Spin-offs
by Peter Glanvill
The following comments were prompted by features in the last 2 BB's. First of all with regard to Wig's article on lost caves (BB Dec. 99 Vol. 50 No 12) I would suggest that the cave Trevor Knief found on Cothelstone Hill which was subsequently dug at and photographed by myself and Tony Boycott is that mentioned in 19th century writings. The cave we found consists of a large chamber about 10 metres long and 2 metres wide the entrance of which had been obscured by a cliff fall which has now slumped into it forming a scree slope which obscures the natural height of the chamber - probably 2 metres plus. When we dug at the end we found the remains of a clay pipe. I know this doesn't prove habitation but does suggest the cave has been open in the past. The size of the cave suggests extensions may be possible and there are choked side passages but they would need quite a bit of digging.
Elsewhere on the Quantocks we have
See - Men and Mining
on the Quantocks by J.R. Hamilton and J.F. Lawrence 1970
Beer
Caves
Rob is to be congratulated on re-inventing the wheel with
regard to the caves at Beer. These were
originally mapped, listed and surveyed and the descriptions published by Chris
Proctor in The Caves of East Devon. The cover has a nice drawing by the author
of the largest cave. I have got photos
of some of them but cannot find them at present! I did try to match up all the names but Chris
has listed more than Rob and the grid refs are more detailed. He lists over 40 caves, the longest of which
is known as the Hall and runs through the point north of Beer Head. Another cave nearer
Finally, on the next page, for those looking for curiosities take a look at the adit running off the beach just to the east of Sidmouth. It lies about 100 metres along the beach from the river mouth and may be obscured by cliff falls. The tunnel was driven from somewhere inland reasons unknown. The entrance to the adit was visited in February 98 and at that time there was an easily negotiable grille over it. You will probably find notices telling you not to use the beach if you go there. I haven't been down the adit - the fact that it is in red marl is just a teensy off putting but it is down for a 'nothing to do on a wet day' visit some time.
Sidmouth Adit
Looking out of Sidmouth Adit
Snippets
From a Belgian magazine given to Jrat detailing articles on Priddy Green Sink.
Het beste uit andere
tijdschriften
Doorsteek Priddy
Green Swildons Hole.
Vincent Coessens vertaaide voor u dit artikel met de
officielle versie van deze doorsteekm vorsachen in de Belfry Bulletin Het is zowat het meest scabbreuze dat ooit
ib Spelerpes vewrscheen. Lees ouk het
virige artikel en heb medelijen met de Belgische speleos die zich lieten
meeslepan.
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The best from other
magazines
Through trip Priddy
green Swildons Hole
Vincent Coessens translated the official version of the
explorations that led to the through trip from BECs Belfry Bulletin. One of the darkest tales Sperliepes ever
published . Have a look at the
previous article and feel sorry for everyone who has ever been there!
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Flash sur les autres
revues
Traversee Priddy
green Swildons Hole.
Vincent Coessens a traduit pour vous cet article qui est
la version officielle de cette traverse. Cest vle texto le plus scabreux ayant jamias paru dans la
Spelerpes. Lisez aussi larticle
precedent et ayez pitie de ces pauvres speleos beiges qui vse sont fait
savoir.
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