Buxton Museum & Art Gallery
We know a lot about the man who was buried in Liff’s Low but nothing about himself as a person.
As one of the artists in the “Collection of the Artists” project, I worked with children from Biggin School: the school in the village below the hill where Liff’s Low lies. Two pieces of writing came out of our session: this one: a sort of Neolithic lullaby (Liff’s Low Night Charm, separate entry) and this story of who it is that is buried in the Low
We know a lot about the man who was buried in Liff’s Low but nothing about himself as a person.
As one of the artists in the “Collection of the Artists” project, I worked with children from Biggin School: the school in the village below the hill where Liff’s Low lies. Two pieces of writing came out of your session: this one: a sort of Neolithic lullaby and the story of why he was buried in the Low (that is in a separate entry)
Colin Rodgers reminisces on the times he has visited the Buxton Opera House with his family in the audio below.
Designed by one of Britain’s finest theatre architects, Frank Matcham, this opera house dates back as far back as 1903.
Hosting live performances from it’s opening, until 1927, the theatre then was used mostly as a cinema until 1976, when it was briefly (although thought to have indefinitely) closed down. Three years later, in 1979, it was refurbished and reopened as a venue for live performance once again. Since then it has been a 902-seat opera house that hosts approximately 450 entertaining acts all year-round.
Matcham also designed some of the UK’s most famous attractions in the late 19th century to the early 20th century, such as the London opera house, the Victoria Palace, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the Richmond Theatre, and the London Palladium.
Click ‘Tell Me More…’ to view images of the opera house’s interior.
Like most brass bands, Fairfield Brass band runs on good will and donations to fund its upkeep. On a Christmas afternoon, band members often play music around several Fairfield locations in the hope of encouraging band donations and, perhaps, of making a little extra towards a Christmas pint or two. Press 
to hear how hard this was in years gone by.
You can read a transcript of the audio below:
[Read more…] about The Trials of Fairfield Brass Band Members on a Christmas Afternoon
This is Joe – find out how he came to stand on Platform 2 at Buxton Station.
[Read more…] about Joe the commemorative statue at Buxton Station
The story of the plague is centred around this parish church.
When the plague struck in August 1665 it was the rector William Mompesson, aided by his predecessor Thomas Stanley, who was the driving force behind Eyam’s extraordinary, self-imposed quarantine. 30% of the village’s population perished in the following 14 months.
Mompesson’s wife Catherine died on the 25th August 1666, almost exactly one year after the outbreak began. Her tomb (centre of image above), a memorial to Thomas Stanley and the headstone of Abel Rowland can all be found close to the south side of the church – as can an 8th century Celtic cross. Here you’ll also find an impressive sundial, dating from 1775.
Like a shadow, so passes life
As well as telling the time in Eyam, the sundial’s shadow indicates noon for various places around the world. The Latin engraving at the top of the dial translates as “Cultivate an enquiring mind”, and on the corbels upon which the sundial is attached, “Like a shadow, so passes life”.
Catherine’s tomb, designed by her husband, also contains a latin inscription which reads as “Beware ye know not the hour”.
As you tour the village you will find many buildings contain small green plaques providing details of plague victims.