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--- start [30 Oct 2020 17:54]
cookie [Home] Update BCA covid link
+++ start [04 Mar 2021 19:57]
admin [Welcome] Open Graph image for Facebook, etc
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+/* NB These commands need to be here. They help external sites (Facebook, Google, etc) to understand this page better. */
+/* If you wish you can edit the title or description, add to the keywords (search terms) or change the image. */
+/* Only edit the bit between the ( ) brackets. */
+{{htmlmetatags>
+metatag-robots=(index, follow)
+metatag-og:type=(Website)
+metatag-keywords=(caves, caving, potholing)
+metatag-og:title=(Council of Southern Caving Clubs)
+metatag-media-og:image=(:logo-2021.png)
+metatag-og:description=(The Council of Southern Caving Clubs is an association of Caving Clubs whose main interests lie in the Mendip Hills of Somerset.)
+}}
+====== Welcome ======
 <grid>
 <col xs="12" sm="6" md="4" lg="4">
-<panel type="primary" title="Cerberus Spelaeological Society. Larkshall Available For Bookings">
+<panel type="primary" title="Message from Chairman re Covid">
-{{ :cerberus_logo.jpg?direct |}}
+Dear Southern Cavers,
-Cerberus have re-opened Larkshall to members and guests on a very limited basis with effect from 1st October 2020.
-All Government legislation and guidance has been taken into account in producing our operating rules which are available online. For booking information visit:  [[http://www.cerberusspeleo.org.uk/larkshall_bookings.htm|Larkshall Bookings]].
+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.
-Larkshall is available to members and guests on a first come first served basis. The maximum number of users on the premises is twelve in a maximum number of two groups of six.
+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.
-All users must book through [[hostelbookings@cerberusspeleo.org.uk]] or contact the bookings officer directly on 07723-006520 who will explain and provide all the relevant documentation.
+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.
-CSS Hostel Warden\\
+All the best, and hope to see you underground before much longer,
-Oct 2020
-</panel>
+Ed Waters (CSCC Chair)\\
+th Feb 2021
+</panel>
 </col>
 <col xs="12" sm="6" md="4" lg="4">
-<panel type="primary" title="Annual J’Rat Digging Awards – 21st Nov 2020">
+<panel type="danger" title="WARNING - Rockfall in G.B. Cave">
-{{ :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!
-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.
+=== From Charterhouse Caving Company Ltd ===
-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.
+"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.
-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]]
+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, 10(2) , pp 149-188 available from [[https://www.ubss.org.uk/resources/proceedings/vol10/UBSS_Proc_10_2_149-188.pdf]]), which states that there is much fault breccia to be found and so events of this nature are likely to occur from time to time."
-More details of the release will follow nearer the main event...
+Graham Mullan\\
+Secretary\\
+Charterhouse Caving Company Ltd\\
+[[secretary@charterhouse-caving-company.ltd.uk]]\\
+th Feb 2021
-Estelle Sandford\\
+[[news:2021_02_02_rockfall_in_g.b._cave|More info ...]]
-Oct 2020
+</panel>
+</col>
+<col xs="12" sm="6" md="4" lg="4">
+<panel type="danger" title="CSCC: Coronavirus Lockdown Mark 3">
+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;
+//"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.
+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).//
+//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.//
+//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.//
+//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."//
+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)\\
+th Jan 2021
+</panel>
+</col>
+<col xs="12" sm="6" md="4" lg="4">
+<panel type="danger" title="CSCC and MCR: Joint Statement on Coronavirus Lockdown Mk 2 and Caving in the South">
+Dear Southern Cavers,
+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]].
+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"**
+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;
+  * **“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.”**
+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>
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 </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>