Belfry Bulletin Number 317

25

Vol XXVIII No.3

B 74 B

March 1974

No. 317

QUODCUMQUE FACIENDUM : NIMIS FACIEMUS -CONTENTS-

Editorial A New O.S. Map B.B. Reprint No. 1 (Stoke Lane Withybrook etc.)

Round and About B.B. Suggestions Don Coase Lecture Crossword No. 44

BRISTOL EXPLORATION CLUB

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The Belfry, Wells Rd, Priddy, Wells, Somerset.

Telephone WELLS 72126 - CLUB COMMITTEE -

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Chairman Minutes Sec Members

S.J. Collins G. Wilton-Jones M. Bishop, D.J. Irwin, D. Stuckey, G. Oaten, N. Taylor, A.R. Thomas, B. Wilton,

OFFICERS OF THE CLUB Honorary Secretary Honorary Treasurer Caving Secretary Climbing Secretary Hut Warden Belfry Engineer Tacklemaster B.B. Editor Honorary Librarian Publications Editor B.B. Postal

A.R THOMAS, Allen’s House, Nine Barrows Lane, Priddy, Wells Somerset.

Tel: PRIDDY 269 B. WILTON, 27 Venus Lane, Clutton, Nr. Bristol.

D. STUCKEY, ADDRESS LETTERS TO THE BELFRY G. OATEN, Address to follow N. TAYLOR, Whiddons, Chilcote, Somerset. Tele : WELLS 72338 M. BISHOP, Address to follow G. WILTON-JONES, 17 Monkham’s Drive, Watton, Thetford, Norfolk S.J. COLLINS, Lavender Cottage, Bishops Sutton, Nr. Bristol.

Tel : CHEW MAGNA 2915 D.J IRWIN, Townsend Cottage, Townsend, Priddy, Wells Som. Tel : PRIDDY 369 D.J IRWIN As above BRENDA WILTON Address as above

E d i t o r i al REPRINTING Caving clubs - and the B.E.C. in particular - always seem to go through phases in which news is scarce.

Now that we have the paper supplies ensured, we feel justified in filling the present gap in articles by reprinting - and we hope that the material chosen will bring back memories to some and a glimpse of history to others. In spite of this we would still prefer to fill the B.B. with news of resent club activities.

THAT 14 PERCENT 14% is, according to the paper we read, the amount at which inflation is expected to go this year. The B.B. is, of course, arranging to provide itself with greater than usual stocks of everything by spending no more than the normal annual amount, so that the worst effects of this sort of inflation can be kept at bay, and members provided with more than their current money's worth.

Assuming that individual purchasing power remains constant, then the fact that inflation at this rate will mean that the 1984 annual sub will have risen to £9.26 is of little consequence - since our salaries will have hopefully risen at the same rate. What will have to be faced is the position of our life members.

26 The calculations behind the value of life membership did not, of course, take inflation into account, as this was very low at the time life membership was introduced. At a rate of 14%, the 20 year average period before a life member becomes a liability is down to 9 years. It looks as if, sooner or later, the committee will have to find a way to prevent life members from becoming a drain on club resources without breaking faith with them.

COMPARISONS Comparisons, they say are odious - and maybe so. However talking to the secretary of the Other Club one evening at the Hunters elicited the fact that, when we both raised our subs to £2.50, the B.E.C. lost proportionately about six times as many members as they did. One wonders why and whether it matters.

For instance, why is it that members of the Other Club stay on in greater numbers once their most active days are over but continue to give their club financial and moral support? Have this club something to offer its older members which we have not? Or do they just attract a different sort of member?

It may not, of course, matter. At the last dinner of the club in question, their guest of honour made the point that there were far too many of the same old faces about. I suspect that, as in most things, what you want is the right proportion and I wonder how we stand in this respect. Would anybody like to make any comment on this subject?

“Alfie” _______________________________________________________________________________________

A NEW O.S. MAP

A review of the new O.S. 1:50,000 scale series

by Chris Howell.

The introduction of a new series of O.S. maps is always an event of note - particularly in the case of the "half inch" and "one inch" scales so beloved by the informed country goer. The introduction of a map on an entirely new scale is doubly interesting, and must be an event without precedent for the majority of our readers.

Some years ago, the O.S. indicated its intention to metricate all its maps and plans, and discussions followed as to the form that the new series was to take. The "Two and a half inch" maps were already, in fact, drawn to an actual scale of 1:25,000 and presented no problems. The Six inch maps (1:10,560) clearly had to become 1:10,000 and the 25 inch maps (1:2,534.4) similarly could become 1;2,500. The problem series was the One Inch - where the scale fell between the convenient figures of 1:50,000 and 1:100,000.

It must have been with some relief that the majority of users of these maps learned some twelve months ago that the new maps were to be at the larger scales (or nearly 1¼ inches to the mile). The results of the O.S. labours, or at least half of the results, are now with us in the form of the new 1:50,000 First and Second Series maps published in 103 sheets for the area south of a line from approximately Lancaster to Bridlington.

The remaining 101 sheets will be published in 1876.

Although the change in linear scale may seem insignificant, the effect is starling, with an increase in the region of 62%. (If you don’t believe it, work it out for yourself!) Not surprisingly, one’s immediate impression on viewing the new sheets is one of clarity and an increased sense of space.

Perhaps it should be explained at this point that the new First Series maps are straightforward photographic enlargements of the old One Inch sheets, although based on new sheet lines which do not, in the majority of cases, coincide with the previous ones. To quote the O.S. blurb on the inside cover of the new maps; 'By using a special technique it has been possible to avoid much of the effect of enlargement on the thickness of the lines' - a justified claim, since the increase in line thickness is only obvious by direct comparison between the old and new maps.

27 Other new features are a change in format, with removal of symbols and explanatory notes from the bottom to the right hand side of the sheet, and a change in cover and sheet measurements from 127 x 215 mm (5" x 8.47") and 705 x 838 mm (27.8" x 33”) to 134 x 227 mm (5.28" x 8.94") and 1000 x 980 mm (39.4" x 38.58”) respectively. The grid lines are now marked in blue instead of black and the contour lines in orange instead of brown.

With what logic the writer can only guess, the new contour lines remain at 50 foot intervals, with markings to the nearest metre! (This is presumably because, being a photographic copy, the contour lines at 50’ intervals have had to be retained; but since the map is supposed to be metric; they have now been marked off in metres - Ed.) This results in such ludicrous markings along the contours, as 15, 46, 61, 76,107, 122, 137 etc. Fortunately this seems to be about the only serious criticism that can be levelled against the new maps.

Perhaps one of the obvious changes is in the colour coding of classified roads. Motorways become blue (previously red) and B roads orange (previously brown). If, like - the writer, you happen to be red/green colour blind, I think you will find these changes very much to your liking.

New symbols are introduced for built-up areas, orchards and woods. Housing becomes an orange stipple (previously black stipple) orchards become a green stipple (previously black tree symbols) and woods become solid green (previously black symbols on green). At least the built-up areas look less depressing now!

The old 1" sheet 165 has now become sheet 182 (albeit with 5 kilometres taken from its Northern border) and a comparison between the old and new reveals some welcome corrections of the courses of tracks and footpaths. One notable omission appears to be the Belfry - although the Sheep Ton is marked! Spot heights are now shown in metres with Blackdown bearing a paltry figure '312'. New 'Danger Area' legends adorn the area round Haydon Grange.

The attentive reader will have noted a reference to a Second Series of these sheets, of which so far only three appear to have been published - namely 115 (Caernarvon and Bangor, covering the main walking and climbing area of North Wales) and 176 and 177 (West and East London). Eventually all the First Series will be redrawn to this standard as each sheet is fully revised.

The Second Series will carry information at present only found on the special 1 inch tourist series, such as view points, camp, caravan and picnic sites, parking sites and toilets. The complete redrawing of the map at the larger scale has provided greatly increased clarity and accuracy of contouring in areas of prominent relief - such as the South Eastern slope of Crib-y-ddysgl which was previously left as a large white hole on the map. On the other hand, the Idwal Slabs are still shown as virtually unbroken hillside!

To anyone who has seen these new sheets, any summing up of mine will be superfluous. The new maps are a magnificent improvement on the old - so if you haven't yet bought yours, then DO SO. There is only one snag. They cost 65p per sheet. Best say it quickly - it doesn't sound so much then! _______________________________________________________________________________________ IMPORTANT NOTICE! THERE HAVE BEEN FURTHER INSTANCES OF UNAUTHORISED USE OF THE BELFRY AND CLUB TACKLE TO SAFEGUARD YOUR PROPERTY:-

DO NOT LEAVE ANY VALUABLE GEAR AT THE BELFRY DO NOT LEND YOUR BELFRY KEY TO ANYBODY AND PLEASE LET NIGEL TAYLOR KNOW IF YOU HAVE INVITED ANY GUESTS – OR IF YOU KNOW OF ANY STRANGERS STAYING AT OR USING THE BELFRY

HELP TO PRESERVE YOUR CLUB PROPERTY

28 INT NUMBER 1 + B.B. REPRINT NUMBER 1 + B.B. REPRINT NUMBER 1 + B.B. REPRINT NUMB These articles on the (then) new discovery of Stoke Lane Slocker appeared in B.B. No 5 for July 1947.

They were in fact, the third and fourth articles to appear in the B.B

STOKE LANE 1947

Discovery of Browne’s Passage – by P.M. Browne.

An exploration party from Bruton, led by myself, made an important cave discovery in Stoke Lane Swallet, one of the least know caverns on Mendip. The members of the party were P.M. BROWNE, D. SAGE AND T.H. UMEACH. During the three hours of our exploration we had the luck to be the discoverers of a new and very interesting series of low tunnels and encrusted grottoes, totalling about 250 feet in length. This new system, now known as Brown’s Passage, doubles back upon the known cave and thereby introduces several very interesting hydrology problems, which I trust will be solved in the near future.

Immediately after the discovery I arranged an expedition with the Club for the following Saturday.

Accordingly the second party to enter the extension, consisting of D.A. COASE, R.A. SETTERINGTON and I, arrived at the little village of Stoke Lane at about 3.00pm on June 7th.

During the preceding four days a considerable amount of rain had fallen on the surrounding land and so, on arriving at the cave mouth, we found the volume of water entering it to be far greater than it had been on the previous trip. In normal weather the entrance of the swallet is dry, or nearly so, but that day the water was thundering over the boulders and pouring into the narrow opening, and on into the darkness beyond. All being in readiness for the adventure I abandoned all thoughts of personal comfort for the following four hours and crawled into the uninviting gateway, to the strange world under the hills. Within a few seconds I was forming an admirable substitute for a leaky drain-pipe, with icy water pouring up the legs of my boiler suit and emerging by means of vents and other outlets somewhere above the knees.

A sudden step enabled us to stand in a narrow keyhole shaped passage, in which the stream foamed and boiled around our feet. Suddenly the passage widened and lowered forcing us to crawl along an arch shaped tunnel of a type very characteristic of this cavern. On the floor the stream flowed through a series of muddy, leech infested pools. At about 30ft. from the entrance the roof rose slightly and we found ourselves on the brink of a large swiftly flowing stream, the main stream of the cavern, coming in from our right. Crawling in the water beneath a low arch we entered a long, narrow rift at the end of which was the first chamber. The murmuring river flowed through the chamber and vanished under a huge boulder at the far end. Looking back along the rift by which we entered this place we saw the lights from the rear of the party beautifully reflected from the surface of the rushing water.

Now began the discomforts of the journey. Climbing over huge blocks of limestone we left the stream and struggled upward through a small and very muddy aperture to a steeply inclined bank of wet, glutinous mud. Below us, on the left, the stream again appeared from under a low arch. From here we had as it were the choice of two evils. One method was by following the water, the level which was just above one’s neck; and the other by what is known as the Muddy ox-bow. I enquired whether it was to be mud or water and the unanimous reply was mud please. At the top of the slope we literally slid through the door shaped opening which gave access to a small muddy grotto preceding one of the most uncomfortable portions of the whole cave. Those who have been through the Devil’s Elbow in G. B. Cave will be able to visualise a similar tunnel, entered through choice of two holes bored through a mass of solid mud, the floor covered by a pool of stagnant water. Dropping into the glue like mixture of mud and water I began to move forward, using my forearms as skids and my feet as barge poles. A sharp bend brought us to a long, narrow, and comparatively dry tunnel, at the far end of which I crossed the stream, which once again came rushing past from a large passage on my left, and turned to watch my companions wallowing through the mud-lined tunnel.

A short tunnel led us to a second chamber, the floor of which was strewn with large cubical boulders.

Creeping through a low arch in the opposite wall, we began one of the most painful crawls I have ever undertaken. The floor was covered by a thick bed of sharp pebbles, over which we crawled beneath a seemingly endless series of very low creeps. At length we came to a fork on the passage. On the left an

29 ascending tunnel led through the ‘Grill Chamber’ to ‘Pat’s Coffin’, and on our right a roundish passage, followed by another short and painful crawl, bought us again to the main steam. From this point we followed the rushing water for about 50 feet along a high passage, in which we noticed some exceedingly fine formations, until it again became necessary to make use of another ox-bow, the walls of this one, together with the floor and roof, being coated with crystalline formations.

In a few more yards the main stream vanished into the wall for the last time (Until the opening of Stoke Lane II). On the left we followed a small stream, which soon vanished through a narrow fissure in the right wall, along a low tunnel at the end of which a short vertical squeeze, followed by a long sandy tunnel, brought us to a high narrow chamber, the floor of which was heaped with a pile of massive rocks cemented together with mud and stalagmite deposit. Straight ahead, a large tunnel stretched away into the gloom, and from it a small stream usually flows, to disappear on reaching the edge of the boulder pile. Some weeks ago this chamber was the scene of the new discovery now known as ‘Browne’s Passage’.

Climbing over the pile of boulders to the far end of the chamber, we dropped one by one through a narrow, irregularly shaped hole in the floor. Twenty feet of awkward crawling brought us to a small chamber with a pile of very unstable boulders, behind which a low tunnel led us to a high sloping grotto with excellent formations. Following a low water-worn tunnel, from the roof of which hung a cluster of well formed straw stalactites, we suddenly found ourselves on the brink of a black and mysterious ‘lake’, covering the floor of a low, wide chamber measuring some 15 feet across. From here we crept along a narrow, arch-shaped tunnel for a considerable distance until we were suddenly faced with the ‘Nutmeg Grater’, a very nasty squeeze. On the return journey we found a by-pass to this section of the tunnel, but this unfortunately this offered us no greater degree of comfort than the ‘Nutmeg Grater’ itself.

A fine series of round, water-worn arches led us to another long and sometimes low tunnel, at the end of which we crawled out into a chamber called’ Cairn Grotto’. (The limit of the first exploration). The grotto was about 25 feet in height, and two possible exits could be seen leading from it. One was an ascending mud tunnel giving access to a sloping mud grotto. The other was a narrow rift, in which the water was about three feet deep. Entering the latter of these two extremely uninviting passages, I dropped into the icy water, beyond a low arch called’ Disappointment Duck’, under which I was forced to submerge to my neck, the tunnel suddenly turned to the left and I found myself in a small chamber in which the water was about five feet deep. A short distance beyond this the walls closed in and the roof dipped below the surface of a dark and horrible pool. Spluttering and cursing, I made my way back to my two companions in ‘Cairn Grotto’.

On the return journey we explored the remaining section of the known cave, an ascending series of tunnels terminating in a small, low chamber.

Somewhere in the vicinity of the ‘Nutmeg Grater’ one of the party was found to be crawling up the narrow passage with what remained of his trousers hanging round his ankles!

After the journey back to the open air, which took us over an hour, we took great delight lying in a nearby waterfall, after which we changed into warm dry clothing once more.

On Sunday June 22nd, the sump at the end of ‘Brown’s Passage’ was dived by D.A. Coase, T.H. Stanbury & F.G. Balcombe. Beyond it was found over 400ft. of cave. On June 28th and 29th,. D.A. Coase and other members of the B.E.C. again dived through, and beyond was discovered one of the largest and most beautiful caverns in the West of England.

Beyond the Cairn Chamber - by D.H. Hasell First of all I must apologise for this article which must, of necessity be very sketchy. I have seen the large chambers, but as I did not intend to write this myself I kept no record of my impressions and I have left the Pukka article by D.A. Coase in Cornwall.

You will remember Pat Brown’s description of the 3ft. puddle, which is the dreaded ‘Trap’. This is plunged rather more easily than, its appearance would indicate, and beyond one enters a tunnel about 5ft. wide and high, with water about 2ft.deep. Down the stream we paddle until we reach the Boulder Ruckle; which is the floor of the first large chamber. From here the cave opens out into a total of 9 large chambers, some of then very beautiful.

30 In one of those chambers is a high scree slope which is littered with bones, some human, some anima1.

Some of these bones have been tentatively identified by an eminent archaeologist. There is evidence of Ox, Sheep or Goat, and Deer, (Probably Red Deer). The human bones present are from at least two skeletons, one of an adolescent and one adult.

Leading off this chamber is the ‘Throne Room’. This is the most beautiful Grotto I have ever seen. It is lined with formations of all colours and dominated by two large stalagmites, one "The King formation which is joined to the roof and the other, ‘The Queen’, which is astonishingly like the statue of Queen Victoria on College Green. Part of this chamber is a beautiful smaller Grotto, now called "Princess Elizabeth’s Grotto’, which has a stalagmite floor studded with clear pools filled with ‘Coral’ formation which form a delightful contrast to the noisome water of the stream in which we have wallowed to reach this beauty. In another chamber, connected by high and low level passages to the ‘Bone Chamber’, is an amazing curtain formation whose edge unlike the more normal curtain, is a cylindrical "carved' pillar more than 20ft. high.

Until the end of July this termination of the new series was a trap, but early in August, Pat Browne, exploring off ‘Princess Elizabeth’s Grotto’ discovered a rift which, he thought bypassed this obstacle. This was confirmed on Aug. 10th, when a small party took a ladder in and carried the exploration a little further.

They have almost reached the river again, but they are stopped by another small vertical.

This very short account will give members some idea of the extent of the new system. Exploration is going forward, and we will be starting on the work of removing the bones as soon as we have found another entrance (or exit).

And finally, in the same issue of the B.B. (Number 5) a comment on the discovery from the Bristol Evening Post. In the manner of 'Punch' it is necessary to explain that the five day week in industry had just come in at the time.

Exploring bravely underground, Some members of a Club have found By squirm an wriggle, squeeze and crawl, The finest Mendip Caves of all, And chief among the wondrous sights, Are stalagmites and stalactites.

Which lackadaisically grow An inch each thousand year's or so, While now of all the blooming cheek, They're working on a five day week.

Turning to Volume 2 of the B.B., we have chosen two items for inclusion in this reprint. The first is another cave discovery - this time considerably smaller - of Withybrook Swallet - again by Pat Browne, this time in September 1947 which will be found on the next page. _______________________________________________________________________________________

BELFRY WORKING WEEKEND 10th – 11th –12th May WORKERS ONLY – FREE WEEKEND! BELFRY CLOSED EXCEPT FOR WORKERS AND THOSE ATTENDING DON COASE MEMORIAL LECTURE _______________________________________________________________________________________

Withybrook 1947

31 An Account of the Discovery of Withybrook Cave. by P.M. Browne.

Withybrook Swallet, in the hamlet of Withybrook, is a walled-in depression upon the North side of the main road between Stoke Lane and Oakhill, about half a mile from Stoke. The stream which is usually flowing into the swallet is conveyed under the road in two concrete pipes.

Discovery and Exploration. The system was opened by P.M. and L.M. Browne, with Sam Treasure as engineer. A sloping shaft, some eight feet in depth, was excavated through sand, gravel and boulders until, on September 10th 1947, the first open passage was struck. Beyond, the two explorers could see their goal, made inaccessible merely by one massive rock.

Many hours were spent in a vain attempt to force a way through, but finally it was decided to clear the obstruction by blasting. On September 10th, two plugs of explosives were used on the obstinate boulder, which fell with a crash into the chamber beyond. Withybrook cave was open! Great flakes of shattered limestone had to be cleared from the jagged opening before the cavern could be entered, but at last the discoverers crept through and into the unknown.

Description of the Cave. Beyond the bottom of the entrance shaft, a sloping rift chamber about fourteen feet long, five feet wide and eight feet high with a very unstable roof, goes off to the East. Suddenly, a stream course appears and the whole system begins to follow the dip of the strata, running North at an angle of about 45 degrees for about forty feet. Here, the way becomes choked with mud and boulders. Above the sink, a promising but at present inaccessible passage leads away. Another interesting passage, running west for ten feet, terminates in two small rift chambers. The second of these runs due south. _______________________________________________________________________________________ And finally, to complete our reprint review of the first two volumes of the B.B., a poem found by Harry Stanbury in an old book which was reproduced as written with the sole exception of the word 'Belfry' for 'Lydford' in the third verse. Harry thought at the time that it described the Belfry rather well, and maybe you might think it still does, after all these years.

1. They have a castle on a hill; I took it for an old windmill, The vanes blown off by the weather: To lye therein one night, ‘tis guessed, ‘Twer better to be stoned and pressed, Or hanged, now choose you wether.

5. The people all within this clime Are frozen in the winter time, For sure I do not fain: And when the summer is begun, They lye like silkworms in the sun, And come to life again.

2. Ten men less room within this cave, Than five mice in a lanthorn have, The keepers they are sly ones, If any could devise by art To get it up into a cart, ‘Twre fit to carry lyons.

6. One glass of drink I got by chance, ‘Twas claret when it was in France: But now from it much wider: I think a man might make as good With green crabs boyl’d, and Brazil wood, And half a pint of syder.

3. When I beheld it, Lord! I thought, From this place all sane men would fly This Belfry, when I saw it all, I know none gladly there would stay; But rather hang out of the way, Than tarry for a trial.

7. At six a clock I came away, And prayed for those that were to stay Within a place so errant: Wide and open, the winds so-roar,

By God's grnce I'll come there no more, Unless by some Tyn Warrmt,

4. The prince a hundred pounds has sent, To mend the leads, and planchen’s rent, Within this living tomb: Some forty-five pounds more had paid, The debts of all that shall be laid There till the day of doom.

William Browne 1590.

32

A Monthly Miscellany By 'Wig'

There always come a time when, once embarked on a monthly set of notes such as this, the writer starts to scratch his head to think of enough subject matter to fill out a lean month! World cave depths? The latest design in wetsuit fashions? Or just simply the well-worn topic of carbide lamp maintenance. However, just at the last moment, the saving grace appears.

40. Swildon's Hole: The latest push has come in the upper reaches of Cowsh Avens. Fred Davies et al. have entered yet another aven above s..t Sump - the believed inlet of the Priddy Green sink stream. Entry to this aven avoids S. Sump and the top of the new aven is very close to the surface - though it appears that the aven lies under the barn! Whether the Maine’s will allow a trapdoor entrance through the floor of the barn remains to be seen - it seems very unlikely.

41. Cuthbert’s: It appears that bats are using the Entrance Rift to enter the cave. During mid-March the writer spotted a bat flying around in the small chamber above Arête Pitch ladder. The bat flew round with a circular motion, and then swooped down into the boulder maze in the floor opposite the ladder, and presumably down into the roof of the Ledge Pitches. Bats have been reported in various parts of the cave.

Lately a bat was seen in the lower reaches of Boulder Chamber (1973) and Pillar Chamber (1972). Several years ago, a bat skeleton was found in the Maypole Series.

42. Burrington Atlas: Sales of the latest B.E.C. Caving Report are still going strongly, and the total print of 500 copies is nearly a sell-out.

43. Vanishing Grottos: This photographic record of Balch and Shatter caves is almost out of print.

Members wanting a copy are advised to obtain one as soon as possible.

44. Surveys: A new stock of various cave surveys is now held at the Belfry. Many have been increased in price due to the addition of V.A.T. and general price increases by the printers.

45. The Belfry - A new Chimney? The committee, in conjunction with Bucket Tilbury, are submitting a design to the planning authority for permission-to build a chimney for the fire in the living room. Details will appear in a later issue of the B.B., when permission to build is given.

46. Climbing Secretary: Nigel Jago has resigned from the committee due to pressure of work. Gerry Oaten is filling in for the immediate future until a permanent secretary is appointed.

47. B.E.C. Annual Din-din: In recent years, the venue of the club dinner has been a Wookey - Cave Man combination. This year will see a break from this rough routine. The venue has not yet been decided but it can be said at the moment that it will be in the vicinity of Wells. The Fodder - for beer soaking up - will be handled by an outside caterer.

48. Withyhill: Access to this cave is being tightened due to the damage in the form of creeping mud. If you want to go and visit this system, please treat it with the greatest respect. Talking of damage, the fine collection of straws in the crawl midway down Victory Passage in Cuthbert’s have been smashed. The only people who can be blamed for this are the Cuthbert’s Leaders as a whole. It must be said - the required standards for a Cuthbert’s Leader are not being maintained. This being so, the only answer would seem to be MORE TAPING. 49. Library Additions: S.M.C.C. Journal, Series 5 No 6. British Caver No 61. U.I.S. Bulletin No 8.

Microclimatology of Caves (Lawrence). Advances in Spelaeometeorology (Lawrence) and various climbing magazines contributed by Chris Howell.

33 50. Winter Lectures: During the coming winter (74-75) a series of lectures of interest is being arranged at the Belfry by Dave Irwin. The series will consist of about six talks, and will terminate with a ‘lecture of the season’ given by a well-known caver. This end of the season lecture is to be called the Don Coase Memorial Lecture. It is also planned to hold a Don Coase Memorial Lecture THIS year. You will find details in this B.B. 51. Streaking in Caves! Paul Deakin and his team of photographers were down on Mendip during March and were gainfully employed taking photographs in Cuthbert’s, Swildons and Shatter Cave. I'm led to understand that at least one of the shots included an unknown streaker. Wait for 'Descent' to get its hands on the print! Well, cavers have always been one up on the general public - I think! _______________________________________________________________________________________

Short Comment…………..by the Editor.

Whilst looking through volumes 1 and 2 of the B.B. for the reprint feature in this B.B., I was struck by the number of club members of the time who got mentioned by name in those volumes - either because they had written for them or because they were doing something interesting that somebody else had commented on. I estimated that well over a quarter of the total club membership of the time got a mention in the B.B. I realise that we are a much bigger club now, and that times have changed - but surely, we could have a greater variety of authors today? _______________________________________________________________________________________

B.B. Suggestion Scheme

An appeal to club members for ideas for improving the B.B

From time to time, odd comments reach the editorial ear about the B.B. Seldom, if ever, are these comments actually made to the editor - who is forced to rely on rumour and gossip. In any case, the comments mainly deal with features which a member does not want to see in the B.B. - and hardly ever with those he DOES want to see.

There is a box near the main door of the Belfry, which was originally put there by the B.B. editor for any articles; letters etc. for the B.B. At the moment, it houses a spider, complete with web.

Club members could help no end if they put into this box any comment of any sort about the B.B. - good as well as bad. Please sign your name to any comment, because it may be more sensible if we discussed your idea with you or wrote to you about it, if you are an infrequent visitor to the Belfry.

In addition to comments, I am prepared to offer a prize of £1 for the best and most practical idea for improving the B.B. received up until the end of MAY this year. Please note that good ideas in this category should include some practical means of ensuring that they can be carried out. It is, for example, merely preaching to the converted to suggest that we could do with more articles on cave exploration unless you can suggest some way by which we could come by them.

Why not earn yourself a little drinking money as well as helping the club to have a better magazine

34 THE DON COASE MEMORIAL LECTURE - 1 974 Will be on the subject of CAVES AND ALTITUDE by Dr. A. C. Waltham, At the Belfry - 7.30 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 11TH 1974.

The lecture will be illustrated with slides of caves from Iran, France, U.S.A., South America and many other countries.

MAKE THIS AN EVENING TO REMEMBER! PLENTY OF TIME AFTERWARDS FOR DRINKING AT THE HUNTERS! ALL ARE WELCOME

MONTHLY CROSSWORD – Number 44.

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1. Used as tackle or on a rescue maybe. (5) 5. Banwell cave. (5) 7. Cuthbert’s Swallet is one. (4,4) 9. Collections of straws. (8) 12. Boredom – nothing to do with caving. (5) 13. Sort of place to get 1 down in? (5)

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1. Most cavers have been this on occasion. (5) 2. and 10. Outdated sort of protective clothing for caving. (4,4) 3. Cave feature and how to tackle it? (7) 4. Hyena this is another 7 across. (3) 6. Vain eel otherwise gave name to Mendip cave.

(7) 8. The Belfry is, we hope, a club one. (5) 11. Another place to get 1 down 13 across. (3)