QUODCUMQUE FACIENDUM : NIMIS FACIEMUS
The
Exploration Club, The Belfry,
Road
The views expressed by contributors to the Belfry Bulletin,
including those of club officers, are not necessarily the views of the
committee of the Bristol Exploration Club or the Editor, unless so stated. The Editor cannot guarantee that the accuracy
of information contained in the contributed matter, as it cannot normally be
checked in the time at his disposal.
EDITOR: D.J. Irwin, Townsend Cottage, Priddy, Nr. Wells,
don’t forget the MID-SUMMER BUFFET at the Hunters (in the
side room) on 23rd June, Saturday at 7.30p.m. (extension applied for) buffet food (cost £2.50) is limited to 70.
Members and their Guests only. Tickets from Martin Bishop, The Batch,
Priddy, Somerset. Telephone: Priddy 370
..so don’t forget set your tickets now. Members not wanting food can come along and
partake in the boozing. This event is
the only other wholly club event other than the dinner to be held in Cheddar on
October 6th 1979 make a note of this date.
*****************************************
The EGM Minutes have been included with the issue of the BB
so don’t forget to bring them along with you for discussion for the EGM for
acceptance by the meeting.
The AGM Minutes will appear in the July issue of the B.B.
Next issue of the B.B. will include details of two NEW caves
one in
Thanks from our Hon. Treasurer – Sue Tucker. The subs have come in so well this year, that
only 15 members on last years list have not yet paid. Club membership stands at 220 and is rising. The figure at the AGM could be as high as 250
the highest ever!
Contents
Lifeline
Tim Larges regular
feature
This year marches on all too quickly. Dont forget the 23rd June for our Midsummer
buffet at the Hunters. Book your tickets
with Martin Bishop (Tele Priddy 370) price £2.50ea.
Jonah was on one of his now regular trips to Mendip; still
as active as ever, recounting a winter motorbike excursion to the
found it a bit cold! Garth tells me that
he recently visited Sybil and found her well and the same as ever! When are we going to see you on Mendip?
Dave Glover was down recently and has rejoined the
club. The LAMB LEER key is now available
at the Belfry and can be obtained by contacting a committee member as it is
kept at the Belfry.
The CSCC AGM was held on 19th May at the Hunters. The new Hon. Sec. is Dave Mockford of South
Bristol S.S. Butch is Chairman and
Roger Gosling remains as Treasurer. Some
concern was expressed at the meeting over the new access arrangements for
Shatter cave. The Cerberus S.S. have
cancelled the guest leadership system. All trips have now to be arranged via Cerberus via Ken Gregory, 30
Kennedy Ave., Sawley, Long Eaton, Notts (Tele Long Eaton 60742 (home); Long
Eaton 68511 (work))
On 20th May a meeting was held between the Club Committee
and the Cuthberts leaders to discuss the question of insurance. Bob White was present and advised on various
insurance aspects. Many thanks Bob for
coming along, it was much appreciated. Various alternatives were suggested from having no insurance at all to
insuring every member of the club. The
leaders passed a recommendation for the Club Committee to submit to the next
AGM. It reads, That the Club again
considers the possibility of obtaining comprehensive insurance to cover all
club members and Cuthberts leaders. So, perhaps you could all put a little thought to that ready for the
AGM. Other facts and information has
already been published in previous BBs on the matter.
The leaders also passed a resolution that the club seeks
reciprocal rights of access, similar to Cuthberts Guest Leader system with
other clubs who control access to Mendip caves. Its obvious who thats aimed at!
It is hoped to complete the tackle store-cum-workshop in the
old Belfry, a new door is ready for installation. With a little help to complete this and the
final waterproofing of the roof should make it operational before the AGM.
We still have a few caving boots in stock sizes 5-8. Price £8.75ea. Contact me at 53 Portway, Wells, Somerset.
Thats all folks!
Club Notes
compiled by Wig
CLUB TIES – new stocks available
New stocks of club ties, in the modern wide fashion, are
available from Nigel Taylor (c/o The Belfry,
the colours are the well known gold bat on a maroon background or silver bat on
a navy blue background. There are
limited stocks and they are selling well here on Mendip. To make sure YOU get your order send off NOW
with the P.O. or cheque made out to the B.E.C.
The price is very reasonable at £3.50 each or £6.00 a pair
(one of each colour). The ties will be
available at the Mid Sumner Buffet. Please add 25p for p & p. So
dont forget send off now.
CLUB SWEAT SHIRTS – a note from the committee.
Several members have placed orders for the BEC sweat shirt
and are probably wondering what has happened to them. There have been difficulties with the
printers and the sample that they claim to have sent has not arrived either at
the Belfry or at John Dukes address. Tim Large has been in contact with the printers and is trying to sort
things out. Our apologies to all
concerned for the apparent cock-up.
REPRINTING OF ARTICLES FROM THE B.B.
There have been a number of articles and notes reprinted in
the British Caver without any reference their source. The latest issue has included the Wigmore
article by Tony Jarrett together with ‘Wig’s’ survey. It is published as though the article and
survey was written solely for Tony Oldham – they were not. Any publisher is welcome to reprint any
article or note published in, the B.B. providing that an acknowledgement to the
B.B. is given, unless stated otherwise.
TYNING’S BARROWS SWALLET – new access arrangements
An access agreement has now been arranged with the new owner
of Tynings Farm and it is as follows:
A stile will be built across the hedge and as near the cave
as possible with a fenced path leading from the stile to the cave (and around
it). The material for this work has
kindly been donated by the farmer. Keys
will be distributed to 4 or 5 of the major clubs on Mendip. There will be no need to call at the farm and
no changing facilities will be available.
WARNING
It was noted on a recent trip into the cave that parts of
the streamway just beyond the Aardvark Trap are in a very loose condition with
various large blocks seemingly held up with nothing but faith.
(Martin
Bishop)
RECENT VISITORS TO MENDIP
During the May Day weekend Jon and Val Ransome were on
Mendip and after a visit to the Hunters and hours gas of the days of the old
wooden shed over coffee (what else!) at the Wigs. Dave Glover also made a welcome re-appearance
and has since rejoined the club.
A NOTE FROM THE HUT ENGINEER
The Club Secretary, Tim Large and hut Engineer, Nigel Taylor
are taking their holidays from July 18th to August 16th this year and staying
at the Belfry to enable outstanding work to be done on the Belfry. They would welcome any member that comes
along and gives a hand.
(Nigel Taylor)
P.S. Martin Grass said he would travel 140 miles to the
Belfry if there was someone there to work with – anyone else willing to come
along to give a hand?
BCRA NATIONAL CAVING CONFERENCE
This annual conference of BCRA is to be held as usual in
1979. Accommodation is available at
£4.00 per night. Entry tickets £1.50 for
members and £2.00 for non-members. Note
BCRA membership cards must be shown. Send booking to Bob Picknett, 28 Potters Way, Laverstock, Salisbury,
Wilts, SP1 1PX and cheques should be made payable to R.G. Picknett Conference
Account.
It is hoped that the club will take one of the commercial
stands to sell caving reports and surveys as well as highlighting the activities
of the club in general.
Anyone willing to give a lecture should make their offer to
the Lecture Secretary, Keith Plumb,
Firwood Ave.
WHERE ARE THEY?
Many may know that Ross White has joined the Royal Marines
and has now passed in basic training making him a fully fledged commando. God help anyone caught in a squeeze with Ross
on the wrong side! Also on army matters,
Tony Tucker is living it up in
furthering his career in the T.A. and no doubt wishing he could buy a pint of
Hunters bitter.
(Tim
Large & Wig)
NEW MEMBERS to all a warm welcome
958 Fiona Lewis, 53 Portway, Wells, Somerset.
959 Alisa Hodgson, 15 Cromwell
Terrace,
960 Michael Phinister,
.and those members on the move their new addresses
959/960 Paul & Alisa Hodgson,
15 Cromwell Terrace,
823 Any Sparrow, Hekellan 4, Shertogenbosch,
878 Ross White, PO3838PY, Recruit White, 125 Alpha Troop,
Company, Limpstone Camp,
Club Notes
.
As you will realise, this is a new column for the BB for the
odd note dealing with the Club and Club Members. If you have anything to contribute let your
editor have it, in writing please. Where
you are going for a holiday; your next planned caving trip; whose been seen on
Mendip; any small item of gossip and news. For example two small items the Bennetts on their holiday in
stayed with John Stafford for a few days and Steve Grime was on Mendip recently
threatening to punch everybody up, as usual! Following the skirmish in the Belfry last year, Garth and Bob X have
patched things up even though the beak put them on probation for a year!
Peak Cavern Again
a report of sorts by Graham Wilton-Jones.
In the midst of the Winter snow
Wilton-Jones and Grass fought their way to Derbyshire while Wig; and Dukes
played safe by staying in comfort here on Mendip!
Traffic news. Friday
March 16th. 1830 hrs – The following
roads are now blocked due to drifting snow; Derbyshire – A6, A57, A61,
Ashbourne and Buxton are completely cut off. Artic blizzards and gale force winds are making driving conditions
treacherous. Drivers are advised to stay
at home unless their journey is absolutely essential
..
Since Peak Cavern is not in our part of the world, and was
booked for the 18th, it was necessary, nay essential, to go to Derbyshire. Journey justified. Besides, some of us have more respect for BEC
tradition (everything to excess) than for our necks.
The, Squire of Yarley, having had his fill of snow in the
Lakes, proffered the feeble excuse that he was saving for a days to trip to
unless the cave is brought to his doorstep. However his worthy chauffeur, Greg, set out alone in the Midget at 5 pm.
Martin, Glenys and Graham (hereinafter we) sped up almost
empty M1, when Glenys speed watching and the partially blocked carb
allowed. Through the incessant blizzard
we watched huge cornices forming on the edge of the motorway cuttings. Deepening snow on the road surface began to
force us over towards the hard shoulder, where a snow plough crept along (did
you realise that snow ploughs cannot clear motorways except. in convoy?) Think about it. In spite of every thing we reached the
Chesterfield Junction at 10.55pm. Unfortunately the snow really began there – and we missed the pub. Great drifts above us and any tarmac was deep
beneath the snow. We passed the Stags at
midnight and ran straight into deep, drifting snow. On with the instant snow chains and we were
away again, passing abandoned lorries and weaving around half buried cars. Less than four miles from the Pegasus Hut at
someone had abandoned a truck right in the middle of the road making it
impossible to all but high clearance vehicles. After freezing to death helping a Derbyshire Mr. ‘N’ and his sergeant
push someone out we parked ourselves, in the Stags car park, shifted all the
gear to the front seats and settled down for the night.
A cry from Glen, ‘I cant find my contact lens box’. We rooted though all the buried gear and
Martin found a film cassette tin to use instead. Settled down again. Then another cry, ‘I dropped them
again’. Glenys is always doing this I
believe she enjoys the thrill of the search. Dig for a torch, find the lenses, and beck to repose posture. Martin spent his waking hours chasing drips
of condensation or burying his head in his sleeping bag hoping hed wake up in
one of his villas. Graham, sandwiched
between Glenys and a shock absorber, wiled away the hours watching snow flakes
on the window (theyre not all different you know) and commenting on the
progress of the snow ploughs. Glen
dreamt she was still in a 5 star hotel and she slept like an inebriated log.
We thought of Greg, either with his car creeping along the
drifts or marooned at the Pegasus, and felt it was our duty to try and reach
the hut. A gaggle of snowploughs and
various other vehicles passed by so we reckoned it had to be OK to reach
deep snow again no one had been through that way. The snowploughs had come up a side road from
Tideswell (they breed) where they must have been stuck over night. We turned round (those snow chains are
wonderful). Thank you, Buckett, and
decided to head for home, abandoning Greg to his fate. In fact he reached
that the snow was too bad to warrant his continuing. Turning back on a motorway in drifts and
blizzards is not that easy. Greg took an
hour and a half to negotiate a roundabout from one carriageway to the other.
Back to the heroes, now struggling through the wastes of
Stoney Middleton. ‘Ah, Eyam,’ muttered
Martin, ‘John Beck lives there. I had to
write to him to book the trip. Lets
scrounge some coffee (we had no cooker for breakfast) and tell him we will not
be here on Sunday for the Peak trip.’ John Beck is a Derbyshire version of Wig. His house is a magnet for cavers. In short we were easily persuaded, over hot
soup and beer in the Miner’s Arms, to stay, in the house next to the Miner’s
Arms, home of Mark Noble – his address, The Cottage, Eyam! It is amazing how many cavers can be crammed
into a minute 17th century cottage. We
spent the rest of the day depleting the alcoholic stocks of the village, seeing
the historic sites of Eyam, tramping through 12ft high drifts, visiting
Waterfall Hole, avoiding catching the Plague and learning barbaric Derbyshire
games and customs.
A warm mist crept in overnight and destroyed the Christmas
card beauty of trees weighed down by ton of snow. The combined effect of the mist and
snowploughs meant that most of the major roads were now clear, and it was
easily possible for us to reach Castleton. The only worry was that the cave
would now be flooding. Arriving in
Castleton we went in search of Wig and John Dukes, who were coming up that
morning. However a quick recce of the
village revealed sign of them. Could it
be that we were the only representatives of the BEC to reach the place? Come to think of it, where has Wig been
caving of late (carry on thinking -Ed). But we must not be too hard on Wig. Coronation Street, cats, cacti and knitting take up much of his time
these days we should not have to expect him to make a special caving trip just
to Peak Cavern. After all, he has not
been there before. John has no excuse
though. He could have stolen, Wigs car
(no comment Ed.)
I realise that the whole point of this article was to slate
the others, but we should mention the cave. Half the TSG (who control Peak) had been with us at Eyam and the other
half waited at Castleton. Glen made for
the hotel/pub while Martin and I followed the others up to the cave, where
small avalanches were cascading down the cliffs, and the Jackdaws were
unleashing lethal icicle missiles which came stabbing down from the heights
above. The cave floor was muddy but the
water-level seemed unaffected the thaw. We quickly made our way to the Treasury. Just beyond this, below an aven to one side of the main passage, the TSG
have a dig in progress, presently involving the removal of tons of large
boulders which are then rolled into the main passage. Martin and I did not like to interfere with
their, dig so we carried on towards the roar of water at Surprise View. Making a note of the water level, we quickly
followed the water down to Buxton Water Sump. This undoubtedly ranks among the finest stream passages in the
country. Today the water was icy cold and
we rapidly made our way back upstream to the Far Sump, where one optimist has
made an enormously long trench stretching way downstream in an attempt to pass
the sump. It has been reported that it
used to be a draughting gravel choke. Back downstream, we entered
which is actually a duck. Disliking
anywhere with less than six feet of airspace I began to remove various boulders
and lowered the water somewhat, but it was very cold, so I dissuaded my
impetuous companion from continuing. Back at the dig we helped for a while and then carried on outwards till
we heard sounds of digging in another passage off to the left. This hitherto ignored passage is similar to
slightly larger. It is totally blocked with
mud, but I was surprised that more effort has not been made to pass the choke
at the end of Wind Tunnel. Perhaps we
should visit Peak more often those of us that get there, that is.
Back in the main cave we washed off the mud of the chilling
stream. Ours was the penultimate trip
before the cave was closed for the tourist season. Unlike Wookey or DYO apartheid is practised
at Peak, but it seems that the present management may be more enlightened. Who knows; maybe even diving will be allowed
again before long. Treasury Sump, the
backdoor to Speedwell, may be old hat but Ink is reputedly to lead into an
enormous cross passage, while Far Sump must lead to the continuation of the
original main passage.
Viaduct Sink the opening campaign
After their success at
Thrupe digging team turned their attention to Windsor Hill an area always
thought to be of great promise by older members of the B.E.C. Simon Meade-King (WSG & Wxxxxx) has sent
the following report for publication in the Belfry Bulletin.
Some two miles north of Shepton Mallet lies an area of
limestone scarred by the complex of the Windsor Hill quarries, now disused, and
pierced by the track bed of the old Somerset and Dorset Railway on its solitary
path over the Mendips from Shepton Mallet to Radstock.
The quarrying operations have revealed various small caves
which have attracted the attentions of cavers over the years. Though small in themselves these caves hinted
at the possibility of a large cave system taking the considerable drainage
which sinks in the area.
Just beyond the quarries the railway crossed the deep wooded
ravine of the
by an impressive viaduct. Almost in the
shadow of this viaduct a sizeable stream sinks in the floor of the valley, to
re-emerge three miles to the west at St. Andrews Wells after dropping nearly
300ft via the limestone. Viaduct Sink,
as this swallet is known, together with Windsor Hill Sink a few hundred yards
away, form the most easterly of the ten Sat. Andrews feeders. These feeders stretch from Biddlecombe
Swallet, just to the north east of Wells to Windsor Hill in the east, and
include
the only sink to have yielded a major system to date.
The principle geological feature of the Windsor Hill area is
the sandstone ridge of Maesbury, a mile to the north. This provides a catchment area for the
streams running off its southern flank. Below the Maesbury ridge is a superficial layer of head, Thrupemarsh,
which gathers the surface water before it crosses the Lower Limestone Shales
and sinks at the limestone boundary.
Viaduct sink has been known for many years, the stream
disappearing in its bed 45yds up valley from the viaduct, and in wet conditions
running on down the valley to sink in an intermediate swampy area in the
woods. However, although geologically
the top sink is in a textbook situation, the immediate surface area did not
encourage digging with an absence of solid rock against which to construct the
shoring of a shaft.
The first trial excavations began in January 1976 and
brought up sandstone cobbles, shale and finally Black Rock Limestone, until at
a depth of 3ft a boulder ruckle was encountered. Work continued through the boulders and until
a buried cliff gradually emerged. This
discovery was of importance if only because it solved the shoring problem.
By the spring of 1976, when Atlas (the digging team) were
invited to join forces with the West London Caving Club on the site, a large if
unsupported pit has been opened up with on all sides but one, a jumble of mud
and rock. At its maximum depth the cliff
was undercut, and as we excavated the down dip end of the pit, a rift was
exposed choked with tons of rocky material.
At this point with things beginning to look interesting a
halt was called to the digging to enable a proper shaft to be constructed. This was built entirely of wood using
sleepers from the nearby quarry siding and unlike that at Thrupe was built to
rather more economical design and with the ends interlocking to provided more
strength.
As material was brought up it was dumped behind the shoring
to give extra stability and at 18ft depth we fixed the last rungs in place and
digging then recommenced at the mouth of the choked rift. It was down this rift that the most promising
point of attack appeared to be. The left
wall gave a feeling of security although on the right a low chamber needed
walling up to support the unstable roof.
We then moved forwards and downwards against the solid wall,
uncovering evidence of a major stream sink in the form of a huge sandstone
cobble. Large quantities of stal were
brought up. As we deepened the area
beyond the grouted wall more grouting and consolidating became necessary. We concreted in a sleeper at roof level to
give additional support to the roof and prevent boulders dropping on us from
the rift above. The instability of the
roof made progress rather slow, and several boulders had to be banged the
fumes clearing slowly in the absence of a noticeable draught. An interesting discovery was a small round
tube going off to the left, probably an abandoned oxbow. Beyond this passage, our way forward was
unexpectedly barred by a solid wall, and we diverted out attack to the right.
It was now the sweltering days of August at the height of
the heat wave, and the stream had completely dried up making conditions very
pleasant. However, as we probed forward
into a mass of loose material we began to undermine our second grouted wall,
and another sleeper was cast across to prevent collapse. The main priority had to be to leave the shaky
conditions of the entrance rift and getting something a good deal more solid
and here we were lucky. A few feet ahead
lay a small chamber almost filled with rubble and with a roof if not absolutely
solid very nearly so, and all our effort could now return to digging.
The following day, with a bit of clearing back we were able
to crawl up and have a careful look at the chamber. Up dip to the right, were two obvious stream
inlets one at least coming direct from the surface. To the left, at its lowest point, the wall
was undercut along its whole length and probing revealed a promising black hole
which we enlarged revealing a definite way on. An awkward jammed rock barred access to what appeared to be a more roomy
passage below it looked as if we could be nearly in. The roof was banged and with hopes of a
breakthrough running high we forced our way through. But alas, this turned out to be a space
hardly enough room to admit a body merely a tiny breakdown chamber with no
obvious continuations. On the east wall
was much evidence of botyoidal stal and the place had a generally dry
fossilised look about it similar to some of the small caves in Windsor Hill
Quarry. The south wall was of a
semi-circular shape indicating erosion by the swirly motion of a descending
stream. The floor consisted of a massive
slab, fallen from the roof.
So, with no immediate prospects in that direction we
resorted to clearing out the first chamber we had entered. The numerous cobbles that emerged were a
constant source of encouragement and after a few hours digging we uncovered the
mouth of a bedding plane under the right wall, draughting slightly, and floored
with stream debris.
During the Bank Holiday weekend that followed, this bedding
plane, some three feet across by eighteen inches high, was cleared out and was
soon roomy enough for one of us crawl in to the edge of a six foot drop where a
cross-rift cut across at right angles. To the left and right this rift petered out, but straight ahead a flat
out gravel lined crawl was forced to an awkward constricted right hand
bend. By squeezing flat out a man sized
space could be seen to the right with apparently stal covered walls. Stones thrown through made promisingly
resonant noises and a crowbar pushed through indicated 3ft of width. Furthermore, one of the team reported the
sound of a distant roar the omens looked good.
TO BE CONTINUED
A.G.M. MINUTES will be published in the July B.B.
DONT FORGET THE B.E.C. ANNUAL DINNER to be held on SATURDAY
6th OCTOBER 1979.
7.00pm for 8.00pm, an hour pre-dinner boozing and a free
drink will be included in the bargain. The price hasnt been fixed yet but it will be about £3.50 each. Tim will be giving all the details in the
next B.B.
EGM Minutes
Minutes of EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING held at the Belfry
on Saturday 7th October 1978 to discuss the Committee Resolution: –
That this meeting accepts the re-drafted B.E.C. Constitution
in view of the resolution passed by the 1977 A.G.M. and Martin Cavenders
comments regarding recent changes in legislation. Further the committee believe that it is
essential that the indemnity and trustee clauses be included in the new
constitution, the former to protect the club against any potential claim and
the latter to ensure that the trustees be brought under the control of the
Annual General Meeting of the club.
The meeting was convened at 10.15am by the Hon. Secretary
Tim Large, the necessary quorum being present. He then asked for nominations for a chairman. Colin Dooley and Sett were nominated from
the: floor. The Hon. Secretary called
for a vote and Sett was elected by a large majority.
The chairman then read the committee resolution and then
suggested that the proposed constitution be discussed section by section.
Dave Irwin suggested adding to the Presents the definition
of member, as it, was, not made clear in the new proposals. Also adding the definition of a probationary
member. Martin Cavender suggested that
the probationary members clause was not necessary. Alan Thomas felt that the probationary
members clause should be left in. Nigel
Taylor proposed, seconded by Tom Temple that the probationary members clause
be included in the new constitution. A
vote was called for, 25 in favour 8 against, motion carried.
John Dukes expressed concern over the time lapse for some
probationary members before they are ratified. Barrie Wilton said that the new clause 3f was intended to prevent this,
every probationary member being ratified 12 months after the date of
acceptance.
Alan Thomas suggested that the E.G.M., instruct the
Committee to publish a list of probationary members in the B.B.
The meeting accepted that clause 3f has added and has not
been ratified.
Roy Bennett proposed an amendment to the existing clause 1,
that it be deleted and a new clause inserted (copy attached). He felt that the new proposal needed much
more clarification. Nigel Taylor said
the purpose of the sub-committee was to simplify it from the load of rubbish it
has been. On a point of order Alan
Thomas asked the chairman for Nigel Taylors comments to be minuted and that he
apologise for the comments. Nigel
without prompting retracted his statement and apologised. A vote was taken 9 being in favour with 32
against, motion defeated.
Bob Bagshaw suggested that there was need for clarification
of ‘permanently salaried member of the club’. Martin Cavender suggested that the new proposal covered the meaning
adequately. The meeting agreed to delete
the last line of clause 1.
Joan Bennett expressed concern ever the exclusion of anyone
under the age of 18 from joining the club. Kangy explained that the reasons for excluding minors was connected with
the question of indemnity, also that the age of new members has risen. Bob Bagshaw said that if we were worried
about indemnity then perhaps guests under 18 should not be allowed to use the
Belfry or, join in club activities. Dave
Irwin said that the problem regarding minors had arisen from the insurance
claim over the lamb Leer accident and the problems of taking minors
caving. Tom Temple said that the
exclusion of minors from the club activities and the Belfry would prevent many
youngsters from using the club who do so as guests at present. Steve Tuck said that by excluding minors then
those who became interested in caving when in the scouts, youth clubs etc.
would be unable to join the club during the period of usually leaving these
groups at 16 and attaining the age of 18. Martin Bishop suggested that minors could be include by providing member
to member insurance cover, but that this would possibly raise the club
subscription. Joan Bennett said that
this was not necessary so as we could accept this risk as we always have done
without radically changing the club. Alan Thomas proposed, seconded by Joan Bennett that the lower age limit
for the club be 16. 18 in favour, 11
against motion carried.
Kangy proposed, seconded by Steve Tuck that there be no
lower age limit for the club. The motion
was substantially defeated with only 3 in favour. Martin Cavendar suggested that 3(a)A be
amended to read Members shall be over the age of 16 years and sub-divided
into:- The meeting agreed with a murmur
of concern.
Joan Bennett suggested an amendment to 3c so that the
financial club year runs from September 1st to give the treasurer time to
produce a statement of accounts before the A.G.M. Joan Bennett and Dave Irwin said that the
reason was to rationalise the club finances. Dave Turner proposed, seconded by Martin Bishop that the club year runs
from September 1st. 19 in favour, 22
against, motion defeated. Joan Bennett
proposed, seconded by Martin Cavender that the club year runs from October
1st. Motion carried with a large majority.
Bob Bagshaw said that 3g of the new constitution gave powers
to expel any member, but no power to fine despite the Hut Wardens power to
fine. Roy Bennett suggested adding
suspend to 3g line 6, after expel. The meeting accepted this unanimously. The meeting agreed to delete also by majority pass a resolution in line
6 of 3g. Alan Thomas proposed, seconded
by Martin Cavendar that the expelled or suspended person has the right of
appeal to a general meeting. Carried
unanimously.
Bob Bagshaw said that 3h could be revised to read sent in
the ordinary course of post or delivered by hand. The meeting agreed.
Joan Bennett suggested an amendment to 4e line 5 as in its
present reading a poll could be held up by 2 members. Martin Cavendar suggested amending 4e line 4
after seconding adding supported by vote.
Bob Bagshaw suggested that 4a needed clarification over the
word sent, but the meeting felt that the clause adequately said what was
intended. 4(b) to include at least on
line 4 after give. 4(d) to include
lesser to be inserted instead of least line 2. Alan Thomas proposed deleting 4e from
unless onwards, seconded by Colin Dooley. 30 in favour, 3 against, motion carried.
Bob Bagshaw said re-4h, delete non present. The meeting agreed by general consent to
insert in 4h whether or in line 1 after member. Dave Irwin pointed out that 4g could be
deleted as 4h now covered the point. The
meeting agreed.
Bob Bagshaw said that in 5a some words could be deleted as
they were not necessary. Line 1, delete
unless otherwise determined by a general meeting. Line 3, delete whatever the
circumstances. Line 5, delete or
reversed. The meeting murmured its
approval. Martin Bishop expressed
concern over 5a with regard to the membership of committees of clubs of similar
aims being eligible to hold office, and whether this included the Cave Diving
Group. Discussion took place and the
meeting agreed that the C.D.G. was a national body and not a club. Martin Bishop proposed, seconded by Dave
Turner that the following be added to 5a. This shall not apply to committee members of national and regional clubs
and bodies of like aims. In favour 40, 0
against. Motion carried. Dave Turner proposed, seconded by Alan Thomas
that 5b line 5 be changed to read the first week of after by the end
of. 12 in favour, 0 against motion
carried. Dave Turner proposed seconded
by Alan Thomas that line 5b line 2 be altered to read committee during
July. The members – . The meeting agreed. Dave Irwin proposed, seconded by Joan Bennett
that the present clause 63 be substituted for 5c. The meeting agreed unanimously.
Joan Bennett felt that in view of the A.G.M. of 1977s
precedent, the B.B. editor being elected by the A.G.M. that the B.B. editor
should be a committee member. Joan
Bennett proposed, seconded by Martin Bishop that 5d have added B.B. editor
after engineer. 40 in favour, 1 against,
motion carried.
The meeting discussed the question of 5d in respect of the
number of posts a committee member should be allowed to hold. Some felt, that one post was to restricting
and that individuals could do more than one job as shown in the past. Alan Thomas proposed, seconded by Dave Irwin
that 5d be changed from not more than one to not more than two. 34 on favour, 4 against, motion carried.
Bob Bagshaw pointed out that the word Honorary should be
added between following and offices (5d line 2). The meeting agreed.
The meeting discussed 5g and generally agreed that
Chairman should be changed to chairman as the club has no formal
chairman. Also in 5g from If notice to
end of clause br deleted. Joan Bennett
proposed, seconded by Martin Cavendar that 5h be amended to include: – Line 2
An audited annual income and expenditure account shall be present at the
Annual general meeting — Agreed unanimously. 5h Line 2 reasonable inserted before time. 5c add members are entitled to attend
committee meetings agreed. The
meeting agreed to accept 5j as it stood.
Alan Thomas suggested that 6c should be included on the
application form. The meeting agreed and
considered it should be actioned by the new committee.
Bob Bagshaw said regarding 6c that in line 5 from save to
the end of the line could be deleted as it was unnecessary. The meeting agreed.
Martin Cavendar suggested that in 6a line 3 be amended
after period at the discretion of the Hut Warden, subject to ratification by
the committee.
Bob Bagshaw suggested that 6b be deleted the meeting
agreed.
Some discussion took place regarding 7a and Dave Turner,
seconded by Alan Thomas said that it should be amended to reads from 60% to 75%
of registered members present at the A.G.M. Dave Irwin seconded by Joan Bennett said that 7a should be changed from
poll to A.G.M. In favour 34, against 2,
motion carried.
The meeting agreed to accept 7b/c without alteration.
Martin Cavendar and Bob Bagshaw, being experts in the field
of Trustees discussed clause 8 clarifying points for the meeting. The meeting agreed following their advice to:
– delete be last line. That line 2
a general meeting shall elect the Trustees. That line 8 from who to line 14 Trustees be deleted. The meeting agreed.
Bob Bagshaw pointed out that there were several grammatical
errors which needed tidying up. The
meeting agreed that Bob should check it through at a later date to correct such
errors, but without altering meanings.
It was proposed by Martin Bishop and seconded by Tom Temple
that the new constitution as amended and agreed upon at this meeting, be
accepted as the clubs constitution and be effective as of the end of this
meeting. Motion carried with a large
majority.
There being no other business the meeting was closed by the
chairman at 1.20pm.
Ed. Note: Our thanks
to Fiona for typing the minutes of the E.G.M.