thank you.