A Bigger – B.B.?

Plans have now been worked out that will enable us to take
advantage of the offer made at the A.G.M. of some additional help with the
duplicating of the B.B. and, we hope, satisfy the members who would like to see
a larger version of the B.B.

Starting next year, in addition to the large Christmas
number, we will be printing an equally large summer number and, if we get
enough contributions, a large spring and autumn number as well.  This arrangement will cater for the members
who would like to see the B.B. come out every month as at present and also for
those who would like a bigger magazine, at less frequent internals.

There is, however, one snag. We stated, when we took the B.B. over that we would not let it lapse
below the minimum size and would not make frequent appeals in the B.B. for
articles.  This rule we shall have to
break on this occasion and point out that we can only have this larger amount
of B.B. providing that we get the articles for printing in it.  As an example, apart from a few smaller
articles, WE HAVE NO MATERIAL AT ALL FOR THE CHRISTMAS B.B. AT THE MOMENT.  Arrangements for the cover have got to be
made during the next fortnight and printing should start shortly after that.  There seems little point in talking about a
regular quarterly bumper number of the B.B. under these circumstances!

We have recently done some mathematics on the amount of
information printed per annum by the B.B. and a comparative journal which, at
first sight, appears to be a lot bigger. We find in fact, that there is practically nothing to choose between
them, which means that as far as quantity goes, if the club wants this new
arrangement, its members have got to write on an average, more articles than
the members of any other local caving club. The sort of thing which could, with advantage, be done on these lines
are long write ups of major trips which; although not carried out by the club
itself, had some members of the club amongst the party, permission to write
such an article as can usually be obtained from the club in question, even if
it means delaying the appearance of the article until after the club concerned
has published it in their own journal. The B.B.’s main function is to keep those members who are not usually
around in touch with all that is going on Mendip, and so articles of this type
would be very useful.

Having given this subject a good airing, we hope that it can
be retired for another few years at least, while the B.B. grows fatter and more
interesting!

“Alfie”

Notices

There will be a meeting of Cuthbert’s Leaders at the Belfry
on November 25th at 2.30 pm.  The Caving
Secretary requests that all Cuthbert’s Leaders will attend and that any ideas
on St. Cuthbert’s for discussion be given or sent to the Caving Secretary or
the B.B. editor.

There will be a slide show on the 9th of December given by
the M.C.G. at the Stirrup Cup Garage at 7.30 pm at which will be shown slides
of Pine Tree Pot, Ubley Pot etc.  All are
cordially invited.

Old picture frames are urgently wanted for mounting photographs
for hanging up at the Belfry and the Hunters. They should be of a size to accommodate a 10×8 or a 16×12 print.  Also wanted are photos, loan of negs etc. of
historical club interest.  Contact any
committee member or the new Hon. Librarian, Sybil Bowden-Lyle.

The Caving Secretary wishes to remind members of the new set
of arrangements affecting G.B. cave. Requests for a trip should be sent to him at least three weeks before
the trip is required.  There is,
unfortunately, no guarantee that the trip can always be arranged, but an early
request helps!  YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

On the 18th November, either at the Hunters of afterwards at
the Belfry, there will be a slide show on

South Africa – its wild life
animals; plants and natives.  This will
be given by Sybil.

The C.R.G. Annual General Meeting will be held at the
Geography Lecture Theatre,

University of
Bristol under the
chairmanship of Dr. E.K. Tratman on Saturday, 11th November at 5.30 pm.  Also in the Geography Theatre, there will be
a talk on Caves in

Jamaica,
by Dr. Read, president of the Jamaica Caving Club on November 27th at 8.15 pm.

Library

Our new Hon. Librarian, Sybil, is in the middle of
preparation of a really comprehensive library list.  This list not only names the books,
periodicals etc. in the library, but gives a short description of the contents
of each and, in the case of periodicals a list of the main articles.  A full copy of this list will come out as a
supplement to the B.B. in the near future, but in the meantime, here is an
extract of some of the caving books to be found in the library.

Have YOU still got a library book out?  Are you SURE? Why not have a look just in case?

Social Column

At 4 pm, on Saturday October 28th at St. James’s Church New
Cross, Spike and Pam were wedded,  and
three members of the B.E.C. were there (they get around).

The reception was held at Pam’s house and, thanks to Pam
having a far sighted Mum and Dad there was booze and food aplenty.  Spike was seen sitting in a corner holding
his corporation and having histories over “a slow revving bishop”.  Frank Darbon, Johnnie Lamb and Nigel were
also sitting in a corner – beer in one hand, food in another and cameras in the
other.  Every so often one of them moved,
but only to get more beer.

Spike had some slight trouble over the car keys and an
intended 7.30 pm start became a 9.00 pm false start, and it is rumoured that
the car heater was throwing out more than hot air.

After the Bride and Groom had departed to Tonbridge (and
High Rocks?) the party continued. Several charming relations (16-20 age group) showed themselves adept at
masochistic dancing activities.  At one
time, with much protesting, even Frank was seen to be cavorting.

At about 2.00 am three local blokes departed into the
wilderness from whence they had come with the score:-

Watneys (0) Trumans (0) Machesons
(0) J. Walkers (l/l6) B.E.C. (1/8).

The best of luck to Pam and Spike, especially when they
decide who IS the boss.

Dypso.

Personal

Congratulations to Merv Hannam and his wife on the birth of
a daughter, Edwina Denise on October 2nd. Weight 8 lbs 6 oz. Congratulations also to Jack Waddon and his wife on (if I have got it
right) the birth of their second son.

Archaeological Notes

Keith Gardner reports that, during 1959, 1960 and 1961,
members of the M.N.R.C. have excavated an interesting and rewarding rock
shelter at Tom Tivey’s Hole (N.G.R. ST 705445) in Asham Wood, near
Leighton.  They have proved continual
casual occupation from the Neolithic period to modern times.

In the Neolithic level, the team revealed shards comprising
the almost complete profile of a western Neolithic (Windmill Hill) round-based
bowl; plain on the body with decoration confined to widely spaced radial
notches on the rim.  The bowl is an
almost exact duplicate in size, fabric and form and decoration to one specimen
along the primary pottery at the Neolithic camp on windmill Hill, Avebury,
Wiltshire.  The potsherds have been
identified by Dr. Isobel Smith.

A fragment of bone pin or awl was also found which is too
small to permit of much comment, but the slight longitudinal hollow on one side
suggests that it belongs to a type found from primary contexts at Windmill
Hill.  These were made by splitting the
metapodials of sheep or goats and rubbing one end down to a sharp point.

The M.N.R.C. say that this season should be their last and
when they have finished the Neolithic level, a full report will be published
next year.    These finds, they add,
indicate a link in the possible trade route from eastern Mendip to the Wessex
Chalk.

Caving Log

2nd September. Swildons.  Party Jim Hill,
Brenda, Alan & Carol.  Photographic
trip.

3rd September. Rod’s Pot.  Mike Calvert, R.
Stenner, Rosemary plus 3 Lockleaze schoolgirls and 2 ditto schoolboys.  Leader Tony Rich.  Did the 50’ pot. Lamp Pox struck the two nife
cells.  Big, clumsy and unreliable means
of lighting.  Called it a day.

3rd September. Swildons. Richard Roberts.  G.
Owen, B. Llyn, R. Boakes, G. Wolff.  Trip
to sump II.  No water going down the
forty.

3rd September. St. Cuthbert’s.  Jim Hill,
Brenda plus one bod from Wells Cathedral School Caving Club.  Tourist trip.

16th September. St. Cuthbert’s.  M. Thompson and P.M. Giles Esq.  First through trip (old to new entrances).

16th September. Swildons.  Tourist trip to
Sump I. R. Stenner + schoolboys and girls.

24th September. St. Cuthbert’s.  M. Palmer,
P.M. Giles Esq, D. HASELL, R.A. Setterington and K. Hallet.  Lethargic trip to September Series and first
Cuthbert’s trip for Dan Hasell.

30th September. St. Cuthbert’s.  Tourist trip
for three members of Chelsea Caving Club. Down to Dining Room and

Lake
Chamber, out through Rat
Run and Everest Passage.  Leader Jim
Hill.

30th September. St. Cuthbert’s.  Tourist trip
for six members of Chelsea Caving Club. High Chamber
to Gour Hall and out through Rat Run. Leader Alan Sandall.

24th September. St. Cuthbert’s.  Mike Baker +
4

Nottingham
Cave Club.  Tourist trip to duck (now a choke).  Mo’s dig now takes all the stream.  Chain on Stal Pitch needs attention – be
careful to keep the chain as near the rock as possible.

24th September. St. Cuthbert’s.  V. & C. Falshaw, J. Latough and N.
Petty.  Digging in passage at downstream
end of Bypass Passage removed vast lumps of mud and heaps of gravel.

8th October. St. Cuthbert’s.  M. Baker, J.
Eatough,  R. Teagle, M. Calvert, G.
Wolfe, J. Cornwell.  Photographic trip to
Cascade and Curtain chambers.

8th October. St. Cuthbert’s.  Rocky Boulders
Series.   R. Bennett, R.S. King, J.
Attwood, P.M. Giles Esq, G. Honey and L. Pritchard.  While Bennett made notes, presumably for the
next Cuthbert’s Report, the remainder probed about amongst the many boulders at
considerable personal risk, under the directions of Messrs Bennett and
King.  During this exercise in stamina
and bravery a sixty foot passage – Surprise Passage – was entered.

Surprise passage is like a small
edition of Appendix Passage in the Maypole Series – a vadose trench with a
bedding plane roof.  It climbs at about
60°

Jim Giles.

*****************************************

The Belfry Bulletin. Secretary. R.J. Bagshaw, 699,

Wells Rd, Knowle ,

Bristol 4.
Editor, S.J. Collins, 33,
Richmond Terrace,
Clifton,

Bristol
8.
Postal Dept.
C.A. Marriott,
718,

Muller Rd,
Eastville,

Bristol.