Belfry Bulletin Number 108

Vol. 10 No.108

December 1956

A very Merry Xmas to all our members friends and readers all over the world.

ISLANDS AND HIGHLANDS

by J.S. Pembry Leaving Manchester on Sunday Oct. 7th Glencoe village was reached after roaring through the Glen in a gale at speeds above the ton – the wildest drive I can remember. It always rains at Ballachulish and Monday was no exception! Stores were taken on at Fort William and a visit made to the Handicrafts Exhibition (Harris Socks 4/6 a pair!). Near Glen Nevis we became airborne at speed, my head hitting the roof. Through the great Glen and glorious sunshine to Invergarry and left turn towards Kyle of Loch – fifty-three miles of single track mountain road, lochs and the wild glory of autumn colour. On those roads a corner usually coincides with a hump, the nose of your car rises and you look up at the sky until she drops – and you see another hump a few feet away… Beware!! Sixteen shillings return over the sea to Skye and forty miles on the island to the Cuillin, but never was money better spent. Go to Mrs. Sutherland’s at Glenbrittle and all will be well for 3/6 per night and all round but the food, which you MUST take with you – No shops, no pub and the grocer calls once a week.

The first evening saw my dream of a sunset in the Isles come true – such beauty I never before could imagine existed in the British Isles. The next day there were blue, blue mountains, blue sea, blue sky and blue islands, and the spirit was uplifted to ecstatic heights as was also the body – to the summit of Sgurr Doarg, and the view of the main ridge and such mountains as Skye alone can offer.

Day two was a little showery yet the top of Alistair was dead calm while a great gale thundered up the stone chute thick with hail and impossible without a suit of armour. In a few minutes all was white with snow and thunder rolled. We descended to the immense slabs below Coir ‘A’ Ghrunnda where the water of the stream was returned as spray to the mountain by the great force of wind. Thursday was wet.

Friday was sunny and saw the longest trip of the vac. We had quite an adventurous climax creeping along unknown narrow ledges in a snow storm to by-pass Bidein Druim Nan Ramh and so crossing the main ridge and climbing down the steep gullies to Glenbrittle.

Saturday saw the return to the mainland, the car garaged in an hotel and the boat for Stornoway taken on a glassy sea. Two choirs entertained us with Gaelic songs and an accordion played for dancing on board.

The singing over the water is something I shall never forget.

Sunday was spent in Stornoway – no buses, shops, snack bars or cinemas – only the Kirk. The singing was really inspiring and only a few seats were left in the church. Never is such a thing seen South of the Border.

Monday came, and we took THE bus to Harris. The bus is also Postman, grocer, milkman, newsagent and general carrier. From the top of Clisham was a sight I have waited for years to see – a sea of clouds with the peaks above in the sun. This was indeed worth the crossing of the Minch. We left Stornoway by boat at 12.30 and after an evening visit to a big spinning mill, and by Tuesday evening I was alone in camp at Torrindon listening to the dismal roar of the stags in the throes of their armours.

Wednesday was cloudy but the highest mountain in Ross was climbed and the entire ridge of the Liathach traversed, again to the music of the deer. Thursday and away to Inverness passing through the sunlit wonders of the Highlands. After an excellent night at a Guest House at Dingwall, Friday found us on the summit of Cairngorm with one of the finest views in Scotland – but there was not an Eagle in sight although we did see Ptarmigan, which are quite rare.

Saturday was a day of rest at Inverness and on Sunday – the last and (dammit!) the finest day of the fortnight, the 410 miles to Manchester was covered in eight hours, the Blackpool traffic holding us up or the trip would have been faster still. So ended a truly glorious vac. in some of the finest scenery in Europe.

Haste ye back again to Scotland.

J.S. Pembry

BB108/3 A CHRISTMAS PARTY The Axbridge Caving Group & Archaeological Society are holding another Christmas Party at the Red Lion Hotel, Axbridge on the 22nd December at 7.30pm (Saturday). There will be the usual games of darts, skittles & snooker etc. Charge is 1/- per head to cover the cost of the room. B.E.C. members are cordially invited. o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o ADDITIONS TO CLUB LIBRARY British Caver Speleog Speleog Wessex Cave Club The News of N.S.S. The News of N.S.S. The News of N.S.S. The News of N.S.S. The News of N.S.S. The News of N.S.S Cave & Crag Club Newsletter South Wales Cave Club – Newsletter South Wales Cave Club – Newsletter Devon Spelaeological Society Newsletter Devon Spelaeological Society Newsletter Devon Spelaeological Society Newsletter Devon Spelaeological Society Newsletter Devon Spelaeological Society Newsletter Cave Science The Speleologist Walks and Climbs in Malta Camertonia the Journal of the Camerton Excavation Club C.R.G. Newsletter Biological Supplement C.R.G. B.C.C.C. Newsletter

Vol. 27 1956 Vol. 3 No. 1 and 2 1955 Vol. 3 No. 3 and 4 1955 No. 56 May 1956 Vol. 12 No. 12 Dec. 1954 Vol. 14 No. 4 April 1956 Vol. 14 No. 5 May 1956 Vol. 14 No. 6 June 1956 Vol. 14 No. 7 July 1956 Vol. 14 No. 8 Aug. 1956 Vol. 5 No. 2 March 1956 No. 15 May 1956 No. 16 July 1956 No. 44 April 1955 No. 45 July 1955 No. 46 Sept. 1955 No. 47 Feb. 1956 No. 48 Mar. 1956 No. 26 1956 1956

Your Librarian is: -

John Ifold, Leigh House, Nempnett, Chew Stoke, Somerset.

July-Aug. 1956 No. 58 & 59 Vol. 5 No. 3 June 1956

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o AN UNDERWATER TORCH The G.E.C. have now produced a watertight torch suitable for underwater use. In the past, various firms have produced torches labelled ‘Watertight’ but from practical experiences, have found the majority of these although suitable for use in rain are useless for Diving.

This G.E.C. Underwater Torch is however, specifically designed for Underwater use and is treated to resist the action of salt water and is guaranteed completely watertight in either Salt or Fresh water to a depth of 100ft.

The catalogue No. is BA6061 and the retail price is £2.1.9d plus 8.0d Purchase Tax. If you have any difficulty obtaining same locally send your order to me enclosing the necessary cash.

T.H. Stanbury. o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

BB108/4 LIST OF MEMBERS 1956/7 If your name has been wrongly omitted from this list please accept my apologies and let me know. This also applies to any incorrect of incomplete addresses.

R.J. Bagshaw Hon. Sec. 135, Danson Road, Bexley, Kent.

306 Andrew T.O. 4, Bridge Road, Shortwood, Nr, Mangostfield, Bristol.

236 Attwood J. 56, Ponsford Road, Knwole, Bristol. 4.

20 Bagshaw R.J. 26, Bennett Gardens, Norbury, London, S.W.16.

358 Balcombe D.J. 29, Pearle Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire.

295 Hall A.H. 7, Pickhurst Lane, Hayes, Bromley, Kent.

368 Barrington N. 2, Upper Perry Hill, Southville, Bristol. 3.

290 Bater R. 37, Queens Road, Ashley Down, Bristol. 7.

214 Bennett R.H. Lower Lodge, Weston Park House, Weston Park, Bath.

370 Beynon W.L. 66, Wessex Avenue, Horfield, Bristol. 7.

364 Blogg. P.M. 42, Air Balloon Road, St. George, Bristol. 5.

336 Borner A. 120, Wilbury Road, Letchworth.

145 Bowden-Lyle S. Miss 10, Weston Avenue, Cossham Road, St. George, Bristol. 5.

36 Brain R.G. 392, Victoria Road, Ruislip, Middlesex.

320 Brooks N. 5, Ormerod Road, Stoke Bishop, Bristol. 9.

349 Brown R. 3, Manor House, Rothamsted, Harpendon, Herts.

190 Burt P.E. 3, Manor House, Rothamsted, Harpendon, Herts.

209 Burt Mrs. 37, Southcote Rise, Ruislip, Middlesex.

361 Busson B. Miss c/o T. Barber Esq., Coppinton Farm, Wellesbourne, Nr. Warwick.

201 Buxton J. c/o T. Barber Esq., Coppinton Farm, Wellesbourne, Nr. Warwick.

328 Buxton Mrs. 19, Churchill Road, Wells, Somerset.

357 Carter R. 50, Elmdale Road, Bedminster, Bristol. 3.

354 Cassell L.C. 102, Egerton Road Bishopston, Bristol. 7.

366 Chamberlain B.R. Batsford, Lower Failand, Nr. Bristol.

54 Coase D.A. 89 Collins S.J. 1, Kensington Place, Clifton, Bristol.

344 Copeley-Jones B. The White House, Dolberrow, Churchill, Somerset.

71 Crawford A.J. 3, Hillside, Harefield, Nr, Uxbridge, Middlesex.

369 Dale M.B. 57, Kingsway Avenue, Kingswood, Bristol. 5.

352 Davies T. 154, Boston Manor Road, Brentford, Middlesex.

226 Dear I.A. Sowter Lodge, North Quay, Weymouth, Dorset.

164 Dobbs F.C. 97, Heath Barton, Whipton, Exeter.

325 Dunn A.M. 70, The Crescent, Henleaze, Bristol.

331 Etough J.A. 116, Newbridge Road, St. Annes Park, Bristol. 4.

322 Ellis B. 24, Ludwick Way, Welwyn Garden City, Herts.

263 England D. 15, Springleaze, Knowle, Bristol. 4.

355 Fairman D. Miss Cranmore View, Priddy, Nr. Wells.

232 Falshaw C.P. 50, Rockside Drive, Henleaze, Bristol.

338 Fielder R.J. 189, Divinity Road, Oxford.

371 Fincham A. 1, Leeds University Union, Leeds. 2.

269 Fletcher T.E. The Old Mill House, Barnack, Nr. Stamford, Lincs.

278 Fowler G.A. 77, Kingshill Road, Knowle, Bristol. 4.

251 Gardner K.S. 22, Wesley Hill, Kingswood, Bristol.

268 Gee S. 40, Church Road, Heaton Noris, Stockport, Cheshire.

350 George A. Miss “Beeches”, Priddy, Nr. Wells, Somerset.

90 Gommo D.J. 46, Beckington Road, Knowle, Bristol. 4.

346 Griffiths G.H. 164, St. Johns Lane, Bedminster, Bristol. 3.

318 Groves N.K. 6, Woodchester Road, Henleaze, Bristol.

239 Gwinnel D. 78, Days Road, Bristol. 5.

104 Hannam M. 14B, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton, Bristol. 8.

304 Harris C.W. 14, Market Place, Wells, Somerset.

4 Hasell D.H. Hill House, Moorlynch, Nr. Bridgwater, Somerset.

333 Houghton E. 35, Mackie Avenie, Filton, Bristol.

319 Hunt D.G. 19, Spring Street, Cadoxton, Barry, Glamorgan.

335 Hurcombe S. Miss M.S. Heron, R.N.A.S. Yeovilton, Yeovil, Somerset.

BB108/5 97 150 363 340 225 285 289 316 332 260 275 106 334 339 308 121 347 362 287 327 22 160 146 56 118 337 342 291 138 258 241 343 157 367 240 237 213 78 356 307 324 360 276 38 1 365 60 284 348 326 353 359 175 79 228 351 341

Ifold J.W. Ifold P. Isles M.W. Jenkins R.L. Jones M. Jones U. Kemp D. King R. Lacy D.J. Lamb J. Marriott C.A. Mason E.J. Mitchell D. Mossman T.G. Murray K.H. Newman R. Nichols C. Nicholson F. Osborn T.J. Miss Pegram J. Peters L. Petty N.J. Pink T. Platten G. Preston A.R. Prewer B.E. Price R.J. Radmoer D. Ratcliffe T. Rees C. Rice A.L.C. Rich A. Rollason J. Miss Rowley J. Sandall A.J.E. Scott B. Setterington R. Setterington R.A. Setterington Mrs Skinner J. Smith R.M. Sneddon B. Stafford J.M. Stanbury I.M. Mrs. Stanbury T.H. Stenner R. Stewart P.A.E. Thomas A.R. Thomas D.M. Towler E. Tregoning A. Venn C.F. Miss Waddon J. Wallis R.M. Willis D.A. Willis Mrs. Woodford R.A.

Leigh House, Nempnett, Chew Stoke, Somerset.

Sunnyside, Rectory Lane, Compton Martin.

33, Greenleaze, Knowle Park, Bristol. 4.

5, North Street, Downend, Bristol.

12, Melton Crescent, Horfield, Bristol. 7.

3, Durham Street, Elswich Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

17, Becmead Avenue, Streatham, London, S.W.16.

1, Lynmouth Road, Bristol. 2.

31, Devon Grove, Whitehall, Bristol.5.

365, Filton Avenue, Bristol. 7.

718, Muller Road, Eastville, Bristol. 5.

11, Kendon Drive, Wellington Hill West, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol.

2, Selwood Road, From, Somerset. c/o Y.M.C.A. Colston Street, Bristol.

17, Harrington Gardens, South Kensington, London, S.W.7.

63, Sandling Avenue, Horfield, Bristol. 7.

“Gen Fou”, Welwyn Heath, Welwyn, Herts.

60, Christchurch Street, East Frome, Somerset.

389, Filton Avenue, Horfield, Bristol. 7.

4, Moffats Lane, Brookmans Park, Hatfield, Herts.

21, Melbury Road, Knowle, Bristol. 4.

12, Bankside Road, Brislington, Bristol. 4.

53, Burnthwaite Road, Fulham, London, S.W.6.

Rotherfield, Fernhill Lane, New Milton, Hants.

43, West Town Lane, Brsilington, Bristol. 4.

14, Egerton Road, Bath, Somerset.

Somermead, Bedminster, Bristol.3.

22, St. Michaels Park, Bristol. 2.

31, Berkeley Square, Bristol. 8.

2, Burghill Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol.

20, Filton Avenue, Horfield, Bristol. 7.

8, Trelawney Road, Brislington, Bristol. 4.

157, Pen Park Road, Southmead, Bristol.

52, Granby Hill, Clifton, Bristol. 8.

35, Beauchamp Road, Bristol. 7.

22, Bishop Road, Bishopston, Bristol. 7.

86, Grand Drive, Raynes Park, London, S.W. 20.

89, Kingston Road, Taunton, Somerset.

89, Kingston Road, Taunton, Somerset.

12, Hurst Walk, Filwood Park, Bristol. 4.

24, Marlborough Street, St. James, Bristol. 2.

9, Newfields, Welwyn Garden City, Herts.

91, Hawthorne Street, Knowle, Bristol. 4.

74, Redcatch Road, Knowle, Bristol. 4.

48, Novers Park Road, Knowle. Bristol. 4.

38, Paultow Road, Victoria Park, Bristol. 3.

131, St. Peters Rise, Bishopsworth, Bristol. 3.

Kingdown Manor School, Kingsdown, Somerset.

1, Ashburton Road, Shirehampton, Bristol.

11, St. Philips Road, London, E.8.

38, Station Road, Shirehampton, Bristol.

108, Bishop Road, Bishopston, Bristol. 7.

7, Haydon Road, Taunton, Somerset.

“Swildons”, 343, Upton Lane, Widnes, Lancs.

25, Chamberlain Street, Wells Somerset.

25, Chamberlain Street, Wells Somerset.

80, Torrington Road, Ruislip, Middlesex.