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The Heart of a Peak District Community
Archives IV - November / December 2000
Week 16 : 27th November - 3rd December 2000: Spring Gardens' Stones The Stones, one of two groups that form a part of the modern pedestrianisation of Spring Gardens. This particular group can be seen opposite Holker Avenue, they represent the part that stone has played in the history of Buxton's buildings and the local quarries. Other Spring Gardens Pictures : Snow Scene |
Spring Gardens in the 80's Also in this picture are Kenning' motor showrooms, these are now part of the Iceland supermarket. Opposite and to the right, the shrubs soften the look of the old public toilets that once occupied this position. These formed a triangle at the entrance to Bridge Street before the new ring road was built. |
Week 17 : 4th - 10th December 2000Part of the splendour of the Pavilion Gardens is their appeal to young children.Here, our photograph shows the miniature railway that has long taken children and the young at heart, on a journey around one of the lakes and the many floral displays that have been a feature of these gardens since they were laid out in Victorian times.  Pavilion Gardens - September 2007 |
Pavilion Gardens' Train Gardens' Train - December 2000 [ Pavilion in Winter | Promenade ] |
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Peak Rail SiteRemaining on a railway theme, our second photograph shows a view of the old Peak Rail site when they first started out on their quest to bring steam back into Buxton. On a lighter note, the train and goods shed standing at platform one....have gone!! Pictured in the early 1980s, the scene shows that much work has taken place in order to clear this site and make it into a working steam railway. Peak Rail is still very much in operation, but at Matlock rather than in Buxton as was hoped. Perhaps, one day they will return under a full head of steam... |
11th - 17th Dec '00Ashwood Park, one of Buxton's attractions set out during the Victorian era, once had it's own bandstand.Although the concrete area that supported this stand still remains, it's all there is to remind us of those far off days when day trippers and Buxtonians, were entertained by local and visiting bands. The park still has two tennis courts, a bowling green and putting lawn to offer everyone some sport activities during the warmer months. |
Week 18 - Ashwood Park |
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At the far end of this park, there is a play area specially for children. There is seating throughout, and pathways offer peaceful walks beside the river Wye before it leaves Buxton and heads towards Bakewell and beyond. If you are fortunate and early, you may just catch sight of the heron that frequents the river here for the fish that it holds. |
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Bakewell ShowWe venture a little further afield for this photograph, for it was taken at one of the famous Bakewell shows. Horses take pride of place at this annual event, proving to be very popular amongst all the other attractions that this county show has to offer to its thousands of visitors. Held on the first Wednesday and Thursday of August, there is something to entertain and attract people from all walks of life. There are live broadcasts from local radio and television, displays of mouth-watering country produce such as cakes, pies, cheeses, honey, herbs, spices, sweets and ice-cream, cordials and many other locally made delicacies. |
See the magnificent shire horses and other animals including special breeds. There is an antiques fair and many other trade stands packed to tempt the visitor. For the motorist, there are the latest in road and off road cars to drool over. Although this show is in Bakewell and some eleven miles distant from Buxton, many of those who live in Buxton wouldn't miss this tremendous annual gathering for anything. |
18th - 24th Dec '00Looking out across the valley that takes the main railway line through to Manchester, our picture shows Corbar hill and woodlands with the housing on Ladycroft in the foreground. This scene was taken from the footpath at the rear of the Devonshire Arms public house on Fairfield common. |
Week 19 - Corbar Hill |
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Grove ParadeHere, we can see the view across to the Slopes from station approach. Taken in the early summer of 1999, and despite that it was a very warm day, there is a noticeable lack of people sitting on the seating near Turner's memorial. There are ice creams for sale to those who want to cool down, available from the van sat just in front of the memorial. Also in this scene, there is the cast iron veranda that offers shelter to shoppers walking along the Colonnade during wet weather. To the left, there is Grove Parade with what remains of its own veranda, and the Taxi rank... |
25th - 31th Dec '00Another of Buxton's notorious winters, is reflected in this scene looking towards the railway viaduct that spans Spring Gardens. However, although this photo was taken during the mid 1980s, Buxton no longer sees the heavy falls of snow that it was renown for, especially in those far off days. Typically, whilst Buxton stood under several feet of snow, one could travel to Chapel-en-le-Frith 5 miles away to the north, and be greeted by clear blue skies and a total absence of snow altogether. It was not an unusual sight to see workers from Buxton arriving here in their snow covered cars, thereby giving Chapel locals a clear idea of the weather conditions in Buxton at that moment. |
Week 20 - Snow Scene Other Spring Gardens Pictures : Busy Day |
View from Grinwood
This lovely autumnal view north looking towards Long Hill, the road from Buxton to Whaley Bridge, was taken from the lower slopes of Grin Woodlands. Corbar Hill is on the skyline to the right of this photo, whilst to the left, the twisting scarp that marks the face of Combs Edge can just be seen. The road itself is gently rising from right to left, and in front of the tree plantation (Coldspring) in the centre of this view. |