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!

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.

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.

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

More details of the release will follow nearer the main event…

Estelle Sandford
30 Oct 2020

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.

Graham Price
Conservation & Access Officer
11th Oct 2020

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 Access Guide.

If anyone is aware of any updates, please notify me.

Graham Price
Conservation & Access Officer
25th Oct 2020