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start [27 Jun 2020 16:26] cookie [About] Panel to highlight Access News |
start [25 Feb 2021 10:35] cookie [Home] Chairman's message re Covid |
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+ | Dear Southern Cavers, | ||
- | Following on from the Prime Ministers statement | + | Well it looks like there may be light at the end of the lockdown tunnel as the vaccination programme proceeds at pace and warmer weather is on the way. I know we have all been frustrated with most of us stranded above ground for the best part of a year, but I am sure we can look forward to greater flexibility to get underground in the not too far distant future. |
- | Firstly | + | The crisis is still far from being over, and I would like to encourage us all to continue to follow the government guidance on travel and exercise. I am aware that there is a great deal of debate about the minutiae of the wording and differences between the guidance supplied by government and the legislation covering the COVID lockdown. I am also aware that this argument has been used by some cavers to justify travelling significant distances to go caving. It should be noted that there have been cases of police fining people who have travelled to Mendip |
- | However, the following should be bourne | + | CSCC is not in the business of deciding who can and cannot go caving, but please think carefully about the potential wider implications of your actions. It appears that there is not much longer to wait, we have done pretty well up to now and a little patience may have great benefits |
- | The PM made it very clear that you can meet one friend outside keeping 2 mts distance. Caves are not outside and the caving code states a minimum of 4 in a group. So unless it is a family living together its difficult. | + | All the best, and hope to see you underground before much longer, |
- | The only pastimes allowed are golf, tennis and those where social distancing can be maintained. It cannot be maintained in caving. | + | Ed Waters (CSCC Chair)\\ |
+ | 24th Feb 2021 | ||
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- | MCR have made certain preparations if we are called out but the practicalities of wearing PPE in a cave would make any rescue prolonged. In addition we have protocols issued by BCRC where all equipment needs to be treated with disinfectant. | + | <col xs=" |
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- | Of course we would not hesitate to attend a call out but it could take longer than normal with some cavers self-isolating. Not only would rescuers be putting themselves at risk of contracting the virus from a casualty but the casualty would also be at risk from the rescuers. | + | === From Charterhouse Caving Company Ltd === |
- | The goodwill we have with landowners on Mendip could well be put in jeopardy if cavers start arriving. The club huts are all still closed | + | "The site of the reported rockfall in GB near the waterfall climb in Main Chamber has been checked. There has been a recent fall of mud, gravel and smallish boulders on the left (when viewed facing downstream) of the waterfall climb, near the bottom. The wall above the last part of the climb (the big steps) appears |
- | Finally caving and British Caving in particular gained enormous praise from the public and great PR following | + | This waterfall has been formed on a major vertical structural fault (see Ford, D.C., 1964. On the Geomorphic History of G.B. Cave, Charterhouse-on-Mendip, Somerset. UBSS Proceedings, |
- | So please stay safe. | + | Graham Mullan\\ |
+ | Secretary\\ | ||
+ | Charterhouse Caving Company Ltd\\ | ||
+ | [[secretary@charterhouse-caving-company.ltd.uk]]\\ | ||
+ | 8th Feb 2021 | ||
- | Martin Grass\\ | + | [[news: |
- | Honorary Secretary\\ | + | </ |
- | Mendip Cave Rescue\\ | + | </ |
- | 13 May 2020 | + | |
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+ | Dear Southern Cavers, | ||
+ | |||
+ | As all of you are now no doubt aware the UK is now in the throws of the third national lockdown and this places severe restrictions on our hobby. I would draw your attention to the statement made by the CNCC a few days ago (reproduced below), which provides some excellent advice and is applicable down south as it is up north. The CNCC advice reads; | ||
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+ | //"The third national lockdown is upon and this sees a return of the Government message to 'Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives' as the country tries to stop the spread of the virus and prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed. As with the March 2020 lockdown, leaving home is now only permitted for a limited number of reasons.// | ||
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+ | //Some of you will be wondering about provisions for exercise, potentially including caving, during lockdown. | ||
+ | The restrictions include provisions for exercise during lockdown to help people maintain fitness and to support wellbeing. However, this exercise must only be taken alone, with your household/ bubble, or with one other person, and it must be in your immediate local area (defined as your village, town or part of the city in which you live).// | ||
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+ | //For the vast majority of us, who either prefer to cave with a group of friends, or would need to travel away from our immediate local area to go caving, this means venturing underground is sadly off the cards for the duration of this lockdown. Instead, we advise that the next several weeks provide a much better opportunity to repair oversuits, clean equipment and plan your summer adventures instead.// | ||
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+ | //For the small number of people who live on the doorstep of our caves and are intent on visiting them as part of your exercise, we urge you to respect the restrictions on who you can exercise with, and to ensure your exercise regime is low risk and well within your capabilities.// | ||
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+ | //We can't wait to bring you better news over the coming months and to see a return to caving in our region very soon."// | ||
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+ | As before it is up to the individual to decide whether or not it is possible for them to cave, but in addition to the following CNCC advice please be aware of the potential impression you may be making on landowners and local residents. We rely upon their goodwill for continued access and it would be terrible if the actions of a few result in reduced access once national restrictions start to be lifted. | ||
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+ | Ed Waters (CSCC Chairman)\\ | ||
+ | 9th Jan 2021 | ||
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+ | Dear Southern Cavers, | ||
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+ | 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:// | ||
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+ | One of the issues as regards caving is that you can only leave home for specific purposes, one of which being; | ||
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+ | **"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" | ||
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+ | If caving is considered to provide a form of " | ||
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+ | * **“You should avoid travelling in or out of your local area, and you should look to reduce the number of journeys you make.”** | ||
+ | * **“you can and should still travel for a number of reasons, including … exercise, if you need to make a short journey to do so.”** | ||
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+ | 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, | ||
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+ | A rescue during the lockdown would be a major issue for Mendip Cave Rescue | ||
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+ | 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:// | ||
- | Latest from [[https:// | + | Ed Waters (CSCC Chairman) & Martin Grass (Hon Secretary MCR)\\ |
+ | 2nd November 2020 | ||
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- | BCA have issued a series of useful updates on the coronavirus and how it related to caving. See the [[https:// | + | BCA have issued a series of useful updates on the coronavirus and how it related to caving. See the [[https:// |
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+ | 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. | ||
- | For the latest on how coronavirus is affecting | + | Longleat are not adverse to reinstating caver access |
+ | Discussions have recommenced and both parties are hopeful of a favourable and positive outcome, however in the meantime all the caves are closed. | ||
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+ | 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. | ||
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+ | [[canda@cscc.org.uk|Graham Price]]\\ | ||
+ | Conservation & Access Officer\\ | ||
+ | 11th Oct 2020 | ||
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