A Welcome to Buxton in 1980
Some years ago, my next-door neighbour presented me with this framed poem which she had found in a local charity shop. It is written by someone called A.W. Rayns and dated 1980.
I find it fascinating as a reminder of where we were 40 years ago. The thermal baths are mentioned as closed, however this now houses the splendid Cavendish Arcade, an independent shopping mall with a barrel-vaulted stained glass ceiling (pictured below left).
The mention of the Assembly Rooms in the Crescent is particularly poignant. The writer suggests that seeing their splendours should be one of your hopes. It is one of my hopes too as we still have not been given the dates of the public access to these rooms since its renovation and renaissance as a luxury spa hotel. My understanding is that the public should have access for 60 days a year and once again we will see the splendour of the Assembly Room ceiling (pictured below right).
Our public swimming pool was filled with “spa mineral water”, something which I believe is no longer the case however, despite my best endeavours, I have been unable to find out when this changed. If anybody out there knows, we would be very grateful to hear.
Finally the “good shops” of Spring Gardens are mentioned and, although we still have the marvellous Hargreaves and others, many have been demolished.
Oh and by the way, Corbar Cross, also mentioned, was missing from the Buxton skyline for most of 2010 when it was cut down as a protest during the Pope’s UK visit.
Although the author of this poem would still see much that is familiar, even 40 years of history sees surprising changes.
NC