Blackbrook Valley Arts (BVA) was originally formed by local music enthusiasts wanting to bring live music to Chinley. Working with Live and Local, a not-for-profit arts organisation operating across the Midlands, we were able to bring regular music events to our village.
Before Covid shut everything down in 2020 we staged gigs featuring nationally and internationally renowned musicians such as Locust Honey from Nashville USA, a troupe of Zulu dancers, Ashley Hutchings and Simon Nicol from Fairport Convention, Blair Dunlop, Sean Lakeman and Katherine Roberts and many more.
With the opening of the new Chinley Community Centre in April 2025 BVA was reborn! Our first promotion took place in October that year and featured local singer/songwriter Charlie Moritz and friends. The annual village Ceilidh, a hugely popular event prior to lockdown, was revived early in 2026 and is back as an annual fixture.
We operate under the auspices of the Chinley Buxworth and Brownside Community Association and stage our events in the Community Centre and the Women’s Institute Hall. Any surpluses from our events go to support the Community Association and its work across the surrounding area.