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--- access:access_news [10 Jul 2020 16:14]
cookie [Coronavirus]
+++ access:access_news [14 Jul 2020 09:05]
cookie [Coronavirus] Charterhouse and Fairy Quarry reopen
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 The following caves are known to be closed due to coronavirus:
-  * Fairy Cave Quarry Caves
-    * Fairy, Hillier's, Shatter, Withyhill, etc.
-  * The Charterhouse Caves
-    * GB, Longwood, Rhino, Charterhouse, etc.
   * Eastwater Cavern, North Hill Swallet
@@ Line 55: / Line 51: @@
   * St. Cuthberts from 9th June at wardens' discretion.
+  * The Charterhouse Caves from 13th June. See [[:access:access_news#charterhouse_caves_reopening|below]].
+    * GB, Longwood, Rhino, Charterhouse, etc.
+  * Fairy Cave Quarry Caves from 13th June. See [[:access:access_news#fairy_cave_quarry_caves_reopening|below]].
+    * Fairy, Hillier's, Shatter, Withyhill, etc.
  Jun 2020
 ----
+===== Charterhouse Caves Reopening =====
+CHARTERHOUSE CAVING COMPANY LTD
+RE-OPENING THE CAVES 13th JULY 2020
+Following the updated advice from government, the BCA and the BCRC, the company is able to recommence visits to the caves under its management from Monday 13th July 2020. Visits are, of course, subject to the normal requirements of the access agreements and also to the additional recommendations listed below.
+  * Until further notice each club is asked not to issue more than one key for each cave on any one day.
+  * Social distancing and hygiene protocols must be followed when issuing and returning both keys and permits. It is recommended that visitors use hand sanitiser before and after unlocking and locking cave gates.
+  * No cars are to be parked at Charterhouse Farm by request of the owners and no changing is to take place there. Parking for G.B. and Charterhouse must therefore be in the layby by the field entrance on the road.
+  * It is recommended that you have a plan "B" if you are likely to meet other cavers underground.
+  * Ash dieback is affecting trees throughout the Mendip area. Take care when using the permissive path through Longwood Valley especially in high winds.
+We also recommend that the following additional advice from the Secretary of the BCA is adhered to.
+  * Plan for an alternative location if the location is already occupied, so as to minimise the risk of transmission of the coronavirus between groups;
+  * Noting that whilst some rural communities are content to see cavers, others may still be reluctant to have visitors, so check local information before visiting and take care when approaching any location;
+  * The ‘service’ provided by cave rescue organisations may be reduced and could take longer to arrive at the scene of an incident, so cavers and mine explorers should special care to reduce the risk of a call out;
+  * Follow government guidance on contact with shared tackle, hand washing / use of hand sanitizer and maintain an appropriate social distance where reasonably possible both above and underground, so as to minimise the risk of transmission of the coronavirus; and
+  * Keep a record for 21 days of whom you have associated with in case they subsequently realise that they are infected, so as to facilitate the government’s test and trace program.
+Pete Hann\\
+Chairman, on behalf of the Directors, CCC Ltd, July 11th 2020
+===== Fairy Cave Quarry Caves Reopening =====
+In light of the latest easing of lockdown restrictions & announcements Fairy Cave Quarry Management Committee are re-opening access to the caves in the quarry from Monday 13th July 2020.
+It is advised that any recommendation and advice from the Government, BCRC & BCA are followed along with the following:-
+It is recommended that you use a hand sanitiser before and after handling padlocks and gates.
+It is important to minimise risks as much as possible, therefore cave within your capability. Although MCR are operational it may take longer for a callout response from MCR and other emergency services.
+To reduce the risk of meeting other cavers underground, bearing in mind the restricted nature of the caves in FCQ, it is suggested that a discrete note be put on the dashboard of parked vehicles with just the name of cave (or cave initials) and possibly the intended route (do not put times etc). It is recommended that you have a plan "B" if you are likely to meet other cavers underground.
+Ash dieback is affecting trees throughout the Mendip area including in and around the quarry and car park. This can seriously impact on the strength and reliability of even large trees. An inspection of the ash trees will be carried out in the near future.
+Wardens for the guided trips within the quarry may be limited due to wardens self isolating etc. Any requests for trips will be sent to the the wardens list as usual and it is up to the wardens whether or not they feel safe to guide a trip.
+Fairy Cave Quarry Management Committee.  13 July 2020.