Belfry Bulletin

QUODCUMQUE  FACIENDUM : NIMIS  FACIEMUS

Editorial

Good News

Thrupe Swallet - as many of you probably know - 'went' over Easter and has resulted in a new addition to the major caves of Mendip.  Congratulations to all the diggers involved.  I also have information of another site which may shortly yield a cave of reasonable size and add yet a further cave to the Mendip repertoire.

Happy as this situation is, one wonders how effective any measures to conserve them - if they warrant such treatment - will be.  Must new discoveries on Mendip always be balanced by the loss of irretrievable formations in the newly-discovered caves or elsewhere?  Present day caving being what it is, I have no doubt of the fate of any worthwhile scenic beauty that these new caves may possess.

Don Coase Memorial Lecture

A write-up of this function appears in this B.B., to which I would like to add that those who missed it missed an extremely interesting, technically excellent and amusing lecture. If future Don Coase Memorial Lectures maintain the standard set by this first one, they will indeed prove a fitting tribute to Don and a credit to the club.

Am I Wasting My Time?

I ask this question quite seriously, as I recently heard through the usual second or third-hand channels, that 'nobody ever reads the B.B. and that there is no point writing anything worthwhile in it, since nobody ever bothers to quote from it or refer to it.'

I know that this is not entirely true, because at least those indefatigable researchers of C.T.S. refer to every source of caving information, and our exchange system (ably kept up-to-date and put where it counts most by the equally indefatigable Wig) makes sure that at least the B.B. gets into the right hands - even if those hands do not always do what we would like them to.  It is, of course, possible that the occasional lack of reference to work originally published in the B.B. may occur through lack of knowledge of its source.  It is even possible that this could occur through prejudice.  It could also be because work published is not considered of a sufficient standard compared with, say, a slightly later account in some other publication.

Whatever basis there may (or may not) be for complaints such as this one, there is no doubt that 'knocking' of the club magazine has an erosive effect.  The task of persuading people to contribute becomes in any case more difficult, and there might well come a point at which an editor is forced to consider seriously whether it is all worthwhile.

“Alfie”

The Don Coase Memorial Lecture

An appreciation of the first of these annual lectures.

by 'Kangy'

This, the first of an annual series, was given by Dr. Tony Waltham - Lecturer in Geology; author; editor and evidently caver.

Don Coase was a caver too. As Alfie Collins said in a short tribute before the lecture, we wanted to remember Don in this fashion because he was a damn fine caver and a damn fine club member.

The Wig, slightly twittery about the turnout because of the lateness of the announcement in the B.B. (A tradition, surely and entirely appropriate!) need not have worried, because the turnout, impromptu and most enthusiastic, was good.

Tony's lecture, 'Caves and Altitude' was pitched at me and my lad and we both enjoyed it at our different levels.  He described his searches for the cave depth record, the premise being that to find the deepest cave in the world, it is necessary to start at altitude.  We were left to draw our own conclusions.

We were shown slides. Slides of Mendip; Yorkshire; France; Greece; Kashmir; Nepal; Iran; U.S.A. and fresh from the printers, Canada.  Tony is a travelling caving man with considerable photographic ability. Studying the slides, one became aware of the technique behind the art and I was left grinning with admiration at an effortless ladder shot which was one of the best lit that I can remember seeing. The link work was supplied by the dry throwaway style of Waltham the humorist, with a succession of tall stories of ludicrous situations which my two lads are still repeating to each other.

Tony is the author of the book 'CAVES' to be publish this autumn by Macmillan which should be good.

I would like to thank Dr. Waltham for his fine lecture and express my appreciation in this form. Could we have another lecture, please? Perhaps a lecture explaining why (with abseiling techniques so highly developed) the expeditions he takes part in seem to rely on the good old-fashioned ladder.

Long Term Planning

Graham Wilton-Jones, who is running the Long Term Planning Sub -Committee, gives us their first thoughts on what we should be doing to the Belfry site.

General Philosophies:

We must make better use of the existing facilities.  The comfort of users must always be considered.  Most facilities show room for extension and improvement.  We should improve existing conditions to as high a standard as possible before embarking on any major alterations or extensions.

Such improvement is to be performed item by item, according to a particular order of priorities. Therefore a general report is to be submitted initially, outlining all the possible improvements and useful or necessary alterations.  Detailed reports on each item will then be submitted before work begins on that item.

In order to do this, three lists will be compiled.  The first will show order of priority of groups of items since it has rapidly become clear that many items are connected in some ways, and can thus he dealt with together for convenience.  The second will show the order of extent of the improvement or alteration in size of cost and labour while the third will show the order of priority of the items.

The nature and extent of any improvements should be guided by our present circumstances, and determined finally in the light of past experience.  However, any alterations will be determined by what we believe or can assess that the club; the members; the caving situation etc will be like in ten years' time - since this is the period set by the terms of the report.

It is likely that more people will be actively caving though current rates of growth will diminish. The club will probably be bigger, and there will be more guest bookings.  Under present conditions we would have more guests and fewer members using the Belfry.  Guests must not take over the hut, and it must therefore be made more attractive to members.  We must regard the guests as potential new club members as well as a means of helping the Belfry to pay for itself.

List 1.  Order of Priority of Groups of Items.

1.                    Comfort. (Includes heating and insulation.)

2.                    Rubbish storage and disposal.

3.                    Cooking facilities and food storage.

4.                    Eating.

5.                    Washing up, drying, cutlery and crockery storage.

6.                    Workshop facility.

7.                    Changing and drying of clothes.

8.                    Washing self (although the shower facility alone deserves higher priority.)

9.                    Charging facilities.

10.                Sleeping accommodation.

11.                Parking.

12.                Administration facility (Hut Warden's Office/booth)

13.                Library.

14.                The loft.

Other lists and progress on this subject will be published in the B.B. to keep members up-to-date.

The Editor would like to invite any member who has useful comment to make on this subject to write to about it.

Barbecue This Year

IT WILL BE ON SATURDAY JUNE 22ND.  INFORMATION, OFFERS OF HELP TO NIGEL TAYLOR

Round and About

A Monthly Miscellany

By 'Wig'

28. Thrupe Swallet.  The great news of the Easter weekend was that Thrupe Swallet 'went' on Good Friday.  The explorers - Tony Dingle et al. broke into a deep rift which leads to the cave which will be described.  Thrupe Swallet is one of the large stream sinks which has not, until now, given up its secrets.  Originally dug about 1936 by the Mendip Exploration Society, who entered two small chambers, it was later abandoned due to difficult conditions and instability.  The next recorded account appears about 1968 when George Pointing and Dave Berry together with Norman Tuck, started work again.  From then on, the site has been dug more or less continually, Tony Dingle working it in the later stages.

The find would appear to be a major Mendip discovery.  A brief description is as follows:- A 30' dug shaft leads to a 150 - 200 ft long rift involving general shuffling and some traversing and drops some 50' to the head of Perseverance Pot.  Below this pot is Perseverance Rift, up to 40' high and similar to Manor Farm rift.  This gives access to Cowsh Crawl - some six horrible feet long!  After this crawl, a left fork leads to a rift series of passages up to 80' high with some shafts in the area.  To the right, one enters Butt's Chamber (name of farmer) a sizeable place where the stream enters.  Some 30' above the floor, a sand crawl leads for 30' to Marble Chamber, smaller than the previous chamber.  At the bottom of this chamber, a crawl through unstable boulders regains the stream which falls down an impressive aven.  The way on lies along a Yorkshire type rift for about 150' when suddenly the head of Atlas Shaft - some 170' deep - is reached. The dimensions of Atlas Shaft are quite something even by Yorkshire standards. It is about 50' by 60' at the top. A short climb of some 30' via an oxbow gives way to a 120' ladder pitch, and then a 20' scramble at the bottom leads to a further 300' of passage believed to end in a sand choke, though the explorers are not yet allowing cavers beyond the head of the big shaft. The Wessex are gating the cave at the moment, and it is believed that they intend to hand the access control over to the Council of Southern Caving Clubs Limited.

29. Charterhouse Caving Permits.  The period permits are issued to club members on a five year basis and are valid as long as the member pays his subscription - hint!  No permits are issued to members or indeed anyone under the age of 16 or to married minors.  Permits are issued at the Belfry or a 'Wig's' and may be obtained from any of the following: - Caving Sec., Hut Warden, Librarian.  Forms must be countersigned by a parent if the member is under 18.
30. Wookey Hole.  The planned extension to the show cave into Wookey 9 is well under way.  The tunnel from 3 has been blasted through and now requires a concrete walkway to permit access to the weegees and a further excuse for the management to make an extra charge!
31. St. Cuthbert' s Minery Ledger.   Now in the hands of the club has made fascinating reading matter.  A fuller note will appear as a separate article in a later edition of the B.B.
32. Climbing and Caving Logs.  Members are required to enter all trips made by them as a record of club activities.  I know that at the moment the level of activity is not at full blast, but future members would like to know what was done.  Many members are actively digging at least three sites on Mendip and not one of them has been mentioned in the log - SO PLEASE ENTER YOUR TRIPS UP.

Editor's Note:  It is appreciated that some degree of secrecy often surrounds digs.  Even so, if diggers could keep a record - and if necessary chuck it in the B.B. box after the dig has either 'gone' or been abandoned - it can find its way into club records.

33. Practice Rescues.  Roy Bennett and 'Wig' are discussing a short series of practices.  Two are to be arranged for this year.  Longwood (Great Chamber) and a full Cuthbert’s.
34. Swildons Shatter Series.  On Easter Sunday a mixed party bailed and succeeded opening the 'U' tube. The party, essentially S.M.C.C., worked the buckets of liquid mud back up the small tube and tipped the spoil into the crack in Crossways Chamber.  'Butch', always in need of careful skin treatment, managed to get a magnificent mud bath as he almost sumped the mud pool to get through to the downstream side, losing helmet and light in the process!
35. Easter Weekend Again.  Martin and Liz Bishop, plus Ken, James, Dog, and members of C.C.G. spent their holidays in Ireland caving in the Clare area.  Mike Palmer, Nig Taylor, Andy Nicholls, the Wiltons and others made off to Derbyshire land among the holes visited were Giants to the bottom and Knotlow Mine including the shaky new extension.  The Bennetts spent the weekend walking Snowdonia, and according to Joan the weather was the best they'd ever known it.  Dave Turner spent the weekend, it is reported both underground in Cuthbert’s and above ground ballooning.

Stan Gee and Chris Falshaw have both been around the Belfry and as far as I can gather Chris will be down again in the near future for a Cuthbert’s trip while Stan Gee's comment was" Well, life at the Belfry hasn’t changed since I was last down!"

36. Manor Farm.  Roy Bennett writes "After being defeated in Hunters Hole, the Tuesday/Wednesday night diggers have been pushing the depths of Manor Farm under the watchful eye of N.H.A.S.A.  The cave originally ended in a fork, the left hand passage ascending to boulders while the right hand passage ended in an impassable rift.

First, the boulders in the left hand fork were passed to an aven with a boulder roof, while the rift was chemically widened to give access to a wider section with a hole leading off to another boulder choke.  The aven was then pushed further by a combination of delicate banging and luck, with the boulders becoming increasingly restive and aggressive. The team were considering giving up when a breakthrough was made on the 17th April 1974 to a small collapse chamber on the side of a sizeable rift.  This runs back up cave along a fault and contains large masses of calcite. There appears to be no open way on, and further digging will have to be resorted to.  Unfortunately the best site, high at the Southern end, is occupied by a rather nice stalactite grotto.  This has been taped off, and other points of attack will be looked into.

Anyone contemplating a look round should be very careful in the boulder ruckle. Work will continue every Wednesday and careful volunteers are welcome.  Around the holiday periods it is best to phone Roy (Tel: 0272-627813) after 6 p.m.  A plan and section sketch of the area will be found on the opposite page.

37. Cuthbert’s.  Ray Mansfield and others have recently removed all fixed aids in the Maypole Series as agreed and left the pitches rigged as is Pulley Pitch.  Also, the ladder in the entrance shaft has now been removed and a chain installed.
38. Cavers' Books worth buying.  The Mysterious World of Caves - E. Bauer.  Published by Collins International Library Series.  Price, £1.50.  129pp and many coloured illustrations and photographs.  In many ways a better buy than 'Radiant Darkness'.  Available from Smiths or any bookseller.

The Caves of North-West Clare. Ed. Tratman.  Published by David and Charles, Newton Abbott, Devon.  255pp and many surveys and photographs.  A caving classic.  Price £6.00 though thought by some to be now £7.00.

A tour to the Caves - John Button.  A reprint of this 1780 work.  It describes a journey through the Yorkshire dales and of the known caves. S.R. Publishers Ltd.  Price £1.50.

Postojna (English Edition).  A photographic record of this great cave.   Available from Tony Oldham, 17, Freemantle Rd, Eastville, Bristol.  Price £3.00

39. Bryan Ellis retires.  Though Bryan has long since retired from regular caving, he was the main source for caving publications.  After serving the caving community for 14 years, he is now only handling SMCC, BCRA & Descent.

Caving Meets

JUNE 22nd.  (Saturday) Cil Yr Ychen and Llygad Llwchwr.  One Day Meet.  Apply to Caving Sec. for Details.

JULY 13/14.  Forest of Dean. Staying at the Gloucester Hut.

AUGUST 23-26. Yorkshire.  Birk's Fell and Sleets Gill.

For further information on these meets, and any others that may be in hand, apply to the Caving Sec or 'Wig'.

Free Diving To Nine

Colin Priddle, the first man to free dive to the ninth chamber in Wookey, sends us this letter and account

After the plea by the editor and by Dave Irwin in 'Round and About', I have photocopied articles by myself which were published in C.D.G. Newsletter No 30 for January 1974.

It is C.D.G. policy for anyone to copy articles provided the Hon. Sec. is asked for permission.  As I am the Hon. Sec., I give you permission as long as we get a plug and a note quoting the source.

The plug is that the C.D.G. Newsletters are published every 3 months at a price of 20p for about 30 pages. They contain all the diving reports and diving finds from all the caving areas.  The Newsletter is obtainable form the Hon. Editor, Dr, O.C. Lloyd, Withey House, Withey Close West, Bristol BS9 3SX.  A remittance should be sent with the order.  Cheques and postal order to be made payable to the Cave Diving Group.

_______________________

The intention of the trip was to explore a new passage above the 8th and 9th chambers.  John Parker, wearing a single 40, laid a line to 5 and I free dived though climb directly out of the water into 5.  The dive from 3 to 4 is very easy (6ft long and 2 ft deep). The dive from 4 to 5 is probably 18 feet long and 6 feet in depth.  John Parker then dived to 9 and came back overland to the top of 5.  He then lowered a string halfway to the water, to which I attached a ladder.  John then belayed and I climbed.

Six was crossed by an awkwardish traverse followed by a small passage to 7.  This was a direct traverse and climb down about 60 ft to the water.  The lower part of this climb I found very difficult.  I would recommend for future trips that a ladder from 5 should be used for this climb.  A quick swim along the lake’s length and a twenty foot ladder climb brought the view of the 8th chamber.  A crawl through a hole; a wall traverse; a free climb down; a twenty foot swim and a twenty foot ladder climb brought us to the upper part of 9.1.  The two twenty foot ladders we used were left by John Parker in his trip to 5.  One of the N.C.B. divers then climbed up the ladder to us but decided that, as time was running short, we ought to be going out.  So he went back down to 9 and I went to 8.  John Parker coiled the 8 ladder as I connected the 7 ladder to the nylon rope acting as a Tyrolean across 7.  John belayed the 7 ladder from 9 so that I could climb down to the 7 water level.  Once there, he coiled the 7 ladder whilst swimming, also releasing the belaying rope for me in 9.  John then dived to 5 while I climbed and crawled to 5.  The ladder in 5 was lengthened from above so that the belaying rope could be used to belay the ladder round a stal from below. Once down, the ladder was lowered, leaving the belaying rope round the stal for future trips. The lines were taken out from the sumps at the end of the five hour trip.

This trip was repeated later, and the ladders to 8 and 7 were belayed before the trip in an earlier dive.  By using a ladder on the long drop into 7 from 5 the route was much easier.  Even so, the party of three (Clive Westlake, John Parker and myself) took nearly five hours.  The push above 9.1. yielded nothing.

The time taken to dive from 5 to 9 is of the order of three minutes, so as far as time saving is concerned, the overland route is not advantageous,.

Editor's Note: Colin tell us that, after May 31st, his address will be:-

C.J. Priddle,
c/o 19 Stottbury Rd,
Horfield,
Bristol BS7 9NH.

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

Have YOU done anything interesting lately?

Why not write it up for the B.B.

Letters To The Editor

4, Albion Terrace,
Upper Bristol Rd,
Bath.

Dear Alfie,

Having just received my March B.B. together with the April issue, I have only just seen your request for suggestions etc., and felt compelled to write.

First, I must congratulate you on the improvement in the printing, which is now much clearer and more legible.

My March and April B.B.’s came in the same envelope and all for 3p!  This immediately set me thinking about that 'hardy annual' - a bi-monthly B.B. Is it really necessary to publish monthly?  Two months is considered a very short space of time these days, and what do we really gain from a monthly B.B.?

For all their moans, I don't think member s would really miss a monthly B. B. and they would have twice as much to read when they did get it.  This way, we could cut our postage costs in half and save on covers as well.  With the rising price of paper and postage, this surely makes sense - otherwise, we shall soon be having to review our subs again!

Yours, etc,
Tim Large.

Editor's Note:     Thank you, Tim.  As you say, the idea of a bi-monthly B.B. is one which has cropped up for years now, and every time the club have been asked - by sending out a questionnaire or by voting at A.G.M.'s they have always been in favour of continuing the monthly publication of the B.B.

At the moment, we are coping financially - but as you point out, the rapidly rising costs of paper and envelopes with threatened rises in postal charges may well compel us to ask the club at some future date to choose between a monthly B.B. and a higher subscription rate or a less frequent B.B. and the same subscription.  On the other hand, it is now reckoned that inflation may well be as high as 20% per year - as distinct from the 14% which I quoted in a recent B.B.  If this rate is indeed true, then subs of all caving clubs will have to go up regularly and this inevitable increase will to some extent take care of the rising costs. It all boils down in the end as to what the club members want to see for their money.  Do they want, in an inflationary age, to see subs kept below the current value of money with some inevitable cut-back in club services - or do they want to see these services maintained with the subscription jacked up at intervals to match the falling value of money?  It is a straight choice, which perhaps the club ought to consider at the next A.G.M.

We must bear in mind that never, since the club was founded, have we been exposed to such a rapid inflationary situation.  In these circumstances, it may well be the sensible thing to set our sights a little lower.  On the other hand, we did much worse then the W.C.C. in losing members when both clubs put up their subs by the same amount.  Should we therefore go for better service to club members to make them feel their sub is well spent?

I must confess that I don’t know the answer to this one.  I have replied to your letter at some length (much longer than your letter was!) because I feel that the point you have raised is one which has greater repercussions than just the B.B.  I think that it is something which club members should talk about between now and October, and I will be pleased to publish any letters on this important topic in the meantime.

Notice

Following the resignation of Doug Stuckey form the committee and as caving secretary, Andy Nicholls has volunteered to take his place.  Before confirming this, the committee are taking this opportunity to advertise the vacancy.  Any applications should be made to the committee.

Vi Salon Nacional Y I Internacional Fotograffica Espeleologica

This is a description of a cave photography show, which club members can enter.

The Speleology Delegation of the Excursion Section of the REDDIS soccer club invites photographers from all over the world to enter the I INTERNATIONAL SPELAEOLOGICAL PHOTOGRAPY SHOW to be held in the city of REUS in 1974.

The Theme is that of scientific and sporting spelaeology, and participants can be either amateurs of professionals and can enter either as individuals or through their clubs and/or societies.

Photographs may be in black-and-white or as colour prints, up to a maximum of five, un-mounted.  The recommended size is 30 x 40 cm. (16 x 12ft approx.)  No works whose longest side is greater than 40 cm will be admitted.  The number, title and location taken should be written on the back of each photograph as well as the name and address of the photographer. These details should be the same as those written on the entry form.

Photographs may only be submitted by post as certified printed matter, and the entry forms should be sent under separate cover by air mail.  (I have two copies of the entry form and the certified printed matter envelope sticker which I will give to any club member who wants to participate - Editor. Entries and photographs should be sent to the following address:-

O.E. REDDIS.  I SALON INTERNATIONAL SPELAEOLOGICAL, PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW, P.O. Box 217, REUS, SPAIN.

There will be a prize for the best black-and-white and the best colour collection (minimum of three prints - maximum of five as above).  These prizes will consist of plaques - enamelled with gold, silver and bronze inlays with the name of the winner suitably engraved.

Photographs will be returned within fifty days after the show closes, except the winning photographs, which will be retained.  All participants must freely authorize the reproduction of their works with no right to royalty payments.

A Show Catalogue will be sent to all participants.  THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE.  The organisers are not responsible for any loss or damage to works.

Photographs will be accepted up to September 30th 1974 and judging will occur on October the 5th or 6th. The actual show will be held from November 9th to November 24th and the awards ceremony will be held on the last day of the show (November 24th).

Editor's Note:     Apart from the fact that I have been sent literature describing this show, which has been reproduced in the B.B. above, I know nothing about it.  At first sight it may seem odd that a football club (Club futbol REDDIS) should be organising an international salon of cave photography - on the other hand, it does give club members a chance to have a go - and at least the entrance is free AND competitors get a free show catalogue.  The club did debate whether or not it would be prepared to organise a club entry, but decided that there were very few active cave photographers compared to years ago, and that it was best for members to compete individually if they desired.

As I noted earlier, I have TWO COPIES of the entry form and the special envelope sticker.  No doubt, if more than two members wish enter, further copies can be obtained by writing to the address given.

The Somerset Trust For Nature Conservation.

There is always a shortage of small items to fill odd gaps such as this one in the B.B.  Any small item of interest or of a humorous nature will do - as long as it is printable!

If YOU can think of anything suitable, drop it into the B.B. box in the Belfry - but drop it gently or you may disturb the spider, who has made this box his home, since nobody else has used the box for ages!

From time to time, we receive handouts from societies whose objects are thought to have something in common with, our own.  The last of these to be written up some time ago in the B.B was that of the Mendip Society in connection with their preservation of Smitham Chimney on Harptree Hill.  This one is from the Somerset Trust for Nature Conservation.

Publication of this type of information should not imply that the club are officially bringing the activities of these bodies to the attention of members, or urging them to contribute to them or to join them.  We publish, as always, for the information of club members.

THE SOMERSET TRUST FOR NATURE CONSERVATION.

The purpose of the trust is to prevent the unnecessary destruction of wild life and to encourage the breeding and preservation of wild plants and animals that are use beautiful or rare, by conserving their habitats.  To this end the Trust has acquired (and manages) twelve nature reserves. A descriptive leaflet is available.

The Trust has established Nature Trails in its Black Rock and Longwood reserves (both open to the public) three trails on Exmoor (in conjunction with the Exmoor National Park Committee) and the National Trust, and the Pen Wood Trail near Pendomer, in association with the Forestry Commission.  Twice each year it opens a Nature Trail for primary schoolchildren on Langford Heathfield Common.

The Trust has prepared an ecological map of most of the county to aid the County Planning Department, Rural District Councils and other Local Authorities in mapping planning decisions.  Such information was not previously available.  The Trust has collaborated with the Nature Conservancy advising the Local Authorities on the establishment of Local Nature Reserves in Somerset.

More than 3,250 people have already joined the subscription is £1 to Miss J.R. Taylor, Tanlake Cottage, Buckland, St. Mary Chard, Somerset.

The Ian Dear Memorial Fund

A Message from ‘Sett’ - Chairman of the Ian Dear Memorial Committee.

At this time of the year, when holiday plans are being made, a reminder to younger members about the Ian Dear Memorial Fund might be in order.

Ian Dear, a member of the B.E.C., left money in his will to assist younger members of club to go caving, climbing etc. abroad.  There are a set of basic rules by which grants under the fund can be made to younger members and these have been published in the B.B. some time ago. However, if any member of club is planning a trip abroad or wishing to do so, and feels that he or she might be eligible for assistance under the terms of the fund, any member of the Ian Dear Memorial Fund Committee will be pleased to advise them.  Members of the committee include the Caving Secretary and the Treasurer.  If in any difficulty, contact me direct.  My address is:-

R.A. Setterington, 4 Galmington Lane, TAUNTON, SOMERSET.

Older members who may be planning trips abroad for caving purposes, and who would be willing to include any younger members in their party should also contact members of the I.D.M.F. Committee as well, perhaps, as advertising the trip in the B.B. Members who could benefit from a grant can then be put in touch with people who could include them in a party.

Ian Dear hoped that his gift to the B.E.C. would be instrumental in enabling younger members to visit caving regions which otherwise they might never see.  So far, very few people have availed themselves of the benefit of Ian's bequest to the club.  It would be nice to think that this year, Ian's intentions could be better fulfilled.

Monthly Crossword – Number 46.

Across:

1. Cave like feature like the K & A perhaps?. (1,5)
6. Would a dais in a cave be classed as one of these. (4)
7. Describes the entrance of Fairy Cave. (6)
8. Name of the old B.P.C. headquarters. (4)
9. Colour. (3)
10. Char this cave feature. (4)
13. Caving in a gated cave might be classed as this sort of sport. (6)
14. Cave or football feature. (4)
15. Written up. (6)

Down

2. Dressed for the occasion? (4)
3. Hon. Thrill for Mendip cave. (5,4)
4. Led to great things in G.B. (6,3)
5. A cave construction makes one before caving began. (4)
11. Distinguish G.B. from Cheddar when it comes to gorges. (4)
12. One of these 6 across. (4)

Solution to Last Month’s Crossword

Club Committee

The Belfry, Wells Rd, Priddy, Wells, Somerset. Telephone WELLS 72126

Chairman          S.J. Collins

Minutes Sec      G. Wilton-Jones

Members           M. Bishop, D.J. Irwin, B. Wilton, G. Oaten, N. Taylor, A.R. Thomas

Officers of the Club

Honorary Secretary        A.R THOMAS, Allen’s House, Nine Barrows Lane, Priddy, Wells Somerset. Tel: PRIDDY 269

Honorary Treasurer         B. WILTON, 27 Venus Lane, Clutton, Nr. Bristol.

Caving Secretary            To be appointed,   ADDRESS LETTERS TO THE BELFRY

Climbing Secretary         G. OATEN, Address to follow.

Hut Warden                   N. TAYLOR, Whiddons, Chilcote, Somerset.  Tele : WELLS 72338

Belfry Engineer              M. BISHOP,  Address to follow

Tacklemaster                 G. WILTON-JONES, 17 Monkham’s Drive, Watton, Thetford, Norfolk

B.B. Editor                    S.J. COLLINS, Lavender Cottage, Bishops Sutton, Nr. Bristol. Tel : CHEW MAGNA 2915

Honorary Librarian          D.J IRWIN, Townsend Cottage, Townsend, Priddy, Wells Som.  Tel : PRIDDY 369

Publications Editor         D.J IRWIN  As above

B.B. Postal                   Brenda. WILTON  Address as above

QUODCUMQUE  FACIENDUM : NIMIS  FACIEMUS

Editorial

Lifelines

The recent accident in Lamb Leer unfortunately provides an example of a type of accident which might well have been minimised or even avoided had full life lining techniques been in use.  The fact that the accident occurred to a caver of many years standing on Mendip emphasises the fact that every caver, however experienced or fit, can ‘come off’ for some reason or another, given bad luck.

There is, or course, an understandable tendency for cavers of experience to minimise the use of life lines.  Perhaps the accident will serve to impress on us the need for the grater use of such preventative measures.

Thin End?

The strong possibility that Somerset will require the B.A.C.I. certificate for all leaders under its control from 1976 onwards - and by implication will be rejecting the training scheme adopted and published by the Council of Southern Caving Clubs - could be seen as a first step towards that state of affairs portrayed in the Christmas B.B. last year, in which the fictitious University of Charterhouse made its appearance.  Having said this, it should not be implied that there is anything intrinsically wrong with B.A.C.I.  The point being made is that of restriction of freedom of choice.  In this connection, it is worth noting that the approach of the C.S.C.C. scheme, 'Caving for Beginners' differs considerably from that of B.A.C.I. and that the choice is therefore not one between two certificates as between two methods of approach.  Indeed, there is no reason, in theory as far as can be seen, why a particular caver giving advice and training under the C.S.C.C. scheme could not be a B.A.C.I. certificate holder.  There is, however, a world of difference between a state of affairs in which he MAY hold such a certificate and one in which he MUST.  The C.S.C.C., quite rightly in the editorial opinion of the B.B., place their first priority on experience.  As an older, experienced climber is reputed to have said to a younger man proudly displaying a certificate, "That's all well, but can you abseil from it?"

Round And About

Apart from a small editorial comment in the column itself it seems appropriate to congratulate 'Wig' editorially for reaching his century this month by the production of his hundredth topic under, what has become by now, the familiar heading of Round and About.

Many people have said how useful they have found this feature of general information, and I would like to add my personal thanks coupled with the hope that he may go on for a very long time to come.

“Alfie”

At the Belfry - A Flowery Spiel

An account of some of the happenings at the Belfry in the earlier part of this year - by Nigel Taylor

Spring and nearly, ever so nearly, summer is in the air at the Belfry now.  And with the spring come new flowers and new faces, but nevertheless old shoots and faces have been popping up in and around the Belfry. Chris Falshaw and family, Mike Wheadon, Pat Ifold and family, and many others.

Again, there has been an early showing of perennial hardies, such as Sett and family, Mary and Pete Ham and family and many, many more.

Back in the autumn, Albert Francis was even seen at the Belfry sleeping there for the first time ever! This was due to acute hop poisoning after an excellent N.H.A.S.A. dinner!

Club members actively participating in various digging activities such as Hollowfield and Bucket Hole have been numerous and the club's licensed explosive users have been employed gardening many earthy systems.

The Belfry car park has been re-graded by mysterious loads of quarry stone - connected somehow with an even more mysterious Hut Warden.  The Belfryites have also been working hard on the site, and a night exercise from 9.30 p.m. through to 6.30 a.m. saw the erection of a large M.R.O. store and new Tackle Store facilities.

However, all is not roses at Belfry Avenue.  Problems of rusting tanks arose, and were ably dealt with by Rod Hobbs and Tim Large one weekend recently.  Problems of sewage disposal have also reared up and threatened to drop us all in the fertiliser.  These, too, have (we hope) been overcome.

Due to two accidents in the attic roof, repairs were necessary, and these were efficiently executed by ‘Jock Orr Plastering Industries Ltd.’ In general, members and guests have all mucked in well with the problems and given fair periods of their time.

Belfry regulars include, at present, Andy 'Groper' Nicholls, Zot, Martin Grass and female company, Colin and Angela Dooley, Chris Backstone, John Dukes and 'Streaking for Deakin' Sue from Southampton - and of course your scribe, Mr. Nigel.

On a more serious note. If you or someone is bitten by a snake, immobilise the limb - treat as for fracture - do NOT tourniquet, DO NOT allow victim to move - Do reassure and comfort victim - DO call 999 - DO NOT take victim to Wells.  Ham Green hospital in Bristol is the only one in the vicinity with serum - but it is often not necessary.

Open Letter To the Club

Editor's Note:     This threatens to be a B.B. written entirely by Nigel Taylor!  In this open letter, he has some forthright comments to make on the Long Term plans.

The Long Term Planning Committee have done it again!  Yes, they have produced - not a representative report but another diatribe! They have completely missed the point, or rather the points of necessity.  A detailed account has been drawn up, telling us how more paper talk and ensuing paperwork will be created - and this is capped by a list which is not so much 'Long Term' as short sighted!

Now to the 'winter of my discontent':-

List 1 contains the order of priority of items in groups, and my comments are as under: -

1. Comfort.
   I thought the B.E.C. was a caving club, not a ruddy 5 star listed A.A./R.A.C. hotel.
2. Rubbish storage and Waste Disposal.
   This itself is rubbish, since we now have 4 dustbins and I personally come up midweek if the local farmer cannot undertake the job on the fortnightly dustbin day.  Furthermore, I have recently been pressing the new Mendip District Council to drive up to the Belfry to pick up the bins.
3. Cooking Facilities and Food Storage
   With 8 gas rings and one grill, and one new oven, are they really that bad for a hut which sleeps a maximum of 25?  In any case, the utilisation is usually in the 80% bracket with a fair proportion of the users not even contemplating cooking each and every meal.  As for food storage, what have successive committees done about the lockers?  (First mooted by me over 18 months ago at a November Committee meeting.)

1. Eating.
   How does the sub-committee propose to improve this?.....Aaaaagh…….an answer emerges…… intravenous feeding!
2. Washing up, crockery storage, etc.
   What is up with the shelves and cupboards Norman Petty made?  They open the doors?  Or their eyes?

That has withered away the first 5 ludicrous and apparently highest priority items.  Having scrubbed these erroneous 'priorities' one is then left with something of substance from which one may prepare a sensible list ( if one is to have such a list at all)

1. (No 8) Washing self and Shower Facility.
2. (No 9) Charging Facilities.  Surely this is a vital requisite for a caving hut in these days of frequent digging and caving trips?
3. (No 7) Changing and Drying of clothes.  The need for this is plain for all to see and comprehend.

4.       (No 6) Workshop facility.  For the lifeblood of a caving, climbing - or even canoeing club, a place where tackle, digging gear, tools, canoes or whatever can be made - bearing in mind the communal skills and knowledge - producing a product in a sensible and well-equipped area at the club H.Q.

5.       (No 12) Administration Facility.  In this day and age, when large clubs must need to run their huts on business lines (especially when one is dealing with monies and goods belonging to the club, let alone the £15,000 or so of club hut) the need for proper administration facilities rears its ugly head, let's not play the ostrich!

6.       (No 14) The Loft.  Ideas for improvement to this are often aired down at the Belfry. I refer the reader to the B.B. Number 303. (See, Editor, the B.B. is used for references!)  The club is wasting valuable, utilisable space up there and if it embarks on extraneous expenditure on the sub-committee's proposals then such potential will be wasted due to lack of funds or their allocation.

7.       (No 13) The Library.  Here, only a carpenters skill and club finance are the requisites to transform this 'near shell' into the condition merited by both its content and the valiant efforts of the club librarian Dave (Wig) Irwin.

8.       (No 10) Sleeping Accommodation.  Here there is even less scope for the necessary improvements to be made.  However, I feel that women club members might prefer, or deserve, better feminine conditions, yet, to back track, we must not forget that this is a caving club and basically composed of males (But perhaps I'm just a Chauvinist pig!)

9.       (No 11) Parking.  Even though I realise that soon we can expect club members Range Rovers; Lamborghinis; Daimlers; Rolls and the like will be replaced by perhaps H.S.125's S.A./B.E.C. Concorde’s and an array of resplendent V.S.T.O.L. craft, I feel sure that there are not many of us who would like to see a shiny NICE macadam or LOVELY concrete car park, of course resplendent with DIVINE tints of white or yellow lines.  Besides, I, for one, don't want to have to read the club Car Park Attendant's Report before the next A.G.M. - I will find my own tedious enough!

One last point - I wonder if the sub-committee could be kind enough to tell me why in the May B.B., No 319:-

Three further lists will be compiled:

1.                    First to show order of priority of groups of items.

2.                    Extent of improvements as costings of expense & labour.

3.                    (Last but not least!)  Order of priority of items.

Please, oh PLEASE, what's the difference, between list 1 and 3, or is it to cater for inflation presumably mentioned in the intervening list 2 perhaps?

I know it is easy to knock a subject as I have just done but I hope the reader; the sub-committee and the general committee will appreciate that I have endeavoured to put forward counter-proposals in this letter, and I will also have shown this letter to the sub-committee's chairman Graham Wilton-Jones to give him a chance to challenge any points that I have proposed.  This letter is not under any circumstances to be taken as an attempt to challenge either Graham's views as chairman, nor for that matter to challenge the integrity of the general committee or any of its officers.  This meant purely as a thought-provoking article on points which the editor invited comment!

It may be questioned as to why I did not put these views forward as Hut Warden, well, this was not possible.  The committee, for some reason, decided that the Hut Warden should not have a sub-committee say in the proposals.  I say this in answer to several queries raised to me on this point.  So I must further stress that these are not the B.E.C. Hut Warden's views, but my own - purely as an interested member and regular user of the Belfry.

Yours in the Club Spirit,

Nigel P. Taylor.

Editor's Note:

As Nigel points out, I invited comment, since the way the club decides to spend its money on the Belfry is a subject which should interest most - if not all - B.E.C. members. Perhaps other members might like to make points - if not to the B.B., then to Graham who, I am sure, will be pleased to hear about as many points of view as possible to help him in what is after all, a very difficult job.

Another Reminder about the A.G.M. and Dinner

SATURDAY OCTOBER 5th

A.G.M. starts at 10.30 a.m. at the Belfry.

Dinner will be at the Blue School at WELLS – just down the bottom of Rockham.

FULL DETAILS IN NEXT B.B.!

The Deneholes of Hangman’s Wood

A description of a little-known type of underground feature written by Derek Sanderson and Roger Wing.

The Deneholes are phenomena which may be of interest to cavers - particularly as some of them can still be explored.  Indeed, some members may be familiar with them whilst others may merely have read about them.  They are found in a number of counties in the South East of England and also in parts of France, and one of the main concentrations is in Essex, occurring in the comparatively small area known as Hangman's Wood, Greys.  There is a soft spot in the hearts of the authors for the Deneholes, as they represent an early landmark in their caving careers.

DESCRIPTION. Basically, all Deneholes consist of a single shaft dropping vertically from the surface through the thin topsoil of the region and the underlying Thanet Sand, and terminating in a chamber in the chalk beneath, which may be at a depth of up to eighty feet.  These shafts vary in diameter, but are usually between ten and twelve feet wide and are reminiscent of a well shaft.  The chambers at the bottom vary in shape from simple bell like chambers to more complex chamber patterns.  The Deneholes found at Crayford, Kent are of the simple bell-like variety, whilst those at Stankey are more irregular.  The most common form of chamber is the 'double trefoil' shape as is found at Hangman's Wood.  Originally, there were many shafts at Greys, but now there are only two shafts open (70' ladder required for each).  Below is a network of chambers interconnected by short rabbit-hole-like crawls.  All is dry and mostly horizontal.

AGE.  To establish their age is by no means easy, but one may hazard a guess from various pieces of evidence.  In 1884 and 1887, the Deneholes complex of Greys was fully investigated on behalf of the Essex Field Club by two of its members - T.V. Holmes and W. Cole.  An extensive report was published in which they discussed some of their findings. They found, for instance, pieces of Niedermendig lava which was quarried in the Eifel district of Germany and not imported into this country until the arrival of the Romans.  This, in itself, is of dubious value, though it may add weight to other evidence.

The most useful evidence concerning age comes from the bones found in the deposits that have inevitably settled at the bottom of the shafts.  These include remains of sheep; badger; ox; dog; horse and man.  What is significant is the total absence of red deer and wolf, which were apparently common in the time of the Normans.

One may suggest, then, that the Deneholes were dug soon after the arrival of the Normans, and this seems to be the conclusion arrived at by Baker when he wrote, '…the assumption that they existed in Saxon times will hold no more water than a chalk Denehole would.' (Caving, p102).  They do, however, predate the trees which grow around them.

REASON FOR EXISTENCE. This leads to the engaging problem of why they are there, and several theories have been put forward over the years.

1. The shafts are, in fact, natural.  This is a recent theory.  What has been supposed is that a cavity has been formed in the chalk bed by percolating water in a similar manner to that which occurs in Limestone.  This cavity is formed close to the top of the chalk layer.  The theory goes that eventually the roof of the cavity meets the underside of the layer of Thanet sand above, and this drains through like an egg-timer to leave a cylindrical shaft dropping into a semi-filled chamber in the chalk beneath.
   
   No matter how feasible this theory may seem, it cannot hope to explain the ‘double trefoil’ shape of the chambers.  Add to this the problem of balancing the infill with the volume of the shaft, and the theory loses credibility - regardless of whether such a formation process is at all feasible.
2. An equally implausible view is that they were gold mines.  1705, a Dr. Pert wrote a Natural History of Oxfordshire, in passing, he referred to the Deneholes as 'the gold mine of Cunobeline in Essex.'
3. That they were flint mines.  There are several points against this view.  Firstly, a band of flint can be seen in both the open shafts of Hangman's Wood, but this flint has not been touched.  Secondly, there are no signs of debris either inside or outside the Deneholes, and this would be the first time a flint mine had been cleared up.
4. That they were Roman burial chambers.  Some burial urns were found by a Mr. Neeson, but not in the Deneholes of Hangman's Wood, and both the dating and design of the chambers run against this view.
5. That they were cave dwellings.  Clearly, this is wrong.  Cave dwellings are invariably littered with the remains left by the inhabitants.  No such remains have been found in Hangman's Wood.
6. That they were places of refuge.  According to Baker, this theory seems to have gained weight from the fact that locally, the word 'Denehole' is pronounced 'Danehole' implying a hiding place from the Danes.  However, several commentators, including Baker, have observed that the word is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Denn' which simply means 'Cave' or 'den'.  Also, the nature of the Deneholes themselves suggests that they are the last place that one would wish to use as a refuge.  Once in, it would be an easy matter to become trapped.
7. That they are pitfalls, or some form of animal trap.  Clearly, this is not a feasible theory, as the Deneholes are too elaborate in construction.
8. That they were granaries.  This theory was much favour by Holmes and Cole, and they arrived at this conclusion by drawing an analogy between the Deneholes and other under ground constructions which are definitely silos.  However, where these silos are concerned, there has always been an abundance of evidence as to their use - evidence which the Deneholes have not displayed.
9. That they were chalk mines, either for local marling or for commercial uses.  This theory seems to be the most likely, and was accepted by Baker, though a few questions may still spring to mind.  Firstly, why mine chalk at Hangman's Wood when there is a large outcrop of the rock barely two miles away?  There may be several possible answers to this, such as the cost or inconvenience of transport, or different ownership of the land where the outcrop occurs.  Secondly, why are the chambers shaped the way they are?  Baker attempts to explain the trefoil shape in terms of how far a bucket on the end of a rope will swing from the main shaft, but this is not completely satisfactory.  Rather they are shaped in this way for purposes of structure.  Some of the walls between chambers of one shaft and another are only a matter of feet thick, so they have been dug with a sense of precision.  There is very little evidence of collapse which implies that the diggers knew when to stop digging 'one chamber and start another.  The trefoil shape may be the natural outcome of the maximum removal of chalk with the minimum of risk.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AGE. It may have been noted that the Deneholes at Greys were tentatively dated as post-Norman, while elsewhere Mr. Meeson found some Roman urns suggesting a pre-Norman date.  The conclusion to be drawn from this is that not all Deneholes were dug in the same period and that they were dug when and where necessary.  This would imply that, whatever their purpose was, it was an agricultural or industrial one rather than being the result of an invasion or some other occurrence which can be accurately dated.

ACCESS.  Access is controlled by Thurrock U.D.C. who issues a descent licence for those who are prepared to abide by a number of simple rules and fill in an insurance slip.  Address to write to is: Recreation Manager, Recreation Department, Blackshots Lane, Grays, Essex, RM13 2JU.  There is a lot of serious research still to be done in connection with Deneholes.

References

Caving (E.A. Baker)
Forgotten Thameside (Glyn H. Morgam) 1951.
Deneholes and other Chalk Excavations (Rev. J.W. Haynes)
Journal of Royal Anthropological Institute.39,1909.
Victoria County History of Essex. (G. Gould.)
Essex Field Club Report. (T.V. Holmes & W. Cole) Essex
Naturalist. Vol 1,1887.

Round and About

A Monthly Miscellany, by Wig

28. Hollowfield.  Martin Bishop, Pat Cronin et al. have just about ended their activities at Flowerpot.  Digging at various sites was proving difficult.  A survey, drawn by 'Wig' will appear in Caving Report Number 18, to be published in September.  The cave is about 250 feet long and some 50 feet deep.  An essentially phreatic cave with some later vadose modification in the lower section. Stal. formations are present, the best being located at the top of the 12 foot pothole leading to the low bedding chamber at the far end of the known cave.  Although small, the discovery of this cave focuses attention again to a neglected area.  A sketch plan is shown below:-

29. Jugoslavia.  A note appeared in a recent B.R.C.A, Bulletin stating that the Jugoslavian government has now forbidden foreign cavers from visiting caves in their country.  This applies to all cavers, whether visiting caves by themselves or with Jugoslav nationals.  Show caves are exempted.
30. Ludwell Survey.  On the 10th July, 1974 a party of divers and dry land cavers surveyed Ludwell Cave to B.C.R.A. grade 5 (Sump to Grade 3) and the survey with background notes on recent activities at this site will appear in Caving Report Number 18.  A C.R.G. grade 3 survey appeared in the B.E.C. Caving Report No 9 several years ago.  The dry cave survey was carried out by 'Wig', John (Bath C.G.) and John Hutchinson.  The sump was surveyed by Martin Bishop, Ken James, Neil Rigilani and Pete Eckford.  The outflow of water from the Ludwell sump was merely a trickle, much to the surprise of the divers.
31. Cuthbert’s 21st Anniversary Trip.  Invitations will be going out soon to various cavers to join in the celebrations.  The date, 4th September 1974.  The time, 7.00.p.m. at the Belfry.  Champagne at the Great Gour.  Anyone else interested in making up a second party should contact Kangy King at 22 Parkfield Rank, Pucklechurch, Bristol.  The party leader will be Roy Bennett - one of the first to descend the Entrance Rift in 1953.  Woolies will be the disorder of the day and the route through the cave will be Entrance Rift; Arête; Wire Rift; Waterfall and Wet pitches; Bypass; Stal Pitch, Gour Hall and Duck.  More details later.
32. B.E.C. Rescue List.  The current list is very much out of date, and so Andy Nicholls (Caving Sec.) and Dave Turner (B.E.C. Team Leader) are compiling a new one.  Members wishing to be included in this list should contact either Andy or Dave giving brief details of experience; special knowledge (medical, localities in or out of caves etc.) transport, work and home phone numbers etc. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  Whilst on the subject of rescue lists, two practice rescues are being organised later on this year.  The two sites chosen are the top series of Longwood and the annual Cuthbert’s in November.  Andy and Dave will be organising these events and M.R.O. wardens will be invited to observe the proceedings.
33. Winter Evenings at the Belfry.  Apart from the usual jollities at the Belfry, one or two more serious events will be taking place.  It is hoped to arrange a FIRST AID course with one of the M.R.O. doctors or the Ambulance men.  Dates and times are still to be arranged and details will appear soon in the B. B. - so keep your eyes skinned.  We are hoping to extend invitations to other clubs on Mendip, thus ensuring a full house.  In addition to the course, several sessions of practice tying the M.R.O. carrying sheet will take place at the Belfry on Sunday mornings.  Details will appear in the next B.B.  Arrangements for the more conventional lectures are well under way, and two speakers have so far been fixed to give talks: -

The Pyrenees - Kangy King.           Ballooning over the Alps - Tom Sage

Again, more details later.  Anyone knowing anyone who can give an interesting talk should contact Wig.

34. Sea Caves in North Devon.  Earlier this year, Graham Wilton-Jones and Dave Irwin paid a visit to Saunton Sands and Cronde Bay in North Devon.  Over twenty sites of caving interest were visited and those that could be entered were sketch surveyed.  The caves at Saunton are in sandstone along an unconformity with the underlying vertical beds of shales (Pilton beds.)  The caves at Baggy Point are wholly in the shales and are quite large.  One, Whiting Hole, has not been entered, although local legend says it is of a very considerable length.  A detailed paper, with the surveys, is being published in Caving Report No 18.
35. Inventory.  The committee have at long last decided to produce an inventory of our property - from equipment such as typewriters to digging tools.  This will be presented to the club at the A.G.M. and/or in a future B.B.  Anyone holding any item of club equipment should contact Wig with the details.
36. Annual Dinner and A.G.M.  The A.G.M. is to be held at the Belfry at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday 5th October 1974 and the DINNER will be held in Wells - details of venue, price etc later.  This is a reminder just in case you haven't read the adverts in the B.B!
37. Round and About.  The Editor has slipped this one in unbeknowing to 'Wig' to draw attention to the amount of useful information disseminated in this regular B.B. feature and promises not to interfere again until the next century is reached!
38. Sunday Digging.  Digging has started again in Cuthbert’s in sump I.  If you feel like getting up early and being ready to descend the cave at 9.30 - you're welcome.  Some surveying trips are also arranged.
39. Holidays.  Two parties are away to the continent - one with Martin Bishop, Liz, Dog, Ken James et al. are off to Northern Italy and a second party off to the Pyrenees including Andy Nicholls, John Dukes, Graham W-J etc.  In each party is a possible I.D.M.F. candidate, so look forward to their B.B. contributions that form part of the conditions of grants from the fund.
40. Dinner again.  In addition to the entertainment that is being arranged for after the dinner, a small exhibition is being installed showing some of the latest surveys and publications available.  Also included will be a selection of interesting items recently added to the library - including the St. Cuthbert’s Minery Ledger and the Longbottom Diaries of 1934-1937.  There will also be a publications stand at the A.G.M.
41. Surface Digging.  Vee Swallet is the latest site of interest.  Barry Wilton and others are gently probing this old B.E.C. site.  Last dug in the early '60's by Mo Marriott et al., several interesting flints, arrow heads and axes were uncovered there.  A more detailed account of the dig is to be found in B.E.C. Caving Report No 6.
42. Resolutions.  Members having items which they want discussed in the form of resolutions at the A.G.M. are advised to start thinking about them now - although they can, in fact, be brought up at the start of the A.G. M. itself.  I have had a plea from the minute taker for people PLEASE to write their resolutions on reasonably sized pieces of paper - not on tiny little slivers of paper, which present quite a problem to store afterwards.

Some Reminders.

Martin Bishop would like any member’s ideas on decorating the living room at the Belfry.  Dave Irwin would like to remind library users to return the books promptly after use.  Please remember to SIGN for all tackle – always.  Those interested in long term rent of lockers in the Belfry should let Nigel know.  Barry will accept Bankers Orders for subs, but let him know about it or you might be charged twice.

Monthly Crossword – Number 48

Across:

1. Second letter sprite and short railway make caving H.Q. (6)
6. B.E.C.’s. (4)
7. Heard, perhaps in large chamber. (4)
8. Regains consciousness. (5)
9. ‘Go Straight…’ is motto of U.B.S.S. (2)
10. Thus. (2)
11. Useful caving aid – though not flaming nowadays! (5)
12. Progress slowly and imperially. (4)
13. Has been used as water transport in caves. ( 4 or 2,2)
14. A very Southern Cave club. (3,1.1.1)

Down

2. A helictite could be this, or a club character (9)
3. New Mendip cave is welt proof! (9)
4. Risky Hero?  (Up north perhaps!) (9)
5. Climbs up rope with aid. (9)

Solution to Last Month’s Crossword

Club Committee

The Belfry, Wells Rd, Priddy, Wells, Somerset. Telephone WELLS 72126

Chairman          S.J. Collins

Minutes Sec      G. Wilton-Jones

Members           M. Bishop, D.J. Irwin, B. Wilton, G. Oaten, N. Taylor, A.R. Thomas

Officers of the Club

Honorary Secretary        A.R THOMAS, Allen’s House, Nine Barrows Lane, Priddy, Wells Somerset. Tel: PRIDDY 269

Honorary Treasurer         B. WILTON, 27 Venus Lane, Clutton, Nr. Bristol.

Caving Secretary            A. NICHOLLS, (Acting)

Climbing Secretary         G. OATEN, Address to follow.

Hut Warden                   N. TAYLOR, Whiddons, Chilcote, Somerset.  Tele : WELLS 72338

Belfry Engineer              M. BISHOP,  Address to follow. Tele : PRIDDY 370

Tacklemaster                 G. WILTON-JONES, 17 Monkham’s Drive, Watton, Thetford, Norfolk

B.B. Editor                    S.J. COLLINS, Lavender Cottage, Bishops Sutton, Nr. Bristol. Tel : CHEW MAGNA 2915

Honorary Librarian          D.J IRWIN, Townsend Cottage, Townsend, Priddy, Wells Som.  Tel : PRIDDY 369

Publications Editor         D.J IRWIN  As above

B.B. Postal                   Brenda. WILTON  Address as above

QUODCUMQUE  FACIENDUM : NIMIS  FACIEMUS

Editorial

No Prizes

Back in March, when material for the B.B. was so short that a massive dose of re-printing from Volume 1 of the B. B. was the only way by which the number of pages could be filled, a prize of £1 was offered for the best practical suggestion for improving the B.B.  The closing date was given as the end of May.

Since the B.B. is currently running a month late (due mainly to the chronic shortage of material which the scheme was designed to overcome) your patient editor has waited until the end of June before announcing the results of this suggestion scheme.

Now I know that, in these days of inflation, the sum of £1 does not represent wealth beyond the dreams of avarice although judging by the reaction of members to the increase of the annual subscription, it presumably has not yet fallen into the category of peanuts - but even so, your editor foolishly imagined that it would provide at least, some incentive for the more ingenious club members to come forward with practical schemes for ensuring more material (or other improvements) for the B.B.

Alas!  Apart from Tim's resurrection of the monthly versus bi-monthly B.B. which, whatever its merits, can hardly taken up without the general agreement of the club in A.G.M., there was only ONE other suggestion. This was to publish an annual subject and author index - and the idea was given a suitably practical twist by the suggested submitting a completely cross-referenced index for last year’s B.B. Unfortunately, some years ago, the A.G.M. advised the editor that the inclusion of such an index while useful to a few members would be regarded as a waste of paper by the majority of the club and so I do not feel entitled to go against such advice by adopting the present suggestion.

Thus, before anybody starts to sharpen their pencil and write down resolutions for the next A.G.M., let it be placed on record that, in response to a general appeal to club members for practical ideas for getting more material and otherwise improving the B.B. and in spite of the incentive offered (which would have been paid out by the editor and not from club funds) NOT ONE SINGLE SUGGESTION WHICH COULD BE USED WAS FORTHCOMING.  our editor will therefore soldier on, under the assumption that although he may not be perfect, neither are his readers!

Grateful Thanks

On the brighter side, for the editor at least, have been the letters and personal messages of encouragement which, it must be admitted, came just when he needed some form of morale-boosting.  Thanks, in particular, to Janet Setterington who, before motherhood intervened, was a professional journalist and whose kind words for the B.B. are therefore based on personal experience on a much higher level than that of the B.B. editor.  It is pleasant to think that the work of producing the B.B. is appreciated in some quarters at least.

2,595 Cavers

One of the small points which came out of the last meeting of the Southern Council was the calculation by one of the delegates that the combined membership of Southern caving clubs is 2,595 and that this is greater than the caving membership of any other region. We had better step up our rate of discovery of new caves!

“Alfie”

Notices

The Hut Warden would like to appeal for any FIRST AID KIT for Belfry use.  This is separate from M.R.O. kit, and is to cover minor injuries at the Belfry.  Also donations of OLD CARPETS would be appreciated.  Contact Nigel Taylor.

The Belfry Engineer would like any suggestions for the decoration of the living room. Please contact Martin Bishop with any ideas on this subject.

The Treasurer would like to remind members that they can pay their annual sub, if they so wish, by Bankers' Order.  This saves you having to remember every year!  However, if you do this LET BARRY KNOW, as he gets no record of who is doing this, and will charge you again!  The best way is to get a Banker’s Order form from your bank, sign it and enter the amount of your annual sub AND GIVE IT TO BARRY.  He will then make a record of your Banker’s Order and send it on to the bank for you.

The Caving Secretary would like to remind members to enter up all trips in the log.  Apart from it being one of the club rules, it provides an interesting and sometimes useful record for the future.

The Climbing Secretary would like to remind members that there is climbing every Thursday in the Gorge.  Meet at the gorge at 7.00 p.m. and afterwards at the Seven Stars.

The I.D.M.F. Committee would like to remind all younger members that assistance from this fund may be possible for trips abroad this summer.  Contact either the caving or climbing secretaries, the treasurer, Mike Palmer or 'Sett'.

Lockers will shortly be constructed at the Belfry.  Some of these will be for long term hire and others kept for weekend hire.  Anybody who wants to be considered for the long term hire of a locker should give his or her name to Nigel Taylor.

Cave Grading For Severity

This article, by Mike Cowlishaw, first came out in 'Omnibuss' the Journal of the Birmingham University S.S.   It discusses the grading of caves from the point of view of severity.

The present methods of cave grading consist of very broad categories - either descriptions such as 'Super Severe' or numerical grades as used in Northern Caves Vol 1.  These systems, although generally agreed to be adequate as far as they go, are basically subjective and in many cases convey little information to the user. In addition, complex caves are not usually of consistent standard, and attempts to classify separate series under general headings can be very misleading when complicated trips including several sections of a cave are made.

Many of these disadvantages can be overcome by using a 'piece by piece' system of grading whereby a numerical figure is attached to each major section of a cave in such a way that some simple mathematical operation can be used to combine these to give a meaningful result for a given trip.

A further necessary refinement is to ensure that an objective, or mainly objective method is used to grade each section of cave (i.e., that several people grading the same section of cave under similar conditions will arrive at the same score within, say, five percent.)  There are, of course, many practical difficulties in achieving this, and these I shall discuss in due course.  The main problem, perhaps, is allowing for high and low water conditions.

The comments above mainly concern the sporting side of caving.  A truly objective system of severity grading such as had been outlined would be by nature informative, and hence would be useful in many more general and scientific fields.  Besides, people love to play around with figures, and the system would allow direct comparison of caving trips.  On the other hand, it is unlikely that a system simple enough to be used by the 'average' caver would have much application in that other important field - rescue - except perhaps where a cave is unknown to the rescue team; and this is rarely the case in this country.

A generally accepted detailed grading scheme would be of especial use if printed on surveys. Surveys at present give little indication of the general severity of a passage except where they show major obstacles. A suitably orientated system of scores associated directly with each section of the cave on the survey would almost completely obviate the need to refer to a separate write up.  Only short notes on access would then be required and these could well he referred to on the survey.

There are, of course, difficulties to the proposed system other than the practical difficulties of implementation.  A major one is that anything such as has been described (even if it eventually boils down to a couple of numbers associated with a given cave) is a further and possibly detrimental increase in what might be called the technological aspects of caving. An added complication can often be harmful in that the figures can be misunderstood or even misprinted with undesirable results.  Furthermore, there is the problem of a basic standard method - a controversial subject. Presumably, for a start, obstacles could be related to time.  For example, descending a given fifteen foot pitch might be equated to a quarter of an hour of sitting around        doing nothing.

Probably the best method of achieving an objective grading of a given cave/trip/series/passage is to use a set questionnaire which, although not restricting the grader to 'yes/no' answers, puts fairly rigid restraints on the scores that cane be given for a specific obstacle.  This is, of course, necessary in order to maintain the desired level of objectivity. Everyone has experienced the way in which some trips seem much easier in retrospect, when, perhaps, early difficult or strenuous sections have been partly forgotten.

Leaving aside the tricky question of relative values of different types of obstacle or passage, there are some fundamental problems; in particular, how to allow for the effects of things that might vary from trip to trip.  These include Water conditions (i.e. normal fluctuations of water in the cave) Transient Hazards (flash floods; loose boulders; rotten props in mines etc.)  Size and equipment of different parties and the relative ability of the party with particular reference to novices.

After a great deal of thought and experimentation, it was found that a single grading score could not be manipulated to allow for all these different aspects.  An analysis shows that three or four scores are required for an approximately ideal representation.  This is too complicated for the applications discussed above, and a compromise solution of two scores was investigated.  This was found to be a great improvement on reliance on a single score.  The two figures would represent:-

(a)     General obstacles and the effect of time.

(b)     Water and transient hazards.  A sort of 'exposure risk' figure.

It became clear that variations in the size of parties could be catered for by carrying out some standard type of adjustment to score (a).  Similarly, the effect of wearing dry kit in a wet cave could be allowed for by manipulating score (b).  The effect of novices in the party could be calculated by adjusting both scores.

It should thus be possible to start off with a pair scores based on a party of four, wearing wetsuits, and then adjust these scores to provide one with a revised figure, if, for instance, the party was about to descend a wet cave in dry kit.  The complications to this basic idea are, of course, endless and should be kept to a minimum.  Even if this sort of exercise is not indulged in, the basic scores would enable direct comparison to be made over widely differing sections of cave.

As a side issue, and extremely graphical method of displaying the two scores is to plot one against the other on a sheet of graph paper.  In cases where I have tried it is for various trips, it was found to be very informative and showed at a glance the relative importance of the two scores. The distance from the origin was found to be analogous to the conventional idea of cave grading.

The above has pointed out the main features of the grading system I have devised - I hope with sufficient justification for each of its features.  I shall now summarise the above and make some comments on practical details.

A questionnaire would be devised for scoring.  It should be equally applicable to short lengths of passage and to complete caves or trips.  In particular, scoring the constituent parts and adding up the individual totals should give nearly identical results to scoring the trip as a whole.

The questionnaire would be divided into two parts.  The first - general, technical and other difficulties.  The second - water and transient hazards.  The scores from these two parts would be the final basic scores for general use.

The first part (obstacles) would be scored fairly rigorously.  For example, 3 points for each 100' of flat out crawl; 1 point for each quarter hour underground etc.  The problems here include definitions of severities of climbs etc. and the assumptions one has to make such as the use of lifelines etc.  Single rope techniques would not be adequately catered for - one would probably have to assume that prussiking up a pitch would score the same as using a ladder.  The movement of tackle would be allowed for in the scoring for a pitch. The actual form of each question in the questionnaire, and the relative scoring of each type of obstacle would be matters heeding a fair amount of discussion.  I have arrived at a form of questionnaire which gives reasonable results (with some surprises!) but which has got vast potential for improvement.

The second part would be more difficult to prepare a questionnaire for.  Water obstacles such as ducks or sumps and the time one is wet can be scored in the same way as dry obstacles, but transient effects are more difficult and usually require better knowledge of a cave than can be picked up in one trip. Every effort would have to be made to try to make the scoring objective despite the problems.  It might be possible to estimate flood risk by taking into the probable number of flash floods in a year and also allowing for the danger of such floods.  For example, Little Neath River Cave II is fairly safe, whereas many northern caves can be extremely dangerous.

Other points which would be taken into account are loose boulders and complexity of the cave where this could cause a hazard due to a mistake in route finding.

I hope the above is reasonably clear.  To round off and give the feel of a bi-polar grading system, here are some scores that I have calculated using my rather primitive questionnaire:-

Notes: The first column relates to obstacles and the second to water and transient hazards.  One of the above was scored from a guidebook description (R.R.).  A couple of the others were scored by friends, with nearly identical results.

Tackle – 1974

A review of the tackle situation as in April 1974 by the tacklemaster, Graham Wilton-Jones.

These first six months of my position as Tacklemaster have mainly been spent in organising all the tackle and collecting it on to Mendip and rebuilding much worn out ladder.

At present, as a temporary measure, Alan Thomas very kindly looks after all the ultra-lightweight ladder and certain tethers, lifelines etc.  These are collectively known as Reserve Tackle and are not for general use on Mendip, being usually loaned out for trips to foreign parts like Yorkshire or the Pyrenees.  Frequent use of this tackle by many cavers would soon damage it.  I see no reason, however, for it not being used in, say, Primrose Pot or Rhino Rift.

Even if only for the sake of courtesy, give Alan a ring at least a week before you want any reserve tackle.  You will also ensure in this way that it actually available.

Hopefully, this situation will not last for long.  I want to convert the old Tackle store in the stone Belfry into the new Reserve Store. Keys for this will be available from various sources on Mendip.

Nigel has extended the M.R.O. store at the other end of the building.  The remaining space will be used as the normal Tackle Store, containing all other equipment.  Many thanks to people who are helping with this conversion.  The bars across the windows, by the way, are NOT a new test for thin cavers - Bucket please note!

So far, two hundred and ten feet of ladder has been repaired - thanks again to those who helped.  Ken James has offered to get ferrules crimped on the ladder eyes.  Some hundred and fifty feet remains to be repaired and I'll be doing this during the weekend of the working party.

We could do with many more tethers.  These are dead easy to make up, but I'll need a lot more 'c' links.  If anyone can get some or make some, I'd be grateful.  If anyone has access to a set of dies for stamping the code tags, please let me know.  The lifeline situation is bad, and we are seriously short.  This is being rectified now, so don't fret.

I have no intentions of buying any abseiling or prussicking equipment, which includes rope, for club use. I, for one, would have no confidence at all in using S.R.T. (Single Rope Techniques) on tackle used by anybody and everybody.  If anyone has really strong views on this, then perhaps they would write to the B.B. about them.

Finally, please remember to sign tackle in and out.  If it does nothing else, it gives me an idea how much any item is being used.  If you find any faults, please note them in the tackle log, even if it is only a missing tag.

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There is always room in the B.B. for small contributions to fill up spaces like this one!

Comments, advertisements – anything within reason.

There is always a B.B. box in the Belfry.

Letters To The Editor

4 Galmington Lane
Taunton
Somerset

Dear Alfie,

Although I am not a member of the Bristol Exploration Club, I felt I must write in opposition to the critics of the Belfry Bulletin.

Caving and its allied pursuits are not top of my list of priorities, but I do enjoy reading your publication.  Speaking professionally, I feel it is well edited, well laid out and informative. More to the point, it is not too highbrow for ignoramuses such as myself, who are not versed in technicalities.

The magazine would seem to suffer from only one problem - the eternal lack of contributors. Perhaps, if the bar-room critics put down their pints and picked up their pens, the B.B. might be even more lively and successful; but that is probably asking too much of people - writing does, after all, require mental and physical effort!

Thank you, Alfie, for the interest and enjoyment you bring to my house on "B.B. mornings" - you will always find yourself propping up our marmalade jar.

Yours,
Janet Setterington.

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Withey House,
Withey Close West,
Bristol 9.

Dear Alfie,

It's always nice to see the Belfry Bulletin and I don't really know what people are grumbling at (No 319).  You don't need to worry about being quoted or not, as long as due acknowledgement is made. It has occurred to me that you might try selling it outside the club.  Perhaps you already do so.  I should have thought it would have gone quite well at 10p post free.  Wig's notes are particularly the kind of thing to interest non club members.

Incidentally, I thought Wig's comment on the Wookey 9 tunnel faintly and unfairly damning.  The Kilmersdon miners have driven a magnificent tunnel from the outside to 3 by way of 9 and 7.  In their calculations - aided by Stanton's survey - they were only two metres out. The tunnel is just over two metres in diameter and beautifully made.  I've only seen the far end of it, but the other day I went there and made my quickest trip to 9 ever.  There is a hole leading into 7 with water about twenty feet below while the hole into 9 at about the same height leads down into the mud bank immediately opposite the 9:2 pool.  Unfortunately, 9 is getting a bit messed up, but not irreversibly.  They have put iron ladders over the 9:1 pool, giving access to the high level extensions which lead back to 5.  These are lashed in place with a line belonging to one of our members, which is a pity as we can't now return it to him!  They have run into a spot of trouble by entering the far end of the Charon's Chamber rift.  This leaves them with an unstable boulder ruckle poised above their heads.  They are still busy making this part of the tunnel safe.

The people who made this tunnel will call it the Kilmersdon Tunnel - and I hope the name sticks.  It is a fitting tribute to the best of our Somerset colliers.

Ever Yours,
Oliver Lloyd.

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Whiddons Farm,
Chilcote,
Somerset.

Dear Alfie,

I thought I'd fully endorse Tim’s comment on the quality of the B.B., but I leaped out of my seat at his idea of a bi-monthly B.B.

Any caver who subscribes to Bruce Bedford's excellent little magazine 'Descent' will know just what a 'little period of two months' is like to wait for a mag.

How many times have we heard the same old story "We haven't had our B.B., so we didn't know it was on!?  Tim himself, in his letter, says, "Having just received my B.B. for March, together with the April issue, I HAVE ONLY JUST SEEN YOUR REQUEST TO WRITE ... "

Nough said ?
Nigel Taylor.

Make a Note of The Annual Dinner

SATURDAY OCTOBER 5th

·        NEW location in WELLS!

·        REAL FOOD by outside caterers

·        Entertainment in the B.E.C. Manner!

·        DRINKS supplied by ROGER DORS and his incredible mobile Hunters!

·        FURTHER INFORMATION SOON!

And

Why not come to the A.G.M. as well – at the Belfry on the same day?

Round and About

A Monthly Miscellany

By 'Wig'

28. Charterhouse Permits.  In paragraph 69 (March '74) the second sentence reads, 'No permits are issued to members' It should, of course, read 'No period permits are issued permits to non-members and no permits can be issued to married minors.'
29. O.F.D.  Entry via the top entrance is being restricted somewhat.  A written request to the Hon. Sec. of the South Wales C.C. must first be made, who will then send a letter giving permission.  This letter must be shown to the Duty Warden at the cottage before he will issue a key.  The S.W.C.C. is concerned about the amount of damage in the system, and so are attempting to keep records of all parties entering the cave.
30. Stoke Lane Slocker.  The cave has now been gated.  The key is available from the farmer (returnable deposit £1.00) 5p per head is charged for the descent.  Access to the cave is via the top road.
31. Sandford Levvy and Mangle Hole.  Neither cave is blocked.  The landowner is still a little sore over the attitude of cavers, and would really like to seal both caves.  However, provided that the caves are approached from the east (over the hill) and that cavers do not change in front of the residents, then all should be well.
32. Manor Farm.  The farmer has decided to charge 10p per head for descent of the cave.
33. Carbide Lamp Spares.  The following lamp spares are now available at the Belfry.  Complete carbide lamps £2.80; Jets 8p; Prickers 15p; Sealing ring 6p; Flint assembly 25p; Felt pad 8p; Flints 12p; 2⅝" diameter reflector 26p; 4" diameter reflector 36p; other lamps and spares can be supplied.  Details from Tim Large c/o The Belfry.  Spare parts for various electric cells are underway.  Tim also has some battery operated lifejacket lights which can be used as emergency lights.
34. 21st Anniversary of the Discovery of St. Cuthbert’s.  This is Wednesday, 4th September 1974.  On this date in 1953, Roy Bennett and Viv Brown made the first descent of the Entrance Rift and explored to the head, of Arête Pitch.  The next trip was on the 20th of September, when the entrance rift was opened enough to allow all but two of those concerned with the dig to descend.

Kangy King is arranging the programme, and is inviting as many of the original explorers to attend a club meet that will celebrate the coming of age of the cave.  The party will descend the cave via the old route - wet & waterfall pitches; water shute; by-pass; Stal Pitch & on to the end of Gour Rift.  Members of the celebration party will be by invitation only. The party will be made up of individuals who have contributed to the exploration of the cave in some way.  Champagne will be served at the Great Gour.

Cavers interested in joining in the celebrations are invited to contact Kangy, who will form a second party to enter the cave after the celebration party.

35. Additions to the Library. Several items have been added to the library, including items from S.M.C.C., A.C.G., Grampian.  Climbing magazines have been donated by Tim Large and Chris Howell.  Also items from Egons, Sottoterra etc. have been received.
36. Fairy Cave Quarry.  B.E.C. leaders are Nigel Taylor Mike Palmer.  Requests for trips to the various caves in the quarry should be arranged through Nig or Mike.
37. Caving Reports.  A small but important change will take place in the future.  All reports issued, from No 1 to No 17 have been single subject material.  Number 18, which makes its appearance later in the year, will consist of several topics of interest to cavers.  Its contents will include Flower Pot, Hollowfield; Ludwell Cave - details of a new underwater passage and a complete survey of the cave, and the sea caves of Saunton Sands and Baggy Point.

Whilst on the subject of caving reports, Nos 16 and 17 (Vanishing Grottoes and the Burrington Atlas) are now almost out of print.  Members not having either of these publications, but who wish to purchase them are advised to do so soon.  They, and the others, are available from Chris Howell, 131 Sandon Road, Edgbaston Birmingham.  Chris also stocks back numbers of the Belfry Bulletin.  These are available at prices from 5p to 20p each.  Write your wants to Chris.

38. Additions to the Library.  Grampian S.G. Bulletin Vol 5/4 and 5/5.  Index to Bulletins Vols 1 to 5.  Wessex Journals numbers 151,152,153.  Miscellaneous publications; Computers in Water Resources Management, I.B.M. publication.  Regionalisation and hydro-geological parameters for use in mathematical models of groundwater flow, Spelaeo Rahl Newsletter, Aug. Sep. Nov 1973.  Egons Journal numbers 15,16, 17, 19, 20.  B.C.R.A. Bulletins numbers 1 to 4 (1974) Transactions Volume 1 number 1.  M.C.G. Newsletter number 106.  Microclimatology of caves ( Lawrence) and Advances in Spelaeometeorology (Lawrence) both donated by N. Taylor.  Omnibuss 5. Devon S.S. newsletter number 114 Bibliography on Lava tube caves Pelobates - Croydon C.C. number 24.  Cerberus newsletter 19, 20, 21, 22, 34, 35, 36 thanks to Nick Chipchase.  BACI 1eadership qualifications.  N.C.A .Caving Code. C.S.S. newsletter Vol 16 No 6.  Plymouth Newsletter Numbers 54, 55, 56 and Red Rose C.P.C.  Newsletter Vol 11 No 1.

Up The Creek

Many club members take part in activities on, in or underwater.  This forms the flimsy excuse for this write up by the editor. It also illustrates the fact that members can write on holiday activities in the B.B.!

In June, two units of the Mendip Navy took part in summer manoeuvres on the Salcombe Estuary.  They were captained by Steve Causer and Alfie.

Alfie arrived first, and was promptly conned into paying not only his Harbour Dues, but a vast sum for the use of the car and boat park at Batson.  Steve craftily launches his boat from the roof of his car.  We hasten to add that he first puts it to the ground, although we would not be at all surprised to learn that he has attempted a direct catapult launch straight from the car roof into the water.  Anyway, by this means, he manages to avoid parting with much cash, thus saving it for drinking.

The first part of the manoeuvres consisted of the boats making their independent way to Southpool, at the end of the creek of that name, where Alfie was assured by Steve that there was a pub and where Steve was assured by Alfie that there would be sufficient water in the creek to coincide with opening hours.  Accordingly, at the appoint time, Alfie's boat made its way steadily up the creek in shallower and shallower water.  A local inhabitant, hailed from the boat, assured the worried crew that they would get no further up the creek that day, and expressed surprise and concern at the distance from the sea they already were, the opinion of the Local Inhabitant, the sooner the boat was turned round, the better for all concerned. This was done, and punting gave way to rowing and rowing to running with the engine lowered.

By a brilliant piece of navigation, Steve was located on a beach near the mouth of the estuary, where he and his family were basking in the sun.  It turned out that in true Mendip fashion, he had had to abandon the trip up the creek owing to engine trouble, and had rowed over to this beach instead.  The return trip was made in line astern with no trouble.

It was agreed that two things had been learned.  One being that the tides in this estuary do not conform to any of the charts, but are a secret shared by the Harbourmaster at Salcombe and the Almighty.  The other lesson was that, for some inexplicable reason, opening hours of waterside pubs are not adjusted to suit the tide - a piece of sloppy organisation that caused us much worry and careful planning in subsequent voyages.

A day or so later, Steve left the moorings in about two inches of water (owing, as explained to the need to match opening hours with the tide) and I left a little later in about three inches of water to pick up my passengers at the town pontoon with the object of returning to the beach and basking in the sunshine.

Having just left the town behind, we were surprised to see frantic waving from a point on the shore, towards which we altered course.  It turned out that Steve's unerring instinct had led him to a waterside pub. Unfortunately, the steps were used by the ferries, which came zooming in with complete disregard for any other boats and only just gave you time to land passengers. The only place in which Steve could tie me up meant that I had to clamber from boat to boat on my way ashore, to the intense interest of the next load of ferry passengers, who waited with baited breath for me to fall into the water.  I considered obliging them, but eventually decided against it.

We tried an interesting variant on our way back from the beach that day, in which I towed Steve's boat. Since the only point of attachment was one of my rowlocks, both boats progressed with a curious zig-zag motion which may have been interesting to watch but was uncomfortable to be in.  On the way back, you go through a line of standing waves.  I happened, of course, to be looking aft when we hit them which all added to the general fun.

The summer manoeuvres were voted a success - which meant that neither of us actually sank or rammed the harbourmaster’s launch!

Monthly Crossword – Number 47

Across:

1. All stew locates most Mendip caves. (7)
6. Receiver of proof of aural connection in cave? (3)
7. Holy man plus packets of paper gives some features of caves. (7)
9. Loosen. (4)
10. Can be mud; sand; stal &c, in a cave. (4)
12. Older caving types had an accident? (7)
14. Sticky stuff, commonly. (3)
15. Boots to this to cave floor, and well may have it as well. (5,2)

Down

2. Cuthbert’s pitch. (3)
3. Sail backwards to the rock? (4)
4. Making sure of tackle. (7)
5. Progressed through low cave. (7)
7. Type of machine found underground on Mendip. (7)
8. Drops to a Mendip cave. (4,3)
11. Beware of this hole, educated men! (4)
13. Returning time in brief.  (1,1,1)

Solution to Last Month’s Crossword

Club Committee

The Belfry, Wells Rd, Priddy, Wells, Somerset. Telephone WELLS 72126

Chairman          S.J. Collins

Minutes Sec      G. Wilton-Jones

Members           M. Bishop, D.J. Irwin, B. Wilton, G. Oaten, N. Taylor, A.R. Thomas

Officers of the Club

Honorary Secretary        A.R THOMAS, Allen’s House, Nine Barrows Lane, Priddy, Wells Somerset. Tel: PRIDDY 269

Honorary Treasurer         B. WILTON, 27 Venus Lane, Clutton, Nr. Bristol.

Caving Secretary            A. NICHOLLS, (Acting)

Climbing Secretary         G. OATEN, Address to follow.

Hut Warden                   N. TAYLOR, Whiddons, Chilcote, Somerset.  Tele : WELLS 72338

Belfry Engineer              M. BISHOP,  Address to follow. Tele : PRIDDY 370

Tacklemaster                 G. WILTON-JONES, 17 Monkham’s Drive, Watton, Thetford, Norfolk

B.B. Editor                    S.J. COLLINS, Lavender Cottage, Bishops Sutton, Nr. Bristol. Tel : CHEW MAGNA 2915

Honorary Librarian          D.J IRWIN, Townsend Cottage, Townsend, Priddy, Wells Som.  Tel : PRIDDY 369

Publications Editor         D.J IRWIN  As above

B.B. Postal                   Brenda. WILTON  Address as above

Any views expressed by any contributor to the Belfry Bulletin, including those of officers of the club, do not necessarily coincide with those of the editor or the committee of the Bristol Exploration Club, unless stated as being the view of the committee or editor.

Club Headquarters

‘The Belfry’, Wells Rd., Priddy, Wells, Somerset.  Tele: WELLS 72126

Club Committee

Chairman:         S.J. Collins
Minutes Sec:     R. Bennett
Members:          R. Bagshaw; D.J. Irwin; M.J. Palmer; N. Jago; T.E. Large; A.R. Thomas; R. Orr, N. Taylor, B. Wilton, M. Bishop

Officers Of The Club

Hon. Secretary: A.R. THOMAS, Allen’s House, Nine Barrows Lane, Priddy, Wells, Somerset. Tel: PRIDDY 269.
Hon. Treasurer:  R.J. BAGSHAW, 699 Wells Road, Knowle, Bristol 4.  Tel: WHITCHURCH. 5626.
Asst. Treas.      B. WILTON, 27 bVenus Lane, Clutton, Nr. Bristol.
Caving Sec:       T.E. LARGE, 39 Seymour Ave, Bishopston, Bristol.
Climbing Sec:    N. Jago, 27 Quantock Rd, Windmill Hill, Bedminster, Bristol 3.
Hut Warden:      R. ORR.  ‘The Belfry’, as above.
Assit H.W.        N. TAYLOR, Whiddon, Chilcote, Somerset.  Tel. WELLS 72338.
Hut Engineer:    M. BISHOP, (Acting)  Address to follow..
Tacklemaster:    M.A PALMER. 27 Roman Way, Paulton, BS18 5XB
B.B. Editor:       S.J. COLLINS, Lavender Cottage, Bishop Sutton, Nr. Bristol.
Librarian:           D.J. IRWIN, Townsend Cottage, Priddy, Wells, Somerset.  Tel: PRIDDY 369.
Pbs. (Sales)      C, Howell, 131 Sandon Rd., Edgbaston, Birminham.
Publications:     D.J. IRWIN.  Address as above
B.B. Post:         Mrs. K. Mansfield, Tiny Kott, Little London, Oakhill, Bath, Somerset.

MENDIP RESCUE ORGANISATION.  In case of emergency telephone WELLS 73481

Editorial

Hon. Treas.

Most older members, if asked to name the person who has held a particular office for the longest time in the history of the B.E.C. might well recall our founder, Harry Stanbury who held the posts of Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer from the inception of the club in 1935 until he retired from the committee in 1951.

This spell of sixteen years has, however, easily been beaten by his successor Bob Bagshaw, who has been Treasurer ever since and who retires at this forthcoming A.G.M. after staying the course for no less than twenty three years.

Whilst it is true of many of the jobs necessary for the running of a club such as ours, that a constant supply of fresh faces does nothing but good; there are some jobs where a degree of stability and experience breeds confidence and this is, perhaps, particularly true where finance is concerned.  The calm and unflustered way by which Bob produced £3,000 out of the hat in what must be record time for a club such as ours in order to finance the building of he present Belfry must surely be the highlight of his long term of office, which started before many of the younger members of the B.E.C. were born.

We wish his successor a literally prosperous career as the third holder of this office in the 39 years of the B.E.C.'s existence (He should, of course, last us until 1996!) and hope that Bob will continue to take a lively interest in the club whose fortunes he has guided for so long a time.

Better Bought Than Taught

We note from the Sunday Times of July 22nd, that the army are to hold an enquiry into the death of a 15 year old boy soldier in Porth yr Ogof.  This incident, according to the newspaper already mentioned, has produced a 'sharp reaction' both from the South Wales Caving Club and the Cambrian Caving Council.

The use of caves by the army for physical training has long been deplored by many cavers.  In my own case, I well remember a conversation with a terrified lad one Friday the Hunters who was dreading his forthcoming visit to Swildons the next day, but daren't refuse to go because the penalties he would incur.  This sort of thing is emphatically NOT what caving is all about, and one can only hope that it no longer exists.

The leaders on the ill-fated trip into Porth yr Ogof were both army sergeant-instructors who - again to quote the newspaper - 'were qualified cavers and only this May attended the scout caving course at Whernside in Yorkshire.'

It is tragic that Ian Calder's words describing caving certificates as 'a certificate which neither ensures accident-free trips nor an educational approach to caving' should be so rapidly endorsed by events.  Whilst there is nothing actually against the running of courses and the granting of certificates; it must always be realised that the only real qualification is experience and one should talk of an experienced caver rather than a qualified caver.  I would sooner be in a nasty situation underground with a caver who had years of experience behind him than with one who had just completed a course on caving - however good that course might have been.  Whether the leaders were in fact, experienced as well as 'qualified' was not stated in the newspaper account.

By all means let organisations who have vested interests in the physical fitness of their members encourage them - if they will - to go caving: but let these bodies get their members to go where the experience is with the country's caving clubs.

“Alfie”

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In view of the success of the 'Old Men's Weekend' this year, "Sett" is thinking of holding one next year about may time, maybe on similar lines to the last one, or perhaps in some other form according to people's wishes.

Notices

The Committee would like to thank Buckett Tilbury for his gift of additional storage heaters for the Belfry.

Members going abroad may like to know that if they get a form E111 filled in and attached to their passports, this will give them the same medical treatment facilities as, are received by natives of the E.E.C. countries they may be visiting.  It still pays to check just what these are however, because medical treatment is not always free.

The Hon. Librarian appeals to members who have returned books, periodicals etc. NOT TO FILE THEM BACK into the library system, but to leave them on the library table.  This will prevent them being mis-filed.

The Hon. Secretary is appealing for NOMINATIONS for the 1973-1974 Committee.  These must reach him IN WRITING by the 8th of September at 10.30 a.m.  No seconder is required but the permission of the person or persons nominated must have been obtained and they must have agreed to stand if elected.  The paper nominating them MUST SAY that this is the case.

The Committee wish to announce that they have co-opted to fill the vacancy of Belfry Engineer.

Members are asked by the local council NOT to park cars on Priddy Green if visiting Swildons.  Cars should be parked on the UPPER GREEN (by the church) and for short stays on the SIDE VERGES of the lower green NOT on the central area of the green.

The committee wish to announce that, in accordance with the instructions given to them by the last A.G.M., they propose a change to the constitution; "That the word 'ratified' be inserted before the word 'members' in clause 5 of the constitution".  This is the appropriate notice required by the constitution to be published so that, if the A.G.M. agree, the constitution can be changed at the forthcoming A.G.M.

Club Officers' Reports - 1973 - Caving Secretary's Report.

N.B. All officers reports published this year in the B. B. have been approved by the Committee.

This year has seen much caving activity both on Mendip further a field - especially South Wales and Yorkshire.  Also a small group of members have done original work in exploring and surveying some caves on the Western coast of Scotland.  Four members have joined caving teams in the Pyrenees who are exploring the Pierre St. Martin.

As usual, nearly every nook and cranny on Mendip has been visited by someone.  Digging has taken up a considerable amount of members' time with work progressing in Cuthbert’s, Manor Farm Swallet, Cuckoo Cleeves, Avelines, etc.  Hunters Hole has been attacked spasmodically but has not yet yielded to the methods used so far.  Rookery Farm Swallet was also dug during the year, but was abandoned when the bottom of the entrance shaft fell in.  Bucket Hole, which has not been dug for over a year now, is to be filled in.

On the surveying side, work has continued in Cuthbert’s and in Burrington caves, both being almost completed.  This year, St. Cuthbert’s has seen a drop in the number of tourist trips, but a rise in the number of prospective leaders who have completed the Leaders' Trips.

Much appreciated help was given by Roy Bennett who organised all the club trips to Yorkshire and South Wales.  These were well attended and plenty of enjoyable caving was done - some in company with the Bradford Pothole Club.

May I take this opportunity to wish next year's Caving Secretary the best of luck?

Tim Large.

Club Officers' Reports - 1973 - B.B. Editor's Report.

This has been a year of no major change to the B.B.  The club's journal has been stabilised for two years now at a normal issue of 24 pages of A5 per month.  During the first half of 1973, the B.B. has been running over a month late, but hopefully will have caught up by the time of the A.G.M.

There is no doubt in my mind, after handling journals of some other clubs, that we made the right metric choice in going to A5.  I am also convinced that centre stapling and the stiff cover to Barry Wilton's distinctive and eye-catching design were, again, good choices.  The B.B., like many other club journals, has had a number of changes of cover and of format over the years and I think we would do well to keep the present arrangements for some time to come; now we have good ones.

Various polls taken over the years - the last one being at the last A.G.M. - have shown a remarkable consistency in the wishes of club members for retaining a monthly journal and, again, I think we should now consider this subject closed - at least for a good time ahead.

On contents there is little to say.  As always, one prints more or less what one receives.  The only difficulty lies in the choice between printing long articles of specialist interest only, or trying to produce enough of more general interest without them.  I have tried to apply the principle of striking a balance between appeal to the average reader the one hand, and the club image as reflected in the B.B. the other.

An attempt to run regular features ('Just a Sec'; 'At the Belfry', etc.) has not proved very successful and these and other serial articles have fallen by the wayside.  I have kept the crossword going because a few people do it and others consider it a unique feature of a caving magazine.

In judging the B.B. over the year, it should be looked at the general context of journals of a similar type. This I have endeavoured to do throughout the year and find that the B.B. seems to be keeping its end up.  Problems of finding enough suitable material and of expanse do not seem to be confined to the B.B.

Within these limits, the only improvement that is being actively pursued is that of using the Xerox copy on to paper master process for the production of more professional looking headings etc.  The really big improvement would, of course, be to type the B.B. on an I.B.M. golf ball typewriter - but this will have to wait until we find someone who has not only the facilities but the time and the will to do it, or until either the club or myself can afford to buy one.

I should like to conclude by thanking all those who have contributed towards the B.B. in any way, without whose support we should not have a club magazine.  It may be unfashionable to name names, but out thanks should go, amongst many others, to Kay Mansfield, who sends out the B.B. with the usual Mansfield family efficiency but who is unfortunately retiring from this job; to Barry Wilton who has been organising a local delivery service and who is always available to help in any way; and to Kangy King our most regular contributor over the ages, now joined by his young son.  Perhaps when I am an old man, Jonathan might be sending me my B.B. from Toulouse.

Annual Dinner

This will be held at the WOOKEY HOLE CAVE RESTAURANT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6th at 7.30 for 8 p.m.

Price per person is £1.65. Send your money to Bob Bagshaw (For the last time!) and make sure of your place at the B.E.C. Dinner.

Sutherland

An account by Graham Wilton-Jones of this fine area of the country.

Reading in the Christmas B.B. about the B.E.C./Shepton visit to Sutherland for the Grampian Dinner prompts me to add to Mike's article some of my own notes of a visit made to that area last summer.

I had originally intended to go to Sutherland with Jim Abbott and Co. but, as only he and I were interested, the idea fell through - have we not heard this saga before?  When I heard that Bob Mayhew and Crange were going up there for a week with a Shepton party, I asked to join them.

They already had a full load, and since I was to travel from East Anglia I went up in my own car.  I had just fitted twin carbs and was keen to see how they performed.  I soon learned!  The inlet noise was deafening, and was continuous for 700 miles.  Then it also rained all the way up there and the car leaked like a sieve, creating my very own, mobile flood in the back.  Various vehicles left the road in the treacherous weather - all up in Scotland.

Late in the evening I arrived at what I thought to be a pleasant camping spot half way between Inverness and Ullapool.  I still had something to learn about Scotland in July and August.  It's infested with midges - and that evening they all converged on my car and my tent.

The following morning the rain had stopped and the midges were gone, except those in the car.  There was a dull mist in the air, adding to the bleakness of the morning.  The stony moor land soon gave way to trees as I dropped toward the coast.  I breakfasted by the Falls of Measach spectacular in their deep, sharp shelved gorge - and then drove down to Ullapool.  Loch Broom lay quiet and still, brilliantly reflecting the little white houses of the town and the long line of massive white cumulus above.  The Minch and its islands lay beyond, peaceful in the morning.

Having stocked up with provisions, I continued on to Elphin where we were to stay, courtesy of G.S.S. The road is simply a switchback of metallising laid across open moor with no boundaries along most of its length. It is also fast, and I soon arrived at the G.S.S. headquarters - a rusty looking corrugated iron shed to find that the Shepton had already arrived.  Having travelled overnight, they were all kipping, so I set off up the rise behind the hut to admire the view.

In actual fact, the view from the hut door is truly magnificent and the only advantage in climbing is that you see a little further. Suilven is particularly prominent. Other mountains dominate other aspects of the view, which is otherwise a low, hummocky, lake-scattered bog.  From higher up, the sea is visible.

The village of Elphin lies on the line of the Moine thrust fault.  This line can be drawn from Loch Eiboll on the North coast through Ullapool to the Sound of Sleat which is the channel between the island of Skye and the mainland.  This line is an important geological divide.  To the West, the rocks are largely gneiss overlaid with hard Torridon Sandstone.  To the east lie the rocks which form most of North Scotland. All this dips to the South East. In past geological eras, various rocks including quartzite, grits and the Durness limestones were laid over much of the area.  From the West, these have been largely eroded away although the sandstone heights are capped with protective layers of quartzite.  Gneiss and schists have been thrust over the top of the Cambrian rocks from the East, burying them.  They now outcrop only as a narrow band along the line of the thrust faults, where they are squashed, contorted and faulted.  The main outcrop of limestones are on Skye, in Loch Kishorn, near Torridon, around Eljhin and at Durnes.

When the Shepton finally rose from their slumbers, we went off for permission to visit various sites. Basically, permission is from the Nature Reserve Warden and one of the local gamekeepers.  This covers most of the Elphin and Inchnadamph area.  Soon we were making our way up the Allt nam Hamh - the stream of the caves.  Apparently there had been no rain for some time and the water was lower than usual. To the North of the stream is a small spring with little flow at that time to the south, at the base of a crag, well above the valley appeared the Orne Caves, beautifully circular in section.  Near here, the stream appeared out of the ground and further upstream, to the East, the streambed was dry boulders and gravel.

We soon climbed out of the main valley southwards and into a shallow subsidiary valley.  At the head of this we came upon Hamh an Claomeite. The water in this cave actually sinks through the peat higher up on the moor.

The weather was holding, so the following day we drove out to Stoer via Loch Assynt.  The road is narrow, winding and hummocky, following faithfully the best course over this rough barren land which is typical of gneiss scenery.  The bare rock is a sombre grey.  There are few trees, but hundreds of streams and lakes full of water lilies.  The land beyond Stoer is sandstone, and is much smoother with fewer lakes.  In glorious sunshine we walked round the coast, along the boulder beach or above the cliffs while we watched seals, cormorants and oyster-catchers.  After some six miles, we came to the Old Man of Stoer.  This is an impressive stack of layered sandstone, standing just out from the cliff with deep, threshing water between.  It is about two hundred feet high, and it has been climbed.

On, then, to the Point of Stoer, where cliff edge feats were performed to photograph a fluffy young fulmar nestling.  We returned to base via the Northern road.  On the way back, we stopped by a loch to look at an interesting but midge-infested waterfall.  The loch is perched on a low plateau and its outlet is into a narrow gorge.  At one end there are numerous perched rocks, often with good waterfalls in this part of the world.

Our evenings, and sometimes mid-days, were spent at Inchnadamph.  This is a hotel, though a farm, school and chapel warrant it a name on the map.  Behind Inchnadamph lies the Traligill River which gathers on the slopes of Ben Mor Assynt. A mile or so upstream, the river emerges from a large dark cleft in the bottom of a deep, steep sided gorge.  The cleft is like a bedding plane, but is in fact a thrust fault plane.  Most of the horizontal planes seen in the Durness Limestone are associated with faulting. Further up valley, the river is being swallowed by a large inviting hole.

On up the valley and on to a spur between the river and a tributary, we found our objective, Caoc Nam Uamh, which Bob started to survey.  There are three entrances to the system, Uamh an Uisge is a fault plane bedding at thirty degrees with an impressive cascade of water covering the whole width of the floor - up to fifty feet - and disappearing into darkness. An open pothole gives direct access to Uamh an Uisge.  The third entrance is Uamh an Tartair, which we used.  Once inside we met the stream which we crossed.  Crawling and climbing through a couple of small decorated chambers and over a broken floor above the stream, we soon came to the upstream sump - a deep pool rising in a large chamber.  Crange noted that the water was rising quite rapidly, but we were assured that all was well.  So while Bob began to survey each pebble and lump of mud, we set off to explore the rest of the system thoroughly.  At the extreme Eastern end is a static sump dammed by a peaty deposit.  At the other end of the cave - downstream - the waters swirl along a series of sumps and ducks under rock bridges.  By-passing one sump I reached a narrow rift which dropped down again to the stream, now deep and swift flowing.  This led straight into Uamh na Uisge.  The water had by now risen considerably and I instantly cast aside any thoughts of descending this torrential cascade.

Leaving Bob to his surveying, we went off along the valley as two hours underground seemed sufficient for the day.  After another two hours, having looked at every hole; marsh; stream; bog and waterfall, we arrived back at the cave.  Five minutes inside, I found Bob still surveying and muttering that he'd need another six trips to do the whole lot.  We left him and returned to the hut for nosh hours later, in the evening, we met him at the pub, now muttering about a further twelve trips.

On the Tuesday, we drove Northwards across Ferry and up to Durness.  The road runs close to the coast in places, though often the sea is hidden by scattered hummocks.  It is typical gneiss scenery with a myriad of lakes.  The weather deteriorated to clammy mist and drizzle as we approached the North coast.  Here, the relief changes as the road runs into sandstone, and then the Cambrian outcrops.  Durness lies on the limestone and there is to be found the most northerly cave in the British Isles - Smoo Cave, which we had come to see.  There are good descriptions of Smoo in various books. It lies at the end of a long, narrow chasm-like bay and a stream runs over the sandy floor and out into the bay. Above the cave are three potholes and the water of the river Smoo drops down one of these.  The cave is large, but neither long nor spectacular.  Having looked into every possible nook and cranny without getting wet, we wandered down the bay.  The stream wanders from side to side of the bay until it eventually meets the sea about half a mile out.  There are numerous small holes in awkward places, but the increasingly heavy rain drove us back to shelter.  We returned via ultra narrow roads over some desolate empty country and thence to base. For those interested in history, there are various brochs to be seen on this inland route.  These are early Iron Age circular stone forts.  We saw only one, but passed several according to the maps.

Next day we walked up Allt nam Uamh, putting in bags of activated charcoal at various strategic points. The river had risen considerably and there were fountains and springs in all sorts of obvious and unexpected places.  We put dye into the stream in Uamh an Claonaite, which has a loose ruckle entrance. The markers were picked up a couple of days later, but all proved negative as the peat had blotted out all traces of the dye. 

Early one morning we visited Kuachan Cliff, just down the road from the pub.  This is rather interesting as all the rocks of the locality, except the gneiss and sandstone can be seen outcropping in the cliff. There is also a nature trail up the cliff, where numerous unusual flowers grow, especially alpine species. On the loch opposite the cliff, there were divers (birds) whose mournful cries echoes around, somehow adding to the wildness of the view.  On a clear day, this view takes in many hundreds of square miles of Scottish scenery.

Suilvan, whose peak is protected from more rapid erosion by a granite intrusion, and Stac Pollaidh, are both visible from the cliff on a clear day.  They are both WNW-ESE ridges of sheer sided sandstone cliffs. Suilven, four miles as the crow flies from the nearest road, is a magnificent sight from the hut.  It stands 1,500 feet above the general level of the rest of the land and a stream of cloud flows frequently from its summit. As weather became less settles during our stay, Suilven disappeared.  Thus, when it re-appeared beneath the cloud one day, Crange and I persuaded everyone else that they wanted to climb it.

We decided to take a longer route, involving some nine ten miles, to the summit.  The main difficulty lies in avoiding all the lakes and rivers.  After half an hour after we had set out, the cloud lowered, it began to rain and Suilven vanished once more.  The ground became boggy and soon filled with little streams and pools.  We came upon a herd of about two hundred deer, and within minutes of their spotting us they were miles away.  Finally we reached the slopes of Suilven and climbed into the cloud. This we discovered to be dangerously thick and so retired defeated.

I stayed on after the Shepton had returned to Somerset the weather at once cleared.  I went up Stac Pollaidh which is much more accessible than Suilven, being only mile from the road.  Being alone, I did not climb the final sections - a ten foot overhang above a sheer drop of more than a hundred feet followed by a steep slope of eight hundred feet or so.  However, this ascent lessened the disappointment of failing to climb Suilven. From this windy peak, the view was over thousands of square miles of land and sea.  Below the peak, large sandstone pebble have been polished shiny smooth by desert winds of millions of years ago.

On the hill behind the Grampian hut there is supposed to by Crystal Cave. We had spent fruitless hours searching for it.  I was up there looking for it, when a golden eagle flew low above my head.  Later, I saw him again being mobbed by a Kestrel. Within the same hour, a harrier chasing rabbits nearly flew into me.  There are many birds of prey here, no doubt finding plentiful food amongst the rabbits and small rodents.  I never found Crystal Cave, although I found several other holes. The peat in this area has in it many preserved organic remains, especially silver birch and bracken.  In one peat patch, I came across a preserved fox's paw.

For me, one of the most successfully expeditions of the holiday was a walk out to the highest waterfall in the country.  This is six hundred and fifty two feet high and is about four miles from the road at the head of Loch Glancoul.  It was a brilliant hot day, with no one on the moors but me and in less than half an hour from the road I could see one of the falls.  There are two waterfalls on opposite sides of a classic U-shaped glaciated valley.  For a photograph of the other and higher one, I climbed down the cliff beside it from which vantage point it is awe inspiring sight although from the valley floor one has a better impression of the height of the fall.  Here I cooled off in a delicious plunge of yet another waterfall.

The walk out to the falls is not difficult, involving only a little clambering.  The cliff climb is not essential.  There are several streams and placid pools and green hawks nest in the moors higher up, their piping call ringing from the surrounding rocks.

I intend to go to Sutherland again this year, and I hope that this and Mike's article will persuade others that they must see this beautiful part of our islands (I need some company to go and attempt Suilven again!).  Do think seriously about it.  Bristol to Elphin is 600 miles and this can easily be covered overnight using motorways and empty Scottish roads if you are not interested in seeing any scenery on the way.  The roads can take it out of a car though!  I had to spend £50 on tyres and suspension afterwards and Crange mashed up the front of his car on a deer.  Make certain that your transport is in trouble-free condition first.  Garages are rare up there, but don't be put off!

Club Officers' Reports - 1973 - Hut Warden's Report.

This report covers the period from the 4th August 1972 the end of the club financial year at 29th July 1973.

In the same manner as last year, the Belfry Book has been laid out in analysis form from which current information may be extracted and conveyed via the report.  These analysis sheets are available for inspection and may be indexed back to any particular week in the Belfry Book which may require a detailed check.  The usefulness of the analysis sheets is demonstrated by the ease and facility with which a remote item buried in the Belfry Book may be identified.

The table below is based on extracts from the sheets, and if you have last year’s September B.B. you will be able to make a direct comparison.

The total bed-nights for this year show a gain of one over last years total.  DOWN go member’s bed-nights by 125 from 1,002 to 877.  UP go visitors by 126 from 596 to 722. Members are now down to 53.% of the bed-nights at a total contribution of 42.1% of fees received, whilst visitors are now up to 45% of usage and 57.9% of fees received.  The increase in fees received may be noted as being UP by £12.75 from £299.30 to £312.05.

Notes on Income and Expenditure.

In addition to the hut fees received (£312.05) the Belfry records the following information…..

Day fees & Conscience Box       £28.13

Camping                                   £21.36

Lighting spares & Carbide           £15.69

Tackle Fees                              £12.28

Publications                              £78.69

Ties & Badges                           £ 4.00

Keys                                         £ 5.45

……and it may be noted that although this amounts to a total of £165.60 and appears to be more than last year, the fact is that spares and carbide and ties and badges have gone down with a thump.

Tools cost the Belfry £17.32 of which £11.36 was the major item of two sets of push rods and plungers to free the long drain runs to the sceptic tank.

Paint, cement, and other materials cost £15.25.  Fittings to the Belfry cost £22.89 and this item includes £8.20 for new locks. Purchases of new keys amounted to - wait for it! - £22.72 of which there are 100 awaiting distribution to members at a reasonable deposit.  The cost of the keys is not of course included in the £22.89 mentioned for fittings.

Fuel cost for the Belfry stove amounted to £7 tractor hire and £3 for fuel sufficient to last through NEXT winter of 1973/74.  Well done, Assistant Hut Warden Nigel Taylor and his willing helpers!  The storage heaters completed the Belfry warm-up and hastened the disappearance of the fungus mould from the ceilings and walls.

To conclude this report, I think it is only fair to offer my thanks to those who have been conspicuous in assisting with the many routine jobs, maintenance and improvements.  The Belfry has been well looked after by members and visitors, despite one or two weekends of utter confusion when it has had the appearance of a shambles waiting to be cleared up.  I especially commend the Assistant Hut Warden Nigel Taylor for his work in general and the initiative he has displayed in fostering a good atmosphere at the Belfry.

Personal reasons make it impossible for me to stand for next year’s committee so may I close by wishing my successor the best of luck and enjoyment of what is, on the whole, the most interesting job on the Committee?

Jock Orr.

Club Officers’ Reports - 1973 - Hon. Secretary's Report.

It is interesting that the enormous number of enquiries for membership we have had over the past year have only produced the normal number of new members.  Nevertheless, membership of the B.E.C. now exceeds 200.

There has been an average amount of correspondence with other bodies, some of it initiated by the Priddy Parish Council and by the Maine family.  Relations with our immediate neighbours have been comparatively cordial and a policy of 'laissez faire' appears to have resolved the question of access.  The opinion of an independent solicitor was sought, on direction from last year's A.G.M.  and given on these and other matters, but it would not be, in the best interests of the club to express them in the B.B.  After long negotiation with the Inveresk Paper Group, they have reversed their decision to lease us more land.

We are losing this year several tried and true members of the committee, and I close with the hope that what the new committee lack in experience it will gain in enthusiasm.

Alan Thomas.

Member’s Addresses

New member’s addresses and changes of address of older members.

106. E. MASON 33 Broadleys Ave, Henleaze, Bristol.
276.      J:M. STAFFORD," Back Plaidy, King Edward, Nr. Turriff, Aberdeenshire.
329.      & 330. Mr. & Mrs. T. W. NEIL, Old Haybridge Inn, Haybridge, Wells, Somerset.
449.      G.T. DELL ,8 Portway, O1d Sarum Salisbury, Wilts.
553.      BOB WHITE, Kiebo, Little London, Oakhill, Bath, Somerset.
704.      D. METCALF, 52 Northfield Rd, Peterborough, Northants.
759. & 765. Mr. & Mrs. R.T. GAGE, 24 Belvior Road, St. Andrews, Bristol.
791.      D. HERBERD, 33 Triangle East, Old field Park, Bath.
810.      Miss L. WILLIAMS, Whitesdown Farm, Cheddar Cross Rd, Compton Martin, Bristol BS18 6LD.
811.      D. KNOWLES, 35 North Road, Watley's End, Bristol BS17 1PT.
812.      E. WILTON-JONES. Address to follow.
813.      M. JARRETT, 12 Edgecombe Rd, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 8AY
814.      N.J. DIBBEN, 17 Neville Rd, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire
815.      P.G.ROGERS,56, Charlton Lane, Brentry, Bristol BS10 6SQ

Club Officers’s Reports - 1973 - Publications & Sales Report.

The last year has not seen the publication of any new reports though, as will be seen later, there is much in the pipeline.  Several reprints have been re-introduced into the collection of Caving Reports for sale at the Belfry.

Although no new publication have made its appearance this year, sales of existing material has continued - albeit at a lower rate than last year.  Vanishing Grottoes and Reflections are among the best sellers.

Sales figures to hand at the present for the club financial this year totalled about £90, which is approximately what it was for the previous year 1971-72.  The Treasurer’s report will give all the necessary figures. Three reports are in the immediate pipeline, some of which will have been published before the Annual General Meeting.  These will make 1973-74 a record year for sales.  Pre-orders for the Burrington Atlas show that three fifths of the total printing will be sold very soon after publication

Reprints of the older reports has accounted for much of the costs of publications this year.  £4 was spent on replacing the silk screen on the duplicator, and this has paid off handsomely when one compares the Headwear and Lighting Report with the Pyrenean publication.  Reports brought back into circulation are No 5 (Headwear and Lighting), No 3A (Lightweight Ladder Construction) and No 11 (Long Chamber and Coral area of St. Cuthbert’s).  A further reprint of No 1 (Redcliffe Caves Survey) will be available during the coming winter.  Stencils for numbers 3A, 6, 9 and 11 have been destroyed and so these reports will be phased out of the series.

New reports in the pipeline are No 14 (Balague 1970), No 17 (A Burrington Atlas) and No 13 part’s G, I and J.  Numbers being printed are 500 for No 17 (an increase from 350 due to orders) No 14, 100 and No 13, 250.  The cost of production of the new reports is approximately £100 for No 17 and £20 for No 14. No 13 has not yet been fully costed but is thought to be in the region of £60.

The help given us by Barry Wilton has helped to keep costs down enormously, but the full cost of production will be felt now that he is unable to continue helping in this way. The increased cost has already been felt in the Burrington Atlas.  The estimated cost (using metal plates) was £70 but the final cost has risen to just under £100.  Due to the enormous capital sums that are required for launching a new publication; authors, I hope, will not be too upset if some publications are printed by Gestetner and not by offset litho.  This is not a slur on their work but should the manuscript be such that only small numbers will be printed, this will be done on the Gestetner.

The policy of producing a popular 'best seller' is continuing.  Following the success of 'Vanishing Grottoes' we are following up with 'A Burrington Cave Atlas'.  This brings a quick return into the coffers and helps finance the less popular and more specialised publications that should be published.  Therefore, it is better when discussing publications with regard to cost that one takes them as a whole and not individually.  So long as the Publications Department as a whole is paying its way and producing enough money to finance further MSS, then all is well.

New reports in the pipeline at preparation stage are 'Caves of Western Mendip' (Chris Howell), 'The Chepstow Caves (Roy Bennett) and 'Mendip Mining Sites'  The Cuthbert’s marathon still continues.

During the past year, Publications has added surveys its sales material.  So far, sales have proved the popularity of such a stock at the Belfry - so much so that the pattern of sales is not yet clear.  In one case Swildons - 10 copies were sold in 10 days.  Profits from the sales will be used to purchase new surveys for the club Library of caves both on and off Mendip.

Due to work on the cottage and other pressures such as caving (!) much of the donkey work on the actual production of the reports has been left to Doug Stuckey to carry out. Thus, typing the draft has been principally my responsibility plus the general layout; drawing of the diagrams and surveys has been split between Doug and myself, and liaison with the printers and use of the offset litho machine at Alfie's has been dealt with by Doug. Postal sales are being handled by Chris Howell in Birmingham. Material required through the post should requested from him.  The Belfry carries a full stock, as do I at home - though this is mainly an overflow stock for the Belfry.

Thought I've enjoyed being editor of the Caving Reports for the last five years, I feel it is time to give way to some new blood.  A frequent change in such a position will inject new ideas for subject matter and presentation and so I would like to offer my resignation as Editor of the Club Publications.

Lastly, but not least, I would like to thank all who helped and those that are still helping in the many problems in producing the publications (and a great number of man-hours are being spent on them - a fact no generally realised by those who pay so little for them, 10,000 man-hours on the Cuthbert’s survey alone!) - Bar Wilton, Doug Stuckey, and many others.

Dave Irwin.

Caving Trips

Saturday and Sunday, 1st and 2nd September

BIRK'S FELL - Leader D. Irwin.

Saturday, October 20th

DAN-YR-OGOF - Leader P. Kingston.

Sunday, November 11th

AGEN ALLWEDD - Leader D. Stuckey.

Friday, December 7th

RESERVOIR HOLE - Leader D. Irwin.

(Evening trip. Meet at 7.30 p.m. AT THE CAVE.)

Note:    If you wish to go on any of these trips, contact the Caving Secretary OR put your name up on the list at the Belfry.

Note:    Dave Irwin can obtain the key for Reservoir Hole at any time.  See him if you want to do this cave other than on the date shown above,

The Caving Secretary would be pleased to hear of any other suggestions for caving trips.  If you can lead a party down a particular cave; or if you have any special access arrangements to any cave that you think the club would be interested to visit, or if you merely want to do a particular cave if a suitable trip is laid on.

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IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING A GET-TOGETHER ON THE SUBJECT OF ELECTRONICS IN CAVING (Communication; survey aids; finding new caves etc.) PLEASE EITHER WRITE TO SETT OR TALK TO HIM AT THE A.G.M. OR DINNER.  SETT’S ADDRESS IS PUBLISHED BELOW.

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Any older members who are interested - and younger ones too, who may like the opportunity of meeting some of the cavers and climbers who helped to make the B.E.C. what it is to-day - should get in touch with "Sett".  His address is:- R.A. Setterington, 4, Galmington Lane, Taunton, Som.  If you are going to the A.G.M. or dinner, "Sett" will be there and willing to discuss any ideas you may have.

Monthly Crossword – Number 37.

Across:

1. Swildons Way. (3)
3. Formations. (5)
6. Ran pole differently? (5)
8. Reverse of 2 down. (3)
9. Lower part of cave? (5)
11. Black part of well known Welsh cave? (3)
12. Warts information. (5)
14. Extracted from Mendip once. (5)
15. Hilliers Hall. (3)

Down:

1. Local City. (5)
2. Reverse of 8 across. (3)
4. Ledge Pitch, Mud Hall or Traverse Chamber? (5)
5. Rested perhaps on a caving trip. (3)
7. May describe water or some of 8 across in a cave. (5)
9. Nobody is to blame for this cave feature. (5)
10. Ledge Pitch, perhaps, but not really Mud Hall     or Traverse Chamber. (5)
11. Found constructed in Cuthbert’s. (3)
13. Reverse of 15 across run in Cuthbert’s. (3)

Solution to Last Month’s Crossword