Applying for Membership
The BEC welcomes cavers to join the club. There are numerous benefits including:
- Use of the club hut – the Belfry
- access to the clubs tackle store
- access to keys for many locked caves on Mendip
- a free yearly permit for Charterhouse Caves
- regular issues of our publication the Belfry Bulletin
- use of the extensive library in the Belfry
- preferential service at the Hunters (in your dreams)
- reciprocal rates at many other club huts
- joining a group of like minded cavers
Complete a Membership Form
Download a copy of the Membership Application Form as word document from here or a PDF here
Once you have completed the form and had it proposed and seconded by current full BEC members it needs to be submitted at the next BEC committee meeting. These are always held on the first Friday of each month at around 9pm in the Belfry. It’s best if you turn up and introduce yourself if your not already well known to the committee. If you really can’t make it then let us know and we’ll work something out.
Paying for Membership
The Club year starts on the 1st October each year at the AGM. Club dues are paid at that date and are:
Fees for the club year to 1 October to 30 September
| Ordinary Membership | £35.00 per year £45.00 per year if after 30th November |
| BCA Caving Insurance | £20.00 per year for active cavers £6.00 per year for surface cavers £8.00 per year for NUS card holder cavers |
| Discounts | £-15.00 per year for Students / Under 30s £-5.00 per year for Joint members |
Membership Discounts
On application to the Membership Secretary members may take advantage of a maximum of one of the following:
Joint Membership
A discounted subscription rates is available to couples, both of which must be members, living in the same household. Members taking a Joint discount only receive one printed copy of bulletins, etc.
Student Discount
Students can apply for a discounted rate on evidence of a Student Card issued by an educational establishment.
Under 30’s Discount
A discounted subscription rate which will be the same rate as the Student Discount is available to members who are under 30 (29 years old or younger at the AGM when BEC renewals are requested).
Probationary Membership
New members are classified as Probationary for a period of 1 year. After that period you will be ratified as a full ordinary member unless the Committee decide otherwise.
BCA Caving Insurance
BCA Insurance is required by all club members who are still caving. The BCA define two categories for insurance: caver and non caver. They do not however provide a definition of what these description cover but imply that anyone who is involved in any form of caving must have insurance. Therefore if you plan to venture underground or dig on the surface during the club year you must take insurance.
In some circumstances we will waive this fee, if you can prove that you already have BCA approved insurance from another club.
Details of the BCA insurance including FAQ are here.
Pro-rata fees for New Members
| Membership Type | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary | 35.00 | 32.08 | 29.17 | 26.25 | 23.33 | 20.42 | 17.50 | 14.58 | 11.67 | 8.75 | 5.83 | 2.92 |
| Student Discount | -15.00 | -13.75 | -12.50 | -11.25 | -10.00 | -8.75 | -7.50 | -6.25 | -5.00 | -3.75 | -2.50 | -1.25 |
| Joint Discount | -5.00 | -4.58 | -4.17 | -3.75 | -3.33 | -2.92 | -2.50 | -2.08 | -1.67 | -1.25 | -0.83 | -0.42 |
| BCA - Active | 20.00 | 18.33 | 16.67 | 15.00 | 13.33 | 11.67 | 10.00 | 8.33 | 6.67 | 5.00 | 3.33 | 1.67 |
| BCA - Surface | 6.00 | 5.50 | 5.00 | 4.50 | 4.00 | 3.50 | 3.00 | 2.50 | 2.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 0.50 |
| BCA - Student | 8.00 | 7.33 | 6.67 | 6.00 | 5.33 | 4.67 | 4.00 | 3.33 | 2.67 | 2.00 | 1.33 | 0.67 |
Membership Renewal
All members who wish to remain a member of the club (and lets face it, why wouldn’t you) are asked to pay their subs before the end of the November. After this grace period you membership will be considered lapsed and you’ll no longer receive the BB any other club benefits.
Information updated 4 February 2023