News Archives 2009-2010
This archive will record the entries made during the year; these are removed from the main page with publication of each new edition of Descent and relate to news received too late to appear in print. They are thus linked to a two-month period while that issue was extant and are maintained as a reference to previous reports.
Another Three Counties link
A team of cavers, including caving and non-caving members of the Misty Mountain Mud Mining Corporation, have made a connection between Ireby Fell Cavern and Rift Pot. This links Lancashire with Yorkshire underground and represents one of the last two key connections to remain in the Three Counties System. Ireby now contains a border control and a mud sign saying ‘Welcome to Lancashire’. A full article on this major success will appear in Descent (215), published on 7 August. This special edition is not to be missed. (Descent 214).
Cave fatality trial
The trial relating to the death of Joseph Lister in Manchester Hole was still ongoing when Descent (214) went to print, and the report in that issue was therefore only a partial one. When the trial concluded, it brought a verdict of not guilty. A full report will appear in Descent (215). (Descent 214).
Real rescues
Real Rescues is a television series which transmits in a morning slot on BBC1; it is hosted by Nick Knowles and takes a behind-the-scenes look at the emergency services and the work that they do. The programme has proved popular and the makers, Topical TV, have been commissioned to produce two more series to follow the two already screened and would like to include caving in the presentation.
The films often use archive footage shot by the public or the services themselves, combining this with news coverage and interviews with both those involved in the rescue and the service personnel. Topical is therefore hoping that cavers will have shot some footage at some time in the past that they can use as the basis of a programme. If you have any, or know of any, please contact the assistant producer Paula Tonks by phone (023 8071 2233) or e-mail (paula.tonks [at] topical.co.uk). She is keen to feature at least one cave rescue in the forthcoming two series. (Descent 214).
Caving talk: free entry (pay to leave)
Dave and Sue Ryall are presenting a talk on caving 'From Ingleborough to Vancouver Island' in Langcliffe Village Institute near Settle in the Yorkshire Dales at 7.30pm on Saturday 19 June. Scurrilous tales are promised ... Entry is free but donations are welcome (required!) in support of the institute. (Descent 214)
Caves on TV
Cavers able to receive BBC 1 Wales should tune in to Iolo Williams' new series on wildlife beginning at 9pm on Sunday 9 May. Included is a visit to Daren Cilau, filmed by Gavin Newman. The series is in English and is due to be repeated in September in all regions; details will appear in Descent when known. (Descent 214)
Giant's damage
On 6 April damage in Giant's Hole was reported to DCA. The damage occurred in a remote area beyond the reach of 'non-cavers', the terminal chamber of Wet Inlets. The vandals broke stal using a rock, including one section a metre long. The floor was described as 'a scene of calcite genocide'.
Giant's Hole is a SSSI and protected by law. Natural England and DCA are both keen to identify the culprits. If you have seen any damage in the cave, please report this with a date to help to tie this down. Photographs are required of the intact chamber to help to assess the damage. And of course, any information that might lead to identifying those responsible. To offer information, e-mail Dave Webb: conservation-off [at] thedca.org.uk. (Descent 213)
Draenen access
Descent (213) contains a report on access to Ogof Draenen, specifically concerning the entrance dug at Drws Cefn without the landowners’ knowledge or permission and placing all access at risk. Here is the update from the Pwll Du CMG:
After a period of uncertainty regarding future access to Ogof Draenen, the PDCMG can now confirm that ongoing access to the cave has been secured. However, the conditions attached to this access are that it is only to be via the original entrance to the cave. Any further attempts to open or otherwise use other entrances to the cave on land owned by Pwll Du Conservation Ltd will result in termination of the current access agreement. We therefore ask all cavers to respect the terms of access.
Details of obtaining a key appear in a separate report, below. (Descent 213)
Shop closure
A report in Descent (213) on p5 concerns a new Caveclimb.com shop opening in Buckfastleigh. After Descent went to print, the announcement was made that the shop had closed permanently as the level of trade had proved too low to sustain it. (Descent 213)
Ogof Draenen lock
By request of the landowners, the lock on Ogof Draenen has been changed from a combination lock to one requiring a key. The new high security lock (keys cannot be copied without a security certificate) was installed on the weekend of 21 March. To gain access, clubs and cavers must now:
Apply for a key by post, with a letter on club letterheaded paper detailing when the key is required, together with a deposit cheque for £10 payable to PDCMG (Pwll Du Cave Management Group) and an addressed jiffy bag with correct postage for a large package (check new postal rates that apply from April). Send your request to Sue Mabbett, PDCMG Secretary, 2 Garth Close, Morganstown, Cardiff CF15 8LF. The cheque will be destroyed on return of the key.
Or, if your club is designated as one with permanent access and thus holds its own key, enquire from your club secretary whether a new key is available for use. (Descent 213)
Bulgarian caves
The Bulgarian Federation of Speleology has asked clubs and cavers to sign an online petition to show support for its stance in cave conservation, specifically to raise political awareness concerning caves in Bulgaria in the hope of introducing legal protection. Read more HERE. (Descent 213)
Irish forum
The Irish Student Caving Forum is being held over Easter weekend, 2-5 April, in the Leitrim Lakes Youth Hostel, Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim. Hosted by Queens University Belfast CC, the event costs €40 – for further information e-mail: qubcc [at] yahoogroups.com. (Descent 212)
Hidden Earth 2010
Details of the 2010 Hidden Earth national caving conference have been announced. The event will return to the high school in Leek for the weekend of 24 to 26 September. More details will appear in Descent as they are released. (Descent 212)
Irish Speleology
Irish Speleology (18) is reviewed in the current issue, but the price has been changed since Descent went to print. The price is now £9 or €10 for the issue, or £12 or €14 including postage to the UK. Make cheques payable to SUI and send orders to: Matthew Parkes, Natural History Museum, Merrion Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Contact information for enquiries appears in Descent. (Descent 212)
A busy OFD
The West Brecon CRT is running a rescue practice at OFD on 20 March. Cavers should be aware that this will involve a stretcher carry and a lot of people in the OFD1 and 1.5 region of the cave throughout the day so if you intend undertaking a normal trip, take this into account. (Descent 212)
Job opportunity
The National Cave and Karst Research Institute in the USA is expanding its staff to include an Advancement Director, who will help with fundraising and promoting the organisation. Applications are being accepted until 15 March: more information appears HERE. (Descent 212)
Tir Cymru
An S4C documentary series, Tir Cymru, is devoting its programme on 17 January at 9pm to underground Wales. For those not in Wales, S4C is the Welsh language channel; English subtitles are available on the 17th, or they are embedded in the screening in the repeat the following Thursday. Underground footage was shot by Gavin Newman. (Descent 212)
Swildon's Hole
On 27 November 2009 movement was again reported in the entrance to Swildon's Hole on Mendip. Water had undermined some of the slabs and these had to be lowered to make the area safer. Even so, this part of the cave remained unstable, especially given the heavy rainfall that continued into December. As the entrance area was not considered safe, in mid-December Swildon's Hole was closed by the landowner. No visits until further notice ... (Descent 211)
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