A very Merry Xmas to all our
members friends and readers all over the world.

Islands and
Highlands

by  J.S. Pembry

Leaving

Manchester
on Sunday Oct. 7th Glencoe village
was reached after roaring through the Glen in a gale at speeds above the ton –
the wildest drive I can remember.  It
always rains at Ballachulish and Monday was no exception!  Stores were taken on at

Fort
William

and a visit made to the Handicrafts Exhibition (Harris Socks 4/6 a pair!).  Near Glen Nevis we became airborne at speed,
my head hitting the roof.  Through the
great Glen and glorious sunshine to Invergarry and left turn towards Kyle of
Loch – fifty-three miles of single track mountain road, lochs and the wild
glory of autumn colour.  On those roads a
corner usually coincides with a hump, the nose of your car rises and you look
up at the sky until she drops – and you see another hump a few feet away…
Beware!!  Sixteen shillings return over
the sea to Skye and forty miles on the island to the Cuillin, but never was
money better spent.  Go to Mrs.
Sutherland’s at Glenbrittle and all will be well for 3/6 per night and all
round but the food, which you MUST take with you – No shops, no pub and the
grocer calls once a week.

The first evening saw my dream of a
sunset in the Isles come true – such beauty I never before could imagine
existed in the
British Isles.  The next day there were blue, blue mountains,
blue sea, blue sky and blue islands, and the spirit was uplifted to ecstatic
heights as was also the body – to the summit of Sgurr Doarg, and the view of
the main ridge and such mountains as Skye alone can offer.

Day two was a little showery yet
the top of Alistair was dead calm while a great gale thundered up the stone chute
thick with hail and impossible without a suit of armour.  In a few minutes all was white with snow and
thunder rolled.  We descended to the
immense slabs below Coir ‘A’ Ghrunnda where the water of the stream was
returned as spray to the mountain by the great force of wind.  Thursday was wet.

Friday was sunny and saw the
longest trip of the vac.  We had quite an
adventurous climax creeping along unknown narrow ledges in a snow storm to
by-pass Bidein Druim Nan Ramh and so crossing the main ridge and climbing down
the steep gullies to Glenbrittle.

Saturday saw the return to the
mainland, the car garaged in an hotel and the boat for Stornoway taken on a
glassy sea.  Two choirs entertained us
with Gaelic songs and an accordion played for dancing on board.  The singing over the water is something I
shall never forget.

Sunday was spent in Stornoway – no
buses, shops, snack bars or cinemas – only the Kirk.  The singing was really inspiring and only a
few seats were left in the church.  Never
is such a thing seen South of the Border.

Monday came, and we took THE bus to
Harris.  The bus is also Postman, grocer,
milkman, newsagent and general carrier. From the top of Clisham was a sight I have waited for years to see – a
sea of clouds with the peaks above in the sun. This was indeed worth the crossing of the
Minch.  We left Stornoway by boat at 12.30 and after
an evening visit to a big spinning mill, and by Tuesday evening I was alone in
camp at Torrindon listening to the dismal roar of the stags in the throes of their
armours.

Wednesday was cloudy but the
highest mountain in Ross was climbed and the entire ridge of the Liathach
traversed, again to the music of the deer. Thursday and away to Inverness passing through the sunlit wonders of the
Highlands. After an excellent night at a Guest House at Dingwall, Friday found us
on the summit of Cairngorm with one of the finest views in

Scotland
– but
there was not an Eagle in sight although we did see Ptarmigan, which are quite
rare.

Saturday was a day of rest at
Inverness and on Sunday – the last and (dammit!) the finest day of the
fortnight, the 410 miles to Manchester was covered in eight hours, the
Blackpool traffic holding us up or the trip would have been faster still.  So ended a truly glorious vac. in some of the
finest scenery in
Europe.  Haste ye back again to

Scotland
.                                                                   J.S. Pembry

A Christmas Party

The Axbridge Caving Group &
Archaeological Society are holding another Christmas Party at the Red Lion
Hotel, Axbridge on the 22nd December at 7.30pm (Saturday).  There will be the usual games of darts,
skittles & snooker etc.  Charge is
1/- per head to cover the cost of the room. B.E.C. members are cordially invited.

Additions to Club Library

British
Caver

Speleog

Speleog


Wessex
Cave
Club

The
News of N.S.S.

The
News of N.S.S.

The
News of N.S.S.

The
News of N.S.S.

The
News of N.S.S.

The
News of N.S.S

Cave
& Crag Club Newsletter


South
Wales
Cave
Club – Newsletter


South
Wales
Cave
Club – Newsletter

Devon Spelaeological Society Newsletter

Devon Spelaeological Society Newsletter

Devon Spelaeological Society Newsletter

Devon Spelaeological Society Newsletter

Devon Spelaeological Society Newsletter

Cave
Science

The
Speleologist

Walks
and Climbs in

Malta

Camertonia
the Journal of the Camerton Excavation Club

C.R.G.
Newsletter

Biological
Supplement C.R.G.

B.C.C.C.
Newsletter

 

Your
Librarian is: –

 

Vol.
27 1956

Vol.
3  No. 1 and 2 1955

Vol.
3  No. 3 and 4 1955

No.
56  May 1956

Vol.
12  No.
12  Dec. 1954

Vol.
14  No.
4  April 1956

Vol.
14  No. 5  May 1956

Vol.
14  No.
6  June 1956

Vol.
14  No.
7  July 1956

Vol.
14  No.
8  Aug. 1956

Vol.
5  No.
2  March 1956

No.
15  May 1956

No.
16  July 1956

No.
44  April 1955

No.
45  July 1955

No.
46  Sept. 1955

No.
47  Feb. 1956

No.
48  Mar. 1956

No.
26  1956

1956

 

 

 

July-Aug.
1956  No. 58 & 59

 

Vol.
5  No.
3  June 1956

 

John
Ifold, Leigh House, Nempnett, Chew Stoke,

Somerset.

An Underwater Torch

The G.E.C. have now produced a
watertight torch suitable for underwater use. In the past, various firms have produced torches labelled ‘Watertight’
but from practical experiences, have found the majority of these although
suitable for use in rain are useless for Diving.

This G.E.C. Underwater Torch is
however, specifically designed for Underwater use and is treated to resist the
action of salt water and is guaranteed completely watertight in either Salt or
Fresh water to a depth of 100ft.

The catalogue No. is BA6061 and the
retail price is £2.1.9d plus 8.0d Purchase Tax. If you have any difficulty obtaining same locally send your order to me
enclosing the necessary cash.

T.H.
Stanbury.

List of Members 1956/7

If your name has been wrongly
omitted from this list please accept my apologies and let me know.  This also applies to any incorrect of
incomplete addresses.

R.J.
Bagshaw Hon. Sec.

306

Andrew T.O.

135,

Danson Road,
Bexley,
Kent
.

236

Attwood J.

4,

Bridge Road
,
Shortwood, Nr, Mangostfield,

Bristol
.

20

Bagshaw R.J.

56,

Ponsford Road
,
Knwole,

Bristol
.
4.

358

Balcombe D.J.

26,
Bennett
Gardens, Norbury,

London
, S.W.16.

295

Hall A.H.

29,

Pearle Street
,
Macclesfield,

Cheshire
.

368


Barrington
N.

7,

Pickhurst Lane
,
Hayes,

Bromley,
Kent
.

290

Bater R.

2, Upper Perry Hill, Southville,

Bristol
.
3.

214

Bennett R.H.

37,

Queens Road
,
Ashley Down,

Bristol
.
7.

370

Beynon W.L.

Lower Lodge,
Weston
Park House,
Weston
Park,

Bath
.

364

Blogg. P.M.

66,

Wessex Avenue
,
Horfield,

Bristol
.
7.

336

Borner A.

42,

Air Balloon Road
,
St. George,

Bristol
.
5.

145

Bowden-Lyle S. Miss

120,

Wilbury Road
,
Letchworth.

36

Brain R.G.

10,

Weston Avenue
,

Cossham Road
,
St. George,

Bristol
.
5.

320

Brooks N.

392,

Victoria Road
,
Ruislip, Middlesex.

349

Brown R.

5,

Ormerod Road
,
Stoke Bishop,

Bristol
.
9.

190

Burt P.E.

3, Manor House, Rothamsted, Harpendon, Herts.

209

Burt Mrs.

3, Manor House, Rothamsted, Harpendon, Herts.

361

Busson B. Miss

37, Southcote Rise, Ruislip, Middlesex.

201

Buxton J.

c/o T. Barber Esq., Coppinton Farm, Wellesbourne, Nr. Warwick.

328

Buxton Mrs.

c/o T. Barber Esq., Coppinton Farm, Wellesbourne, Nr. Warwick.

357

Carter R.

19,

Churchill Road
,
Wells, Somerset.

354

Cassell L.C.

50,

Elmdale Road
,
Bedminster,

Bristol
.
3.

366

Chamberlain B.R.

102,

Egerton Road
Bishopston,

Bristol
.
7.

54

Coase D.A.

Batsford,
Lower Failand, Nr. Bristol.

89

Collins S.J.

1,

Kensington Place,
Clifton
,

Bristol
.

344

Copeley-Jones B.

The White House, Dolberrow, Churchill,

Somerset
.

71

Crawford A.J.

3,
Hillside, Harefield, Nr, Uxbridge,
Middlesex.

369

Dale M.B.

57,

Kingsway Avenue
,
Kingswood,

Bristol
.
5.

352

Davies T.

154,

Boston Manor Road
,
Brentford, Middlesex.

226

Dear I.A.

Sowter Lodge, North Quay,
Weymouth,
Dorset.

164

Dobbs F.C.

97, Heath Barton, Whipton,

Exeter
.

325

Dunn A.M.

70, The Crescent, Henleaze,

Bristol
.

331

Etough J.A.

116,

Newbridge Road
,
St. Annes Park,

Bristol
.
4.

322

Ellis B.

24,

Ludwick Way
,

Welwyn
Garden
City, Herts.

263

England D.

15, Springleaze, Knowle,

Bristol
.
4.

355

Fairman D. Miss

Cranmore View, Priddy, Nr. Wells.

232

Falshaw C.P.

50,

Rockside Drive
,
Henleaze,

Bristol
.

338

Fielder R.J.

189,

Divinity Road,
Oxford
.

371

Fincham A.

1,
Leeds
University Union,
Leeds. 2.

269

Fletcher T.E.

The Old Mill House, Barnack, Nr. Stamford, Lincs.

278

Fowler G.A.

77,

Kingshill Road
,
Knowle,

Bristol
.
4.

251


Gardner
K.S.

22, Wesley Hill, Kingswood,

Bristol
.

268

Gee S.

40,

Church Road
,
Heaton Noris, Stockport,

Cheshire
.

350

George A. Miss

“Beeches”, Priddy, Nr. Wells, Somerset.

90

Gommo D.J.

46,

Beckington Road
,
Knowle,

Bristol
.
4.

346


Griffiths
G.H.

164,

St. Johns Lane
,
Bedminster,

Bristol
.
3.

318


Groves
N.K.

6,

Woodchester Road
,
Henleaze,

Bristol
.

239

Gwinnel D.

78, Days Road,

Bristol
.
5.

104

Hannam M.

14B, Vyvyan Terrace,
Clifton,

Bristol
. 8.

304

Harris C.W.

14, Market Place, Wells, Somerset.

4

Hasell D.H.

Hill House, Moorlynch, Nr. Bridgwater,

Somerset
.

333

Houghton E.

35, Mackie Avenie, Filton,

Bristol
.

319

Hunt D.G.

19, Spring Street, Cadoxton, Barry, Glamorgan.

335

Hurcombe S. Miss

M.S. Heron, R.N.A.S. Yeovilton, Yeovil,

Somerset
.

97

Ifold J.W.

Leigh House, Nempnett, Chew Stoke,

Somerset
.

150

Ifold P.

Sunnyside,

Rectory Lane,
Compton
Martin.

363

Isles M.W.

33, Greenleaze,
Knowle
Park,

Bristol
.
4.

340

Jenkins R.L.

5,

North Street
,
Downend,

Bristol
.

225

Jones M.

12,

Melton Crescent
,
Horfield,

Bristol
.
7.

285


Jones
U.

3,

Durham Street
,

Elswich Road,
Newcastle
-on-
Tyne.

289

Kemp D.

17,

Becmead Avenue
,
Streatham,

London
,
S.W.16.

316

King R.

1,

Lynmouth Road,
Bristol
. 2.

332

Lacy D.J.

31, Devon Grove,

Whitehall
,
Bristol.5.

260

Lamb J.

365,

Filton Avenue,
Bristol
. 7.

275

Marriott

C.A.

718,

Muller Road
,
Eastville,

Bristol
.
5.

106

Mason E.J.

11,

Kendon Drive,
Wellington
Hill West,
Westbury-on-Trym,

Bristol
.

334

Mitchell D.

2,

Selwood Road
,
From,

Somerset
.

339

Mossman T.G.

c/o

Y.M.C.A. Colston
Street
,
Bristol
.

308


Murray
K.H.

17,
Harrington
Gardens, South Kensington,

London
, S.W.7.

121

Newman R.

63,

Sandling Avenue
,
Horfield,

Bristol
.
7.

347

Nichols C.

“Gen Fou”, Welwyn Heath, Welwyn, Herts.

362

Nicholson F.

60,

Christchurch Street,
East
Frome, Somerset.

287

Osborn T.J. Miss

389,

Filton Avenue
,
Horfield,

Bristol
.
7.

327

Pegram J.

4,

Moffats Lane
,

Brookmans
Park
, Hatfield, Herts.

22

Peters L.

21,

Melbury Road
,
Knowle,

Bristol
.
4.

160

Petty N.J.

12,

Bankside Road
,
Brislington,

Bristol
.
4.

146

Pink T.

53,

Burnthwaite Road
,
Fulham,

London
,
S.W.6.

56

Platten G.

Rotherfield,

Fernhill Lane
,
New Milton, Hants.

118

Preston A.R.

43,

West Town Lane
,
Brsilington,

Bristol
.
4.

337

Prewer B.E.

14,

Egerton Road,
Bath
, Somerset.

342

Price R.J.

Somermead, Bedminster, Bristol.3.

291

Radmoer D.

22, St. Michaels Park,

Bristol
.
2.

138

Ratcliffe T.

31,

Berkeley Square,
Bristol
. 8.

258

Rees C.

2,

Burghill Road
,
Westbury-on-Trym,

Bristol
.

241

Rice A.L.C.

20,

Filton Avenue
,
Horfield,

Bristol
.
7.

343

Rich A.

8,

Trelawney Road
,
Brislington,

Bristol
.
4.

157

Rollason J. Miss

157,

Pen Park Road
,
Southmead,

Bristol
.

367

Rowley J.

52, Granby Hill,
Clifton,

Bristol
. 8.

240

Sandall A.J.E.

35,

Beauchamp Road,
Bristol
. 7.

237

Scott B.

22,

Bishop Road
,
Bishopston,

Bristol
.
7.

213

Setterington R.

86,

Grand Drive
,
Raynes
Park,

London
, S.W.
20.

78

Setterington R.A.

89,

Kingston Road,
Taunton
, Somerset.

356

Setterington Mrs

89,

Kingston Road,
Taunton
, Somerset.

307

Skinner J.

12,
Hurst Walk,
Filwood
Park,

Bristol
. 4.

324

Smith R.M.

24,

Marlborough Street
,
St. James,

Bristol
.
2.

360

Sneddon B.

9, Newfields,

Welwyn
Garden
City, Herts.

276

Stafford J.M.

91,

Hawthorne Street
,
Knowle,

Bristol
.
4.

38

Stanbury I.M. Mrs.

74,

Redcatch Road
,
Knowle,

Bristol
.
4.

1

Stanbury T.H.

48,

Novers Park Road
,
Knowle.

Bristol
.
4.

365

Stenner R.

38,

Paultow Road,
Victoria
Park,

Bristol
. 3.

60

Stewart P.A.E.

131, St. Peters Rise, Bishopsworth,

Bristol
. 3.

284

Thomas A.R.

Kingdown
Manor
School,
Kingsdown,

Somerset
.

348

Thomas D.M.

1,

Ashburton Road
,
Shirehampton,

Bristol
.

326

Towler E.

11,

St. Philips Road,
London
, E.8.

353

Tregoning A.

38,

Station Road
,
Shirehampton,

Bristol
.

359

Venn C.F. Miss

108,

Bishop Road
,
Bishopston,

Bristol
.
7.

175

Waddon J.

7,

Haydon Road,
Taunton
, Somerset.

79

Wallis R.M.

“Swildons”, 343,

Upton
Lane
,
Widnes,
Lancs.

228

Willis D.A.

25,

Chamberlain Street
,
Wells

Somerset
.

351

Willis Mrs.

25,

Chamberlain Street
,
Wells

Somerset
.

341

Woodford R.A.

80,

Torrington Road
,
Ruislip, Middlesex.

 

© 2026 Bristol Exploration Club Ltd

registered in England and Wales as a co-operative society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, registered no. 4934.