Buxton Fringe Coming to a Location Near You Soon!

It's only nine weeks till the start of the 46th Buxton Fringe and I can't wait to see what's in store! 

Back in February the Committee was concerned that this year's Fringe would be a small one - much loved managed venue the Green Man Gallery had closed leaving a big gap. Plus there was still uncertainty about a definite location for popular Fringe regulars Underground Venues.

The final closing date for entries to the printed programme was the 20th April and with a bumper 185 entries or so it's shaping up to be a great Fringe.  The void left by the Green Man Gallery has been filled by a mix of new and old venues in the central town area, but more excitingly by venues across the wider Buxton area and its surroundings.  There are not one but two locations in Harpur Hill ( the Village Hall and Primary School), plus venues in Burbage (at the Institute), at Staden Lane (Trackside) and at Brierlow Bar (High Peak Bookstore).  

Then Underground Venues pulled it out of the bag with not one but two managed venues for this year! They will be returning to last year's intimate location in Spring Gardens and will also be in Fairfield at the Working Men's Club, where they have the spacious basement area.  This means that for the first time in several years Underground Venues will actually be Underground! 

And if that wasn't enough we have a few events taking place in Eyam and Chapel-en-le-Frith. Combine that with the Chelmorton Festival and we can honestly say that the Fringe is "coming to a venue near you soon".

Fringe Chair Ian Bowns says: "We are delighted that this year Buxton Fringe has been able to get back to a much wider geographical area. We hope this means that more people than ever will be able to enjoy the Fringe."

You can see our full list of entries here or pick up a copy of the programme hot off the press at our Programme Party on 7th June in The Pump Room from 7pm to 9pm.

Click here to see our venues map. 

Carole

Buxton Fringe

Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe

All Change at Buxton Fringe

Buxton Fringe display at the Pump Room in 2024

So far 2025 has got off to a chilly start which makes it all the harder to visualise summer festival fun. But undaunted by wind, rain and ice, the Fringe Committee met up this month to review our progress so far. 

To date we have received over 30 entries spread across all 10 of our categories - which is level pegging with last year's entries at the same point in time, and we are hoping for a flurry more in the next week as we approach the deadline for our 'early bird' entry fee deal at the end of February.

This news was greeted with a mix of pleasure and relief. The committee had been anxious about the loss of well-loved and long standing managed venue the Green Man Gallery, which closed in December 2024. 

Coupled with earlier uncertainty about a definite home for Underground Venues, the committee was anticipating a smaller Fringe for 2025. 

Entries co-ordinator Pam was cautiously optimistic that entrants were branching out and exploring more of the 100+ venues on our register whilst Venues officer Sandra reported that Tom and Alice from Underground remain committed to bringing Underground back to Buxton again in 2025. Since the meeting, Underground has indeed confirmed that it will be taking up residence in Spring Gardens again and is open for entries.

The loss of the Green Man Gallery has wider implications than its managed venue status - it's where we store all our equipment, banners, bunting, programmes, flyers and our archive. Plus the Green Man always hosted our Springboard and Programme parties. We miss it greatly.

Thankfully the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust has offered us the Pump Room's facilities for the parties, for which we are very grateful.  Meanwhile we are still seeking a permanent solution for our storage needs. So if you know of or are able to offer weatherproof storage for free/going cheap, we would love to hear from you - please contact Carole: secretary@buxtonfringe.org.uk 

There have also been a number of changes to the committee in 2025. Long-standing Chair Stephen Walker stepped down at November's AGM to "take a rest, and enjoy the Fringe as an ordinary person".  But Stephen is still a trustee and was back last night having been 'persuaded' to take on the roles of Reviews Coordinator and Archivist!

New Chair Ian Bowns - former Events Organiser, Entries Coordinator and sometimes Fringe performer, feared he was wearing too many hats (unlikely in Buxton in February!). Ian niftily passed Events to Rob Harrison (who later claimed he was scratching his nose, not putting his hand up) and Entries to Pam Mason former Distribution supremo. Luckily Catherine Serjeant was quick to pick up the Distribution baton. 

So after a very dizzying game of musical chairs, I think we are sorted for now. One positive outcome of all the swapping is that more people learn about all aspects of the Fringe, which helps to safeguard its future.

Key to this aim is attracting new volunteers and the committee was delighted to welcome two new people to our January meeting; they both came back in February too! 

If you are interested in joining us, you are welcome to come to our next meeting on Wed 12th March, 7.30pm, The Pump Room, The Crescent, Buxton where our friendly team will be happy to chat about all things Fringe. Or you can contact our Secretary, Carole, for more information at secretary@buxtonfringe.org.uk.  

To find out about becoming a Fringe Friend click here.  

Or see Contact Us here

Buxton Fringe

Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe