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--- start [25 Oct 2020 21:47]
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cookie [Home] Covid Announcement
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 <grid>
 <col xs="12" sm="6" md="4" lg="4">
-<panel type="primary" title="Access to caves in Cheddar Gorge">
+<panel type="danger" title="CSCC and MCR: Joint Statement on Coronavirus Lockdown Mk 2 and Caving in the South">
-Further to the decision by Longleat to close the show caves and suspend their operations in Cheddar, they have notified CSCC that with immediate effect caver access to all caves on Longleat property which includes the whole south side of the Gorge, is no longer available. This includes all caves and digs, and affects sites such as Reservoir Hole, Spider Hole, Goughs Cave, Long Hole, Great Oones etc.
+Dear Southern Cavers,
-Longleat are not adverse to reinstating caver access subject to an access agreement with CSCC. Negotiations to formalise an access procedure were started at the request of Longleat a few years ago but were never concluded.
+As most all of you will be aware, the government announced on Saturday that new lockdown measures will be introduced from Thursday 5th November in an attempt to control the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. The details of these measures can be found at [[https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#travel]].
-Discussions have recommenced and both parties are hopeful of a favourable and positive outcome, however in the meantime all the caves are closed.
+One of the issues as regards caving is that you can only leave home for specific purposes, one of which being;
-Longleat will be keeping a presence in the Gorge for maintenance purposes, but this is all. Approaches should not be made to Longleat or any of their representatives as permission to visit any of the caves will be denied.
+**"to exercise outdoors or visit an outdoor public place - with the people you live with, with your support bubble or, when on your own, with 1 person from another"**
-[[canda@cscc.org.uk|Graham Price]]\\
+If caving is considered to provide a form of "outdoor exercise" it will be up to individual cavers to decide whether or not they can or should go caving whilst meeting both the letter and spirit of the new national restrictions. Cavers should think carefully whether a caving trip meets the latest travel restrictions, noting in particular that as of 2nd November;
-Conservation & Access Officer\\
-th Oct 2020
+  * **“You should avoid travelling in or out of your local area, and you should look to reduce the number of journeys you make.”**
-</panel>
+  * **“you can and should still travel for a number of reasons, including … exercise, if you need to make a short journey to do so.”**
+Further points to consider are that some landowners may not feel comfortable in allowing cavers onto their land during lockdown. In these cases please be understanding and respect their wishes. The Council of Southern Caving Clubs (CSCC) will try to maintain a list of lockdown access arrangements, but given the fast-moving nature of the situation it is possible that cavers will come across restrictions not previously reported. In these cases please respect the landowners wishes and inform CSCC so that we can advise others. It is quite possible that local residents will be wary of visitors, and as such cavers should be discreet and avoid caves close to private residencies. If cavers are seen, or suspected, of breaking the national restrictions this could have serious long-term impacts upon our relationships with the communities we rely on for amongst other things access to our caves.
+A rescue during the lockdown would be a major issue for Mendip Cave Rescue (MCR). Whilst they will remain ready to come to the aid of anyone in need underground, the process will be complicated by lockdown restrictions which may slow response and wearing of PPE to minimise infection risk will hamper underground operations. As such please chose your trip carefully to ensure that it lies well within the abilities of all members of the party.
+We cannot advise you whether your trip, if you intend to cave, falls within government guidelines or not, but if you do decide to cave please think carefully about the potential consequences of your trip and ensure that you are complying with the latest government advice. The situation is evolving quickly and CSCC will continue to do our best to keep you informed of how the situation is affecting caving in the south via the [[https://cscc.org.uk|CSCC website]].
+Ed Waters (CSCC Chairman) & Martin Grass (Hon Secretary MCR)\\
+nd November 2020
+</panel>
 </col>
 <col xs="12" sm="6" md="4" lg="4">
-<panel type="primary" title="CSCC: Latest Access News">
+<panel type="primary" title="Annual J’Rat Digging Awards – 21st Nov 2020">
+{{ :jrat_awards_poster_2020.jpg?direct |}}
+\\
+Owing to COVID19, there will not be an event held in the Hunters for 2020 for the presentation of the Silver Shovel for Mendip and Scotland finds, but we don’t want the finds since 1st November 2019 to 31st October 2020 to go unrewarded and unnoticed!
-As far as CSCC is aware, all caves closed as a result of the coronavirus lockdown are now open.
+Our plan is to create a short video for release on the 21st November announcing the winner and celebrating this year’s digging efforts in what can only be described as unusual times.
-Restrictions may apply to some caves whilst the virus is still prevalent in the community and it is important to respect the wishes of landowners in this regard.
+We would like to include some footage or photos/text or short powerpoint presentation including a survey of the larger finds, but also to invite any digging teams who wish to send over a short update of theirs too as a bit of a general digging update/Mendip and Scottish roundup. Please contact Estelle Sandford – [[estellesandford@gmail.com]] – with information on anything you would like us to include.
-Access requirements for specific sites can be found in the [[https://access-guide.cscc.org.uk|Access Guide]].
+As per usual, the deadline is 31st October to send details of your 50 metres or more of cave passage found and surveyed in either Mendip or Scotland to Martin Grass – [[m.grass@btinternet.com]]
-</panel>
+More details of the release will follow nearer the main event...
+Estelle Sandford\\
+Oct 2020
+</panel>
 </col>
@@ Line 31: / Line 49: @@
 <panel type="danger" title="BCA: Information on Coronavirus and Caving">
-BCA have issued a series of useful updates on the coronavirus and how it related to caving. See the [[https://british-caving.org.uk/wiki3/doku.php#coronavirus-and-caving|BCA Website]].
+BCA have issued a series of useful updates on the coronavirus and how it related to caving. See the [[https://british-caving.org.uk/coronavirus-and-caving/|BCA Website]].
 </panel>
@@ Line 44: / Line 62: @@
 </col>
+<col xs="12" sm="6" md="4" lg="4">
+<panel type="primary" title="Access to caves in Cheddar Gorge">
+Further to the decision by Longleat to close the show caves and suspend their operations in Cheddar, they have notified CSCC that with immediate effect caver access to all caves on Longleat property which includes the whole south side of the Gorge, is no longer available. This includes all caves and digs, and affects sites such as Reservoir Hole, Spider Hole, Goughs Cave, Long Hole, Great Oones etc.
+Longleat are not adverse to reinstating caver access subject to an access agreement with CSCC. Negotiations to formalise an access procedure were started at the request of Longleat a few years ago but were never concluded.
+Discussions have recommenced and both parties are hopeful of a favourable and positive outcome, however in the meantime all the caves are closed.
+Longleat will be keeping a presence in the Gorge for maintenance purposes, but this is all. Approaches should not be made to Longleat or any of their representatives as permission to visit any of the caves will be denied.
+[[canda@cscc.org.uk|Graham Price]]\\
+Conservation & Access Officer\\
+th Oct 2020
+</panel>
+</col>
+<col xs="12" sm="6" md="4" lg="4">
+<panel type="primary" title="CSCC: Latest Access News">
+As far as CSCC is aware, all caves closed as a result of the coronavirus lockdown are now open.
+Restrictions may apply to some caves whilst the virus is still prevalent in the community and it is important to respect the wishes of landowners in this regard.
+Access requirements for specific sites can be found in the [[https://access-guide.cscc.org.uk|Access Guide]].
+If anyone is aware of any updates, please notify me.
+[[access.guide@cscc.org.uk|Graham Price]]\\
+Conservation & Access Officer\\
+th Oct 2020
+</panel>
+</col>
 </grid>