Recently my activities have been concentrated on two subjects, namely organising CSCC's representation at the Mendip Rocks festival and making arrangements for the workshop to canvas opinions on how we might better represent southern cavers who do not belong to CSCC member clubs and future access policy. These events are covered in separate articles in this newsletter.

I like to think that real progress has been made in the culture of the CSCC over the past few years, and this is a real testament to the efforts of officers and club representatives along with the small cohort of observers who attend the general meetings. I have been in the role of Chair for the last three challenging years, during which time I have gradually drifted away from being an active caver, and with my work moving from Bristol to the south coast I cannot see this changing in the foreseeable future. I feel that the CSCC Chair needs to have their finger on the pulse of the community, and this requires someone who is actively caving. As such I will not be seeking re-election at the AGM in May, which hopefully will give anyone interested in the role sufficient time to come forward. I will of course be delighted to answer any questions to any potential candidates.

Ed Waters

11 November 2022 from 19:00 via Zoom Minutes from the last meeting are available on the CSCC website along with the agenda for the upcoming meeting.

Please follow the below link to join the meeting on Zoom: https://bristol-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/97855991912

Remember that only nominated club representatives may vote, but anyone can attend as an observer and join the discussion. As ever, please follow the usual online meeting etiquette and ensure your microphone is muted when you are not speaking.

This annual event organised by The Mendip Hills AONB Service: The Somerset Earth Science Centre: and The Mendip Society: celebrates the fascinating geology of the Mendip Hills. I was made aware of the event by Estelle Sandford who suggested that it would be a great opportunity for CSCC to explain caving to the general public. This was discussed at the August general meeting and I was given the go ahead to contact the organisers to see if they would be interested in having a CSCC presence. Contact was made, and the organisers very happy to have CSCC attend as part of the “Blast From the Past” family event at Westbury Quarry on 1st October, the main event of which would be a raffle to blow up a car.

Unfortunately this was a busy weekend for the caving community, and no volunteers could be found to aid preparation of the CSCC stand, so it ended up being a solo effort on my part. The stand consisted of a gazebo, a manakin made of caving gear climbing a ladder and displays of large photo prints of Mendip caves and mines; various caving equipment; surveys and books. Plus of course yours truly to provide witty banter to the public.

The weather was absolutely awful with high winds and driving rain, so I was somewhat fortunate that CSCC was allocated a spot inside a garage (much to my surprise as I had been expecting to be outside). This meant I didn't have to use the four half-hundredweight blocks I had brought with me to secure the gazebo from the wind. This was fortunate in that it allowed CSCC to come to the rescue of The Somerset Earth Science gazebo after it was blown over (by the gale not the explosives used on the car).

Overall over 160 people attended the event despite the appalling weather, and many of them stopped by and had a chat at the stand. The audience included a fair number of ex-cavers, a few who wanted to give caving a go, but mostly just curious locals who wanted know what lay under their feet.

The day was a great success and rewarding, if tiring to set up and stay with the stand all day. Very many thanks to Mike Moxon who turned up at the end of the day and helped me pack up all the kit.

Ed Waters

Local cavers should expect a higher level of traffic underground during the CHECC Forum and clubs are requested only to issue permits via the CHECC organisers (and not to individual student clubs) to assist with the management and call-out system for the event.

at the Mendip Caving Group's Nordrach Cottage BS40 7XW

Agenda for the day:

10:00 - 10:30 Arrive, welcome, tea and coffee.

10:30 - 12:00 Workshop 1. How should the CSCC represent those who cave in the south, but are not members of a CSCC affiliated club?

12:00 - 13:30 Lunch (provided)

13:30 - 15:30 Workshop 2. Does the CSCC need an access policy, and if so what should it include?

15:30 - 16:00 Wrap up.

The aim of this event is to garner opinions form as wide a base as possible, and I am really keen to hear the views of those who do not normally attend CSCC meetings. As such the workshop will be very informal and is intended to gather ideas that can be collated into potential proposals for a future CSCC general meeting.

This is very much your chance to shape the future on two extremely important issues. If you don't get involved don't complain later if you don't like the solution!

Given the commitment to hold the event, and in order to make arrangements for lunch, I really need people to indicate that they are attending. A notice was circulated at the start of this month, and so far I have been somewhat disappointed that only one person has messaged me to confirm that they will be attending. I am aware of a few others who have indicated interest in the event, but unless I receive sufficient firm commitments from enough people (more than 10) in the next week then the event will be cancelled.

You can let me know if you are intending to attend, or give me your thoughts on the two subjects if you are unable to attend by email at chair@cscc.org.uk

Ed Waters

As the year draws to its close, CavefestUK are already planning the 2023 Easter holiday festival.

Returning to the Mendip Hills, it promises to be a cracking event. With cave trips to suit all abilities and styles, access to many of the locked caves with warden led trips available, onsite catering and bar, evening entertainment and so much more.

There will be workshops running and guest speakers to enlighten you with their experiences. Starless River will be joining us also to feed the caver magpies, and even the Mendip AONB will be onsite for the weekend offering activities. All this, and we've not even mentioned the competitions.

Oh yes, one more little surprise. CavefestUK are collecting for charity this year and have chosen to donate to Mendip Cave Rescue once again; just people like us, saving people like us when it all goes wrong, and we thank them for that. To raise funds for this CavefestUK are throwing one of their members out of an aeroplane at 15k feet. This will take place at Honiton on the 26th March at 12pm.

This really is setting up to be an experience you don't want to miss out on.

More details at cavefestuk.co.uk

Neil Jackson - CavefestUK

After negotiation with the landowner and a much simplified access arrangement has been agreed. In return, a new lid needs to be manufactured and fitted before the agreement can commence. Further details will be circulated ahead of the upcoming CSCC meeting. Please avoid accessing this site in the meantime.

A professional report was commissioned to scope the work required to replace the floor in the Swildon's changing barn. As a result, the material budget has increased and BCA funding is being applied for.

Unfortunately, no progress has been made with Longleat since the meeting in June, due to their “busy season”. Progress is now expected as things quieten down over autumn and winter.

CSCC member club Gloucester Speleological Society, have been in touch requesting access details for Holly Bush shaft in Shipham. It is some time since the site was last dug and unfortunately the diggers were unable to provide current contact information. Following a Land Registry search to identify the owners, CSCC will be making contact to enquire about possible access.

A CSCC Key was requested and has been delivered to the Charterhouse Centre staff.

Subsequent to the theft of the new lid installed at Stoke Lane, the lid frame has now been removed and the entrance generally tidied up. It is hoped that the frame can be used at Singing River Mine.

Arrangements have been made to accommodate the CHECC event at the end of November. This includes loaning them a large number of CSCC Keys, negotiating pre-payments for Eastwater and Swildons Hole, agreeing special permit and key arrangements with Charterhouse Caving Company, etc. Hopefully they will have an enjoyable time on Mendip.

Wayne Starsmore

Things have been relatively quiet over the summer period. I attended the BCA Council meeting in September, and it was very nice to see an acknowledgement of all the work Dave Cooke has put in for BCA in the past. The following extract is taken from the report to the meeting from BCA Chair, Russell Myers:

BCA functions with considerable voluntary help to a large extent and I am always keen to recognise the contribution individuals have made in providing that help by recording in Council minutes, their contribution for posterity and by way of saying thank you on behalf of the Association. To this extent, I have been made aware of an omission in this record for the contribution Dave Cooke has made to BCA primarily for the IT work he provided over a number years from setting up the original BCA systems to a number of roles he held during this period including: - BCA Treasurer - IT Working Group Convenor - Webmaster - Web Services Co-ordinator - Cave Registry Co-ordinator Whilst events have occurred changing all those roles since 2020, not least of which Dave Cooke’s departure as a volunteer helping to run and develop them, he did provide a level of voluntary input for which he should be recognised and that fact placed on record.

Howard Jones, currently BCA Treasurer and Insurance Manager will not be standing again at the next AGM. Howard said in his report: I retire from BCA Council in June 2023 and Josh White has agreed to take over as Insurance Manager from January 2023 following policy renewal. He will shadow me till then. In addition, BCA will need a new treasurer, so if you know anyone who can fill this vital role, please put them in contact with Howard for a discussion on what the job entails.

The BCA Conservation and Access Committee has been moribund for a while, but thanks to the efforts of Jenny Potts and Victoria Kocher from Derbyshire the working group has been re-vitalised and they have each convened a meeting. As a result, the funding claims from regions, including CSCC, have been approved, which is a good step forwards. A sub-group is also looking at the monitoring of cave SSSIs. The next meeting of the group will be in January.

I’ve attended all meetings of the Constitution and Operations Working group convened by Andrew McLeod, with Russell Myers and Jenny Potts. There’s a big job ahead bringing the Manual of Operations up to date and in line with constitutional amendments over the past few years and also looking at how BCA might be able to work more efficiently. This work is ongoing. Jenny Potts stood for Council at the last AGM as a group representative with the aim of bringing clubs together when needed to discus matters of mutual interest/concern and facilitating communication when needed. If any CSCC clubs have any matters they would like to discuss, please let me know and I will liaise with Jenny.

Linda Wilson

11 Nov 2022 19:00 General Meeting - Zoom

12 Nov 2022 10:00 CSCC Workshop day - MCG Cottage BS40 7XW

19 Nov 2022 19:30 J-Rat Digging Award - Hunters Lodge Inn

25-27 Nov 2022 CHECC Forum - Priddy Village Hall

01 Feb 2023 23:59 Notification to members of upcoming AGM

13 Feb 2023 10:30 General Meeting - Zoom

15 Mar 2023 23:59 Deadline for AGM nominations

17 Mar 2023 19:00 Deadline for AGM constitutional amendments

01 Apr 2023 23:59 Notification to members of AGM nominations

07-10 Apr 2023 CavefestUK Festival

12 May 2023 19:00 Annual General Meeting - Zoom

Download a printable version here