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Rhino Rift Closed due to Unsafe Bolts

We've recieved the following info from the CSCC:

Having discussed the matter of the unsafe bolt in Rhino Rift with Nick Williams, in his role as BCA Insurance Officer, it is his recommendation that we should effectively shut the cave whilst the situation is evaluated. This will take a matter of a few weeks. Hopefully no longer. I have relayed this to Linda, our legal adviser, and she concurs with Nick's advice.

I shall therefore arrange for a replacement padlock to go on the cave tomorrow morning. Anyone with a strong wish to go down the cave during this period would then need to come to me for a key and a detailed description of the problems inherent in undertaking a trip. Nick agreed that this was the best compromise that we could put in place immediately.

Please ensure that anybody within your club who issues keys is aware of this, so that no-one has a wasted trip over to the cave.

Graham Mullan

 

Once again, it is with great remorse that we hear of another pillar of the BEC passing on before his time.

This morning I have been informed of the death of Dave "Wig" Irwin who was known to a great many of us.

Mack called around at Wig's house this morning and couldn’t get any answer from him. On gaining access to his house he was found passed away in his chair.

Those of you who where up at Zot and Mike’s party, in the back room of the Hunters last weekend, will have seen Wig in fine form until late into the evening. Indeed I had a long conversation with him on Sunday morning where he was on fine form as usual.

There’s no more information at the moment but in due course I expect the details to filter through.  

Rest in Peace my friend.

Film Crews @ The Belfry

We had a film crew visit the Belfry last Wednesday for filming down Rose Cottage. We're also being visited by some students from University College of Creative Arts in Farnham, Surrey who plan to do a recreation of the story of Aron Ralston, who was a climber who got his right arm trapped under a boulder and on the fifth day of being trapped cut it off to survive.

They are mainly taking the emotional elements of this and putting it into their own script – to which they have decided on caving rather than rock climbing. The Church of Goats will be the venue for this.

Dear Friends

 

It is with a very heavy heart that I am writing to tell you that my brother, John Williams (Jingles) died yesterday, 20 March, in Frenchay Hospital. As some of you will know he had been chronically ill for a number of years and his condition had worsened significantly after Christmas. Sadly he developed an ulcer in a tooth which after being surgically extracted yesterday developed into septacaemia and his body simply could not cope. He died peacefully, under much sedation, in the company of my parents, Jeff and myself.

 

John's funeral will be on Thursday 29th March at 2.30pm at:

 

Westerleigh Crematorium
Westerleigh Road
Westerleigh
Bristol
BS37 8QP

All comers will be welcome.

Forest of Dean Meet - Friday 4 May – Monday 7 May 2007

Two years ago, I organised a multi-club meet in the Forest with 41 cavers, 4 kids and 1 dog from Craven Pothole Club, Dudley Caving Club, Shepton Mallet Caving Club and the BEC. We had a great time caving, exploring mines, hiking, climbing, cycling together and of course, drinking the pub almost dry and so we’re heading back there again for this May Bank Holiday. 

For those of you that have not been to the Forest before, it is a wonderful area with a longer cave than Mendip and plenty of other outdoor activities.  It is also a great opportunity to meet and socialise with other cavers from different clubs.

  1. Barrie Wilton
  2. Vale "Alfie" Collins
  3. Fermanagh 2006
  4. CHECC 2006 - Aftermath