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| - | Dear Southern Cavers, | + | [[news: |
| + | The latest issue of the CSCC Newsletter is now available to read online. | ||
| - | 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. | + | < |
| - | 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 and Portland, any arguments over whether this action is legal or not will have to be taken up with the Justice system and at the very least will result in a great deal of hassle for anyone involved. Possibly more significant however is the potential impact upon the close relationships that have been built up over the decades with the local community who may well take a dim view if they regularly see cavers who have obviously travelled some distance. This will especially be the case if a COVID outbreak occurs in a caving area. It also goes without saying that a rescue would both provide great practical difficulties to MCR as well as being detrimental to the standing of cavers with the local communities. | + | </ |
| + | </ | ||
| - | 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 in the future. | + | <col xs=" |
| - | + | <panel type=" | |
| - | All the best, and hope to see you underground before much longer, | + | [[news: |
| - | Ed Waters (CSCC Chair)\\ | + | 5th October 2022 |
| - | 24th Feb 2021 | + | |
| </ | </ | ||
| </ | </ | ||
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| - | <panel type="danger" title=" | + | <panel type="primary" title=" |
| + | {{ : | ||
| + | The gate at Compton martin Ochre Mine has needed replacement for some time, after the old gate rusted away. | ||
| - | === From Charterhouse Caving Company Ltd === | + | This has now been completed, so please remember to bring a CSCC key if you are visiting. |
| - | "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 as it did before, but should be considered loose due to the recent fall. The top part is calcited but might be subject to further falls, although it is equally possible that it might not change for a long time. However, as assessing such future possibilities is not an exact science, care should be taken here, and everyone should conduct their own risk assessments whenever they approach this area from any direction. There are still loose rocks almost covering the steps and when inspected it was not possible to pass the steps without using the unconsolidated debris. The floor below the climb is currently covered with unconsolidated debris and the boulders here will move underfoot when stepped on, so care should also be taken here. | + | < |
| - | 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, | + | 1st June 2022 |
| - | + | ||
| - | Graham Mullan\\ | + | |
| - | Secretary\\ | + | |
| - | Charterhouse Caving Company Ltd\\ | + | |
| - | [[secretary@charterhouse-caving-company.ltd.uk]]\\ | + | |
| - | 8th Feb 2021 | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | [[news: | + | |
| </ | </ | ||
| </ | </ | ||
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| - | Dear Southern Cavers, | + | {{ : |
| + | Following the email yesterday regarding reports of loose rock in Rhino Rift, Andrew Atkinson, CSCC’s Equipment & Techniques Officer, supported by Sioned Haughton, visited the cave at the request of CCC Ltd on the evening of Monday 17th January. | ||
| - | 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; | + | Following |
| - | //"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.// | + | < |
| - | //Some of you will be wondering about provisions for exercise, potentially including caving, during lockdown. | + | 18th January 2022 |
| - | 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).// | + | </panel> |
| + | </col> | ||
| - | //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 | + | <col xs=" |
| + | <panel type=" | ||
| + | {{ : | ||
| + | Following | ||
| - | //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.// | + | Arrangements for future access are under discussion |
| - | //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."// | + | **In the meantime all visits should be avoided.** |
| - | 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. | + | < |
| - | Ed Waters (CSCC Chairman)\\ | + | 8th July 2021 |
| - | 9th Jan 2021 | + | |
| </ | </ | ||
| </ | </ | ||
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| - | <panel type="danger" title=" | + | <panel type="warning" title=" |
| - | Dear Southern Cavers, | + | {{ : |
| - | As most all of you will be aware, the government announced on Saturday that new lockdown measures | + | Following requests from concerned locals, a CSCC padlock |
| - | One of the issues as regards caving is that you can only leave home for specific purposes, one of which being; | + | < |
| - | **"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" | + | 9th June 2021 |
| + | </ | ||
| + | </ | ||
| - | If caving is considered to provide a form of "outdoor exercise" | + | <col xs="12" |
| + | <panel type=" | ||
| + | {{ : | ||
| + | From Mendip Cave Rescue | ||
| - | * **“You should avoid travelling in or out of your local area, and you should look to reduce the number of journeys you make.”** | + | MCR has had to restructure itself |
| - | * **“you can and should still travel for a number of reasons, including … exercise, if you need to make a short journey | + | |
| - | 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, | + | < |
| - | 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, | + | 26th May 2021 |
| - | + | </ | |
| - | 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:// | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Ed Waters (CSCC Chairman) & Martin Grass (Hon Secretary MCR)\\ | + | |
| - | 2nd November 2020 | + | |
| - | </ | + | |
| </ | </ | ||
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| - | <panel type="danger" title=" | + | <panel type="primary" title=" |
| + | {{ :news: | ||
| + | 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 ... | ||
| - | BCA have issued a series of useful updates on the coronavirus and how it related to caving. See the [[https:// | + | <btn>[[news:2020_10_11_access_to_caves_in_cheddar_gorge|Read more ...]]</ |
| + | 11th Oct 2020 | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| <col xs=" | <col xs=" | ||
| - | <panel type="danger" title=" | + | <panel type="info" title=" |
| - | + | [[https://british-caving.org.uk/news/|{{ :bca-logo-mini-white.png? | |
| - | BCRC have issued a press release on the coronavirus giving guidance should a return to underground activity become available. See the [[https://www.caverescue.org.uk/cave-rescue-coronavirus-update/|BCRC Website]]. | + | {{rss> |
| </ | </ | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| <col xs=" | <col xs=" | ||
| - | <panel type="primary" title=" | + | <panel type="danger" title=" |
| - | Further to the decision by Longleat to close the show caves and suspend their operations | + | [[https:// |
| + | **Any weather warnings for southern England | ||
| - | 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. | + | {{rss> |
| - | + | {{rss> | |
| - | 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\\ | + | |
| - | 11th Oct 2020 | + | |
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