Belfry Bulletin Number 325

109

Vol XXVIII No.11

B 74 B

November 1974

No. 325

QUODCUMQUE FACIENDUM : NIMIS FACIEMUS -CONTENTSEditorial Access to Cuthbert’s Maypole Dance Members Addresses Notices etc.

Round and About Programme Crossword No. 42

109 110 111 113 116 117 118 119

BRISTOL EXPLORATION CLUB The Belfry, Wells Rd, Priddy, Wells, Somerset.

Telephone WELLS 72126 - CLUB COMMITTEE Chairman Minutes Sec Members

S.J. Collins G. Wilton-Jones Colin Dooley, John Dukes, Chris Howell, Dave Irwin, Tim Large, Andy Nicholls, Gerry Oaten, Barry Wilton

OFFICERS OF THE CLUB (Address are omitted in this issue, as all members addresses are shown on pages 113 to 116) Honorary Secretary Honorary Treasurer Caving Secretary Assistant Caving Secretary Climbing Secretary Tacklemaster Hut Warden Belfry Engineer B.B. Editor Publications Editor B.B. Postal Honorary Librarian Spares

D.J IRWIN B. WILTON A. NICHOLLS T. LARGE G. OATEN G. WILTON-JONES. C. DOOLEY J. DUKES S.J. COLLINS C. HOWELL BRENDA WILTON D. IRWIN T. LARGE

Editorial MEMBERSHIP November is, of course, the time when the annual list of paid-up members is issued. In spite of fears to the contrary, the current list in this B.B. shows a total of 206 members - a gain of 2 on last year. While this is nothing to get wildly excited about, it is at least not the loss in membership that was predicted earlier on this year.

There is a danger when looking at membership figures of trying to read too much into them. However, on the principle that fools rush in where angels fear to tread, your editor will - perhaps foolishly - draw a few conclusions which may give the new membership secretary (when he or she has been appointed!) some food for thought.

There is no point, in my opinion, in having a vast drive for new members for its own sake. All this is most likely to do is to produce an unwieldy club full of the wrong sort of people. On the other hand, the legacy we have with us as part of the price of getting the Belfry built is a large number of life members (27% of our total membership) who pay no further subscriptions - and a way to improve this ratio might not come amiss.

110 Incidentally, judging by the voting figures, the life members do not show up very well since only 34% of them voted - against 56% of the ordinary members. This may, in some cases, be due to the fact that some life members, although still interested in the club, feel too out of touch to be able to vote. On the other hand, it may be that some life members are no longer particularly interested.

If you look at the way in which club membership has grown over the years, you will find that the intake of new members has remained almost constant every year, at average of 27 per year since the end of the last war. This year, with 24 new members, is quite typical - and there have been very few years which have not been.

The variation lies in the pattern of those who leave. About half of these in a normal year are made up of people who have recently joined and - presumably - have not found caving, or climbing, or the B.E.C., to their liking. Again this year is no exception - and there is little we can do about it. The other half is made up of members of some years standing who, again presumably, find that they are losing interest or contact with the present club. This is where I believe we could - and should - make some effort.

Many people have said to me that we should try to provide more for our older members. Perhaps gentler caving trips followed by social evenings from time to time. It has even been suggested that we hold an older members dinner. Other suggestions I have heard are that we should try to get older members up in the Belfry so that they could again get to know the present members of the club.

Looking at the present membership list, it is pleasant to see once more names like Arthur Ball, Stan Gee, Norman Petty, Phil Townsend and Mike Wheadon who, amongst others, have all re-joined this year. With a bit of imagination and a little work, we could turn this trickle into a flood.

I must repeat that the above represents my personal view. Perhaps you do not agree? Perhaps you do? In either case, why not write in with suggestions; offers, condemnations etc - so that we can all give the new membership secretary something to think about!

“Alfie” _______________________________________________________________________________________ ACCESS TO ST. CUTHBERT’S SWALLET Access to St. Cuthbert’s Swallet is controlled by the B. E. C. and all parties visiting the cave MUST have a B.E.C. leader or a guest leader from another club. A party wanting a trip in the cave should write to the Caving Secretary c/o The Belfry, Wells Rd, Priddy, Wells, Somerset. The Caving Sec. will then find them a leader, but MUST be given:1. The name of the visiting Club.

2. The date and time of the proposed trip.

3. The number in the party.

4. A stamped addressed envelope.

5. ONE MONTH'S NOTICE. It is always possible, of course, for parties to arrange trips independently with leaders they know, or to take a chance on a leader being available when they visit the Belfry. The system of guest leaders allows clubs who regularly visit the area to get their own leaders for St. Cuthbert’s. To become a guest leader, you need to have a thorough knowledge of the cave (there are five specified routes which must be known) and "a responsible attitude to caving and cave preservation."

All parties visiting the cave with B.E.C. leaders are automatically covered by the B.E.C.'s insurance up to £100,000 - so all guest leaders are required to have insurance up to the same amount which will cover their party and indemnify the B.E.C. Potential guest leaders can get application forms from the Caving Secretary, who will arrange trips to cover the specified routes. On all trips, the leader or guest leader has the ultimate say, and will refuse to begin or continue a trip if he thinks the party is inadequately equipped or incompetent.

These access conditions for St. Cuthbert’s have been published at the request of the Caving Secretary, Andy Nichols - who would like them made as widely known as possible, to avoid any misunderstanding

111 from visiting clubs.

Maypole Dance

Another account of the Club's doings in the Pyrenees this year. This time by Malcolm Jarrett

As may be imagined, mush of our time was spent while in the Pyrenees - in cases with French speleologists. Notable amongst those was the infamous Ruben Gomez, expedition’s controller of ARSIP, and founder member of Karst. ARSIP (Association des Rescherches Spelaeologiques Internationale de la Pierre St. Martin) is responsible for all aspects of caving within the area. KARST. (Kommittee d'Action Revolutionaire de Spelaeogogie et Terrorisme) is the nearest thing to the Elsan Club in France. Amongst their aims are the destruction of the thirteen stations of the Cross at Lourdes and the complete removal of stal from show caves. They produce a clandestine news sheet which we hope to obtain soon.

Ruben did much to help us, and we felt that we ought to repay the debt. He seemed quite pleased to have half a dozen tame English cavers available. The first idea to come to his mischievous mind was the derigging of the Annialarra. Before we said anything, we asked Dicky from Eldon what he thought of Annialarra. "Well, it's like a 1,400 foot pitch with a few sparse ledges. Oh, yes! It's damp and about 5OC." Tactfully, we forgot about Annialarra and asked Ruben what else we could do. He mused for a while and then said we could go and see his employer, Max Cosyns, who had a few jobs to do.

Max Cosyns has a vast range of interests, from nuclear physics to latex making. He had been maypoling in the Grotte des Statactites Deviees some years ago, and wanted his pole back.

The G. des S.D. is situated in the Kakouetta Gorge. Kakouetta is excellent with 600 foot cliffs on either side of a fair sized river and some fine speleological features. The first mile or so of the gorge has been equipped with - bridges and hand wires to improve access. The remainder of the gorge becomes wider, but very heavy going and there is no safe exit at the top end - as four of us found out when our pioneering spirits overwhelmed us. Another aspect which delighted us was the lack of commercialisation. The gorge is owned by the local people who levy a very reasonable 30p charge for the use of their bridges.

One mile up the gorge is the Kakouetta cascade, emerging from about 40 feet up on the left hand side, looking upstream. Little is known about the cave beyond this resurgence, except that in the fifth sump the cave plunges downhill, and that somewhere beyond here is a reservoir of huge proportions. A few feet further up the gorge is the G. des S.D. There are two ways into the cave. The first involves a 120 metre abseil (393 feet 6 inches as it used to be) passing an entrance 60 metres (197') up the cliff. The second involves a short climb into a large but fairly well hidden entrance. The first method would have been preferable, as it avoids the 30p charge, and makes all the caving downhill. Unfortunately, we had only a 90 metre (295’) rope and the prospect of six or seven of us swinging on the end of it to stretch a further 30 metres out of it did not appeal. Furthermore, we did not trust Max’s ten year old memories of where in the cliff top jungle the correct abseil point was. A third problem was the possibility of playing Aunt Sally with ten ton boulders falling in tourists mouths as they gaped in awe (this is really an excuse for chickening out, but I've just thought it up). This left the alternative lower entrance. Max said that it should be fairly easy, as there were some old wooden ladders in place.

And so Sue Holmes; Graham Wilton-Jones; Mike Palmer; John Dukes and I scrambled up the 3 metre (10') climb into the entrance. Despite the grandiose proportions of the entrance, the only way into the rest of the cave is through a letter box ten feet off the ground. Fortunately there was a nearby sapling and we used this to stuff the ladder through the entrance. Mike climbed the ladder and made it safe for the rest of us.

Inside the windy entrance, the cave opens out into a frost-shattered zone, which gently rises into a 12' ‘D’ section stal-lined tunnel. This rises steadily via a short climb to a windy constriction, after which the cave resumes its old proportions. Here we met the first of the fixed ladders. They must have been frail when built in 1955, but with an eighth of an inch of stal cement all over them, they were just comical. Kicking them aside, we rigged electron ladders in their place. After another joke ladder, we climbed a few more feet into the final chamber, where a 12 metre (39’) climb awaited us. This was the main obstacle between us and Max's maypole. A 12 metre nylon bootlace hung tantalising from the void, but was not available for tackle hauling. The remains of a tree lay rotting on the floor, after a previous party's climbing attempts. This improvised maypole later broke under its own weight.

112 Unfortunately, we had no bolts or nuts for artificial climbing. We had left this gear behind; thinking that we would do only sporting trips. Ruben helped us borrow a few Simond pegs and we had to make do with these. Mike and I ferreted around for a safe belay point to drive a peg in. This proved fairly difficult, as most of the cave was stal'd over, and smooth. Eventually we managed to find a safe anchor and set about the climb. An interesting experiment was the use of a well-known clog figure of eight the belay the ladder. John and I had practised the idea up trees and found it successful. Underground it was reasonable, but we were using 12mm 3-strand rope, and this tends to drag excessively.

After belaying the second, Mike set out up the climb, making reasonable progress as far as a ledge, and getting several runners in. By this time, Sue had produced cups of piping hot tea, and this enticed Mike back down. Next, John took over, and managed to get a few metres above the point that Mike had reached, over a slight overhang. Progress was necessarily slow, so we had to leave at this point in order to get out of the Gorge in daylight.

Next day, bright and early, John, Graham and I returned to the cafe at the head of the gorge. The weather was steaming hot, so we lingered in the cafe as long as we dared. After we had exhausted all the excuses for staying there, we staggered off up the gorge at mid day. This time, we were much better equipped - sandwiches; soup; chocolate and sweets augmented our diet of tea.

I climbed into the letter box and wandered off into the cave. Whilst I was playing with my stinky, Graham and John had decided that the sapling which we had used to stuff the ladder into the letter box might be a healthy addition to our collection of gear, so I lurched off into the cave covered in food parcels and primuses, while the others dragged their trophy into the cave. Back at the scene of the crime, we decided that the previous line of approach led to a nasty blank section of wall, and that it would be better to alter the line of attack. John removed all the runners from the previous climb, and we turned our attention to a greasy stal slope instead. John made good progress to a point halfway up the climb, protecting himself well with pegs. From this point, the climb became steeper and the holds fewer. John returned to ground level and we passed a good time chatting. I then re-climbed and started to place a peg at a point where we could use caving ladders as etriers. I started tapping the peg into its hole. The peg did not produce the correct noises, but none of them had so far. I put this down to the rock being different from normal outdoor specimens. The peg went in a good way, and I was just giving it the finishing taps when it broke in two. This was not too funny at the time, because we had been hanging on these pegs - and hanging on to them for some considerable time. Obviously, we had to review the situation, and after looking at the way ahead, and the lack of protection, we decided to abandon the attempt.

In order to clear up quickly, John lowered me down the climb and I knocked out the runners as I passed them. We had to leave a runner at the top of the climb, but this was preferable to climbing down. The peg on which I had rested while placing the ill-fated one had split and came out looking like Britannia’s trident!

So we had to give up, purely for lack of safety equipment. This was a shame, after Mike and John had tried so hard.

Next time, we’ll take an armoury of gear. One small compensation was being allowed into the gorge free of charge.

The local community regards its limestone and caves as an asset. Perhaps a few people over here should take note!

Editor's Note: The above article came complete with a message from the typist - Graham Wilton-Jones.

Just in case it sounds as though I went along simply to make up the numbers; carry tackle; drink beer at the cafe and cast aspersions at the climbing abilities of my fellows, that's right! Yes, to all four reasons! I also have a complete photographic record of the climb which will go with photographs to be taken next year during the successful completion of the climb. And, while on the subject of next year.

John and I are already making plans for a return visit to the Pyrenees. We will be away from Saturday, 19th July until Sunday the 31st August. Some of the agenda is already planned, and there will be opportunity for sporting caving; scientific work of a limited nature original exploration and surveying, walking, sightseeing, imbibing and socialising.

We shall be staying behind the Hotel des Touristes at Licq (some 60km out of Pau, not far from the Franco-Spanish border and equally close to the P.S.M.) For about three weeks this will be our base. John and I will also spend a week or more camped on the lapiaz - the vast, bare, limestone plateau between France and Spain. Several members of club have shown an interest in this visit, and a number of these are definitely coming for periods of two to three weeks.

THIS TRIP IS OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLUB, AND ANYONE INTERESTED IS CORDIALLY INVITED ALONG. Please get in touch with us as soon as you can, even if you cannot be certain of your arrangements so far in advance.

And don't anybody DARE say they didn't know early enough!

Anyone else who might be planning a trip - either in this country or abroad and who would be prepared for others to join in, should send in details to the B.B., so that the trip can be publicised and members given plenty of notice to join in.

113 BRISTOL EXPLORATION CLUB - MEMBERSHIP LIST 828 741 20 L 392 L 295 617 618 818 390 L 214 L 731 720 734 145 364 L 336 L 751 L 707 732 687 819 756 777 778 679 655 211 L

Nicolette Abell J.M. Bacon Bob Bagshaw Mike Baker Arthur Ball R. Bater Mrs Bater Chris Batstone Joan Bennett Roy Bennett Bob Bidmead Martin Bishop E. Bishop Sybil Bowden-Lyle P. Blogg Alan Bonner T.A. Brookes R. Brown Mrs Brown Viv Brown G. Buckham Tessa Burt Ian Calder Penelope Calder R. Chandler Colin Clark Clare Coase

780 89 L 821 377 L 585 827 680 609 405 L 423 L 449 815 710 829 164 L 830 812 779 771 322 L 232 831 269 L 783 404 L 569 469 468

J. Coleman Alfie Collins J. Cooke D. Cooke-Yarborough Tony Corrigan Mike Cowlishaw Bob Cross I.M. Daniels Frank Darbon Len Dawes Garth Dell J. Dibben Colin Dooley Angela Dooley Ken Dobbs John Dukes S. Durston Jim Durston P. Eckford Bryan Ellis C. Falshaw R.J. Fisher Tom Fletcher D. Foxwell Albert Francis Joyce Franklin Pete Franklin Keith Franklin

1974

Ardtraskart, Greenway Lane, Bath 12 Marine Road, Pensarn, Abergele, Wales 699 Wells Road, Knowle, Bristol, Avon 22 Riverside Walk, Midsomer Norton, Bath, Avon 4 Charlotte Street, Cheadle, Cheshire 4 Butterfield Close, westbury-on-Trym, Bristol 4 Butterfield Close, westbury-on-Trym, Bristol 8 Prospect Place, Bathford, Bath, Avon 8 Radnor Road, Wesbury-on-Trym, Bristol 8 Radnor Road, Wesbury-on-Trym, Bristol 63 Cassell Road, Fishponds, Bristol Bishops Cottage, Priddy Bishops Cottage, Priddy PO Box 15, Iganga, Busoga, Uganda 5 Tyrolean Court, Cheviot Close, Avenue Road, Banstead, Surrey Crags Farm Close, Little Broughton, Cokermouth, Cumberland 87 Wyatt Road, London, SW2 26 Cranleigh Gardens, Luton, Beds.

26 Cranleigh Gardens, Luton, Beds.

3 Cross Street, Kingswood, Bristol 13 Grosvenor Place, London Road, Bath 66 Roundwood Lane, Harpendon, Herts.

Plas Pencelli, Pencelli, Brecon Plas Pencelli, Pencelli, Brecon 6 Blackcap close, Southgate, Crawley, West Sussex 186 Cranbrook Road, Redland, Bristol 5 Mandalay Flats, 10 Elsiemer Street, Long Jetty, N.S.W. 2262, Australia Little Green, Bunwell, Norfolk Lavendar Cottage, Bishop Sutton, Nr Bristol, Somerset Lancaster house, Tondu, Nr. Bridgend, S. Wales Lot 11 McKay Crescent, Orange, New South Wales, Australia 48a Talbot Road, Knowle, Bristol 4 Hilston, Cleveland Walk, Bath 122 Pearson Lane, Bradford 9 Handsworth, Pilgrims way, Chilham, Canterbury, Kent PO Box 325, Vernon, British Columbia, Canada The Lodge, Main Street, Winster, Matlock, Derbyshire 8 Portway, Old Sarum, Salisbury, Wiltshire 17 Nevill Road, Bramshall, Stockport, Cheshire 497A City Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham 17 497A City Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham 17 85 Fox Rd., Beacon Heath, Exeter, Devon 4 Springford Crescent, Lordswood, Southampton 7 Estuary Park, Combwich, Bridgwater, Somerset 7 Estuary Park, Combwich, Bridgwater, Somerset 80 Wilton Gardens, Shirley, Southampton 7 School Lane, Combwich, Bridgwater, Somerset 23 Hallam Grange Crescent, Sheffield 19 Alma Road, Portswood, Southampton 11 Cow Lane, Bramcote, Nottingham.

870 Kebourne Road, Brentry, Bristol 22 Hervey Road, Wells, Somerset 12 Avon Way, Portishead, Bristol 12 Avon Way, Portishead, Bristol 3 Kinsley Road, Easton, Bristol

765 759 835 265 836 459 752 790 582 432 L 735 104 L 304 L 581 4L 773 373 736 743 744 793 834 833 387 L 770 631 808 97 150 363 540 L 753 792 814 51 L 560 L 438 285 567 L 316 L 542 L 413 L 762 811 667 L 795 656 657 846 574 L 58 495 L 838 550 L 591 845 788 662 106 L

R.T. Gage C. Gage Leonard Gee Stan Gee Bob Givens Keith Gladman E.M. Glanville Martin Grass Chris Hall Nigel Hallet P. Hamm Mervyn Hannam C.W. Harris Chris Harvey Dan Hassell Rodney Hobbs Sid Hobbs Sylvia Hobbs J.G. Hodgson Mrs Hodgson Mike Hogg Miss S. Holmes J.H. Hookings George Honey C. Howell P. Hudson J.A. Hunt J. Ifold P. Ifold Maurise Iles Dave Irwin N. Jago Ken James M. Jarrett A Johnson Frank Jones Mrs. P. Jones U. Jones Alan Kennett Kangy King Phil Kingston R. Kitchen J.M. Knops D. Knowles Tim Large Peter Leigh P. Littlewood Mrs Littlewood I. Livermore Oliver Lloyd George Lucy Val Luckwill D. McFarlane R A MacGregor J. Manchip A. Marchant I.K. Marshall I. Marshall E.J. Mason

114 36 Woodland Road, Nailsea, Bristol 36 Woodland Road, Nailsea, Bristol 15 Warren Close, Denton, Manchester 26 Parsonage Street, Heaton Norris, Stockport.

Newstead Lodge, 1 Fields Green, Crawley, Sussex 29 Shenfield Road, Brentwood, Essex Jocelyn House Mews, Chard, Somerset 14 Westlea Road, Wormley, Broxbourne, Herts 65 Valley View Road, Paulton, Bristol 144 Stockwood Road, Bristol 4 Address unknown 14 Inskip Place, St Annes, Lancashire The Diocesan Registry, Wells, Somerset Byways, Hanham Lane, Paulton, Nr. Bristol Hill House, Moorlynch, Bridgwater, Somerset Rose Cottage, West End, Nailsea, Bristol Hokerstone Cottage, Townsend, Priddy, Wells, Somerset Hokerstone Cottage, Townsend, Priddy, Wells, Somerset 72 Chesterfield Road, Bristol 6 72 Chesterfield Road, Bristol 6 32 Birchley Heath, Nuneaton, Warks 32 Birchley Heath, Nuneaton, Warwickshire 32 Churchill Road, Catshill, Bromsgrove, Worcs.

Droppsta, 19044, Odensala, Sweden 131 Sandond Road, Edgebaston, Birmingham 22 Glantawe Park Estate, Wind Road, Ystradgynlais, Wales 35 Conygre Road, Filton, Bristol 5 Rushgrove Gardens, Bishop Sutton, Nr. Bristol The Cedars, Blackford, Nr. Wedmore, Cheddar Waterworks Cottage, Gurmney Slade, Bath Townsend Cottage, Townsend, Priddy, Somerset 27 Quantock Road, Windmill Hill, Bristol 3 5 Bay Tree Road, Weston-super-Mare 12 Edgecombe Hill, Hall Green, Birmingham Warren Cottage, Station Rd., Flax Bourton, Bristol 8 York Gardens, Clifton, Bristol 8 50 Louisville Avenue, Aberdeen Marsh Farm, Askem in Furness, Lancs.

92 West Broadway, Henleaze, Bristol 22 Parkfield Rank, Pucklechurch, Bristol, Avon Address unknown Overcombe, Horrabridge, Yelverton, Devon 5 Kingsfield, Kingsway, Bath 35 North Road, Watleys End, Winterbourne, Bristol 4 Albion Terrace, Upper Bristol Road, Bath 17 Northampton Road, Ecton, Northampton 22 Brockhurst Avenue, Burbage, Hankley, Leics.

22 Brockhurst Avenue, Burbage, Hankley, Leics 9 Leystone, Close, Frome, Somerset Withey House, Withey Close West, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Pike Croft, Long Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, Berks 8 Greenslade Road, Sedgeley hill, Dudley, Worcs.

24 Greenbank Gardens, Wallington, Fareham, Hants.

12 Douro Close, Baughurst, Basingstoke, Hants c/o/ Eticon Ltd., Bankhead Avenue, Sighthill, Edinburgh Manor Farm Cottage, Chilcote, Wells 4 Kings Drive, Bishopston, Bristol 7 Fairacre Close, Lockleaze, Bristol 33 Broadleys Avenue, Henleaze, Bristol

558 L 704 308 794 842 624 798 557 396 L 722 637 22 L 160 499 L 724 820 337 622 481 L 452 L 343 L 672 L 844 682 712 787 816 832 784 240 L 359 L 747 237 L 577 578 482 78 L 213 L 839 789 764 473 823 276 1L 38L 840 575 L 365 L 381 L 837 650 572 826 583 800 772 284 L 348 L

Tony Meaden D. Metcalf K. Murray A. Nichols M. O’Niell J. Orr P.A. Palfree D. Palmer Mike Palmer J. Pearce A. Pearce Les Peters Norman Petty Tony Philpott Graham Phippen P. Preece Brian Prewer Colin Priddle John Ransom Pam Rees A Rich R Richards J. Rigler J. Riley Mrs Riley I.P. Rogers P.G. Rodgers Roger Sabido C. Sage Alan Sandall Carol Sandall D.R. Sanderson B. Scott Dave Searle Kathy Searle Gordon Selby R.A. Setterington R. Setterington A.O. Sharp N.K. Shaw M.B. Slade Dave Smith Andy Sparrow J.M. Stafford Harry Stanbury Mrs I Stanbury G. Standring D. Statham Roger Stenner Daphne Stenner Richard Stevenson D. Stuckey P. Sutton J.G. Talbot Derek Targett M.D. Taylor Nigel Taylor Allan Thomas D Thomas

115 Highcroft, Westbury, Bradford Abbas, Sherborne, Dorset 52 Northfield Road, Peterborough. Northants.

17 Harrington Gardens, London SW7 121 Wyndhams Court, Commercial Road, Southampton 21 Wickford, Drive, Harrow Hill, Romford, Essex Flat 2, Dorset House, Basingstoke District Hospital, Basingstoke, Hants 10 Maynard, Clutton, Nr. Bristol 29 John Wesley Road, St. George, Bristol 3 27 Roman Way, Paulton, Nr. Bristol 22 Tiverton Drive, New Eltham London, SE9 5 Colmer Road, Yeovil, Somerset 21 Melbury Rd., Knowle Park, Bristol Avon Bankside Road, Brislington, Bristol 3 Kings Drive, Bishopston, Bristol, Avon Rock Cottage, Rock Road, Wick, Bristol c/o Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds East View, West Horrington, Wells, Somerset 10 Franklyn Flats, Kopje Road, Gwelo, Rhodesia 21 Bradley Rd., Patchway, Bristol, Avon c/o The Belfry Box 126, Basham, Alberta Canada PO Box 141, Jacobs, Natal, South Africa 239 Highlands Road, Catisfield, Fareham, Hants.

67 Alfred Hill Drive, Melba, Canberra, Australia 67 Alfred Hill Drive, Melba, Canberra, Australia 56 Charlton lane, Brentry, Bristol 56 Charlton lane, Brentry, Bristol 1 Yeaomans Close, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 17 Westbourne Road, Downend, Bristol 43 Meadway Ave., Nailsea, Avon 43 Meadway Ave., Nailsea, Avon 23 Penzance Gardens, Harold Hill, Romford, Essex Merrymead, Havestock Road, Winchester Hants Dolphin Cottage, The Beeches, Priddy, Wells, Somerset Dolphin Cottage, The Beeches, Priddy, Wells, Somerset 2 Dodd Avenue, Wells, Somerset 4 Galmington Lane, Taunton, Somerset 4 Cavendish Road, Chiswick, London W4 102 Sydney Place, Bath Queens Head Walk, Wormley, Broxbourne, Herts 230 Southampton Road, Reading, Berks.

14 Severn Way, Tilehurst, Reading, Berks.

6 Downsway, Salisbury, Wilts Back Plaidy, King Edward, Nr Turriff, Aberdeen.

31 Belvoir Road, St. Andrews, Bristol 74 Redcatch, Knowle, Bristol 71 Vienna Road, Edgeley, Stockport, Chester The Bungallow, North Barrow, Yeovil, Somerset 38 Paulton Road, Victoria Park, Bristol 3 38 Paulton Road, Victoria Park, Bristol 3 554 Bifield Road, Stockwood, Bristol 147 Blaisdon, Yate, Bristol 75 Bredon, Yate, Bristol 52 Galley Lane, Barnet, Herts.

16 Phillis Hill, Midsomer Norton 15 Kennington Avenue, Bishopston, Bristol Whiddon Farm, Chilcote, Nr. Wells, Somerset Allens House, Nine Barrows Lane, Priddy, Somerset Mantons, 2 St. Pauls Road, Tupsley, Hereford

571 L 711 699 700 692 803 80 74 L 544 157 L 328 768 769 678 912 646 843 635 L 775 776 175 L 592 397 817 553 559 568 721 813 594 549 841 738

N Thomas M. Thomas Buckett Tilbury Anne Tilbury Roger Toms R.S. Toms J.M. Postle Tompsett M.J. Dizzie Tompsett Phil Townsend Jill Tuck Steve Tuck Tony Tucker Sue Tucker Dave Turner John Turner P. Turner M.F. Turley S. Tuttlebury J. Upsall Mrs Upsall Mrs D. Waddon Eddie Welch Mike Wheadon C.D. Wheeler Bob White Barry Wilton Brenda Wilton Graham Wilton-Jones Ian Wilton-Jones P. Wilkins Alan Williams C.K. Williams R.F. Wing

116 Holly Lodge, Norwich Rd., Salhouse, Norwich, Norfolk.

5 Woolcot St. Redland, Bristol 6 256 Cressex Road, High Wycombe, Bucks 256 Cressex Road, High Wycombe, Bucks 18 Hoton Road, Wysemold, Leicester 18 Hoton Road, Wysemold, Leicester 11 Lodge Avenue, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex 11 Lodge Avenue, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex 20 Lime Close, Prestbury. Cheltenham, Glos.

48 Wiston Path, Fairwater Way, Cwmbran, Gwent, Wales 3 Colles Close, Wells, Somerset 36 Norton Road, Knowle, Bristol 36 Norton Road, Knowle, Bristol Moonrakers, Brewery Lane, Holcombe, Bath Orchard Cottage, 92 Church lane, Backwell, Avon 11 Harper Court, Honnington, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire 13 Cresham Walk, Tilgate, Crawley, Sussex 28 Butts Road, Alton, Hants.

82 Eastland Road, Yeovil, Somerset 82 Eastland Road, Yeovil, Somerset 32 Laxton Close, Taunton, Somerset 18 Station Road, Filton, Bristol 91 The Oval, Bath 13 Greywell Avenue, Aldermoor, Southampton Mineries Cottage, Priddy, Wells, Somerset 27 Venus Lane, Clutton, Bristol 27 Venus Lane, Clutton, Bristol 17 Monkham’s Drive, Watton, Thetford 17 Monkham’s Drive, Watton, Thetford 55 Eighth Avenue, Northville, Bristol Hendrew Farm, Llanderaied, Newport, Mon. Whitestown Farm, Cheddar Cross Roads, Compton Martin, Bristol Penzance Gardens, Harold Hill, Romford, Essex

* * * * * * * * The above addresses are those on the card index from which the B.B. is sent out. If any member notices any discrepancy in the address shown with his real address, he is advised to get in touch with the Hon. Sec. (later, the Membership Sec. when appointed) so that there is no chance of his B.B. or other club papers, going astray. _______________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE NOTICE The Committee are looking for a member to act as a Membership Secretary. This has previously been mentioned in the B.B. and the committee are anxious to fill this post before the 31st January, when subs for 1975 are due. Anybody interested should write to the Hon. Sec. or get in touch with any committee member.

SITUATIONS VACANT: Bob Cross is looking for business partner (female and single) to help him run a campsite and shop in Wasdale in the lakes during the spring and summer of 1975. Accommodation will be in a caravan, and profits will be split 50/50. Bob says there will be ample time for walking, climbing and boozing. Any girl interested in this opportunity should contact Bob for further details. His address is: Bob Cross, 120 Pearson Lane, Bradford, BD4 6BF. REMINDER Members are reminded to fill in the caving log after each trip, and to sign tackle in an out properly AND to put tackle away in a clean and tidy condition after use.

117

A Monthly Miscellany Compiled by 'Wig'

133.

THRUPE LANE. A permanent entrance is being dug, and to cover the cost of bang and materials, a charge of 10p a head is being made. Please pay this - Tim Large will have details. Nearby the main entrance, another site is being dug, and at the moment the diggers are a little puzzled as to which point of the Thrupe system they may be about to enter.

134.

WESLEY RIFT. At the rear of Wesley Cottage, a J.C.B. opened up the top of a narrow, though caveable, rift. On Sunday, 10th November 1974 Martin Bishop and Dave Irwin dug away the boulders blocking the entrance. Though unable to enter due to a large boulder still blocking access, they were able to view down a ten foot deep rift with a way on to the West. The next day, Martin Bishop and Ray Mansfield continued to dig with Ian Cavender (Martin Cavender's brother.) The cave (rift?) is situated in dolomitic conglomerate overlying the coal measures and according to Willie Stanton the shales are causing the conglomerate to fracture - a similar situation to Sally's Rift near Bathhampton.

135.

NEWS FROM AFRICA. Since my query about Sybil (see 130) a letter has been received from 'Pope' (Colin Priddle) who made a detour from Nairobi with his wife to call in and see Sybil. He writes, 'We were the first visitors for five years and she was thrilled. She is surviving there amidst the malaria, leprosy and food shortages, but I hope for sanity's sake she comes back to the U.K. soon.

It really is a struggle to get European food at a reasonable price - if it can be bought at all. She is living on matoki (cooked green bananas) and there is only one other white person near'. We must hope that she manages to get back to Mendip soon.

136.

AND NEWS FROM SWEDEN. As many of you know, George Honey lives permanently in Sweden, and has been ill for some years now. However, this does not seem to have stopped this enterprising member of the B.E.C., as he writes, 'I have now almost completed a replica of the old Belfry, which stands in the forest behind our house. This is open to any club member and/or family who wishes to visit the area. We live about 30 miles north of Stockholm (10 miles from the airport of Arlanda). Unfortunately the nearest cave is nearly a thousand miles away but other activities (swimming, sailing, getting lost in the forest etc.) are available. Anybody who feels like a holiday in Sweden please write to George Honey, Droppsta, 195 00 Marsta, Sweden.' What about that for an offer? (and staying in a genuine replica Belfry as well! Incidentally, his wife, Britta, endorses this offer of George's and says that it makes no difference whether the members are known to the Honey's or not. She has also kindly sent the club a donation of ÂŁ10 for which we record our grateful thanks and hope that George keeps as well as possible.

137.

SUB-COMMMITTEE FORMED. At the request of the A.G.M., a sub-committee comprising Martin Cavender, Bob White, Andy Nichols, Alfie and the Wig will look into the problems of insurance with particular reference to the caving and climbing trips which are not advertised within the club. This committee will report its finding about mid 1975.

138.

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY. There has been little space lately for this feature, but the following will give some idea of what has been recently received by the club:Various O.S. maps.

Rock Face by Ron James (BBC publication) Bristol Regional Geology (H.M.S.O.) Gloucester S.S. newsletters, Mar ,Apr, May, Sept 1974.

W.S.G. Bulletin Vol 8 No 2.

R.R.C.P.C. Newsletter Volume 11 number 3

118 Speleologica Emiliana - Notiziario Series 2,No 3 Die Hohle Vol 25 nos 1 and 2.

Cotham S.S, Memoirs Vol 4 1968/9 M.C.G. Journal No 5 1974 M.C.G. Newsletter number 108 Caving Supplies - latest price list. History of G.G. and Ingleborough Cave.

University of Oviedo - Speleon - Vol 2/4, Vo13/3 and Vol 4/2 Cerberus Spelaeo. Soc. Newsletter No 37 C.R.G. transactions Vol 15 No 4 and index 1972-73.

B.R.C.A. Bulletin No 5 and Trans. Vol 1 No 3.

Daily Telegraph Magazine - Changabang.

Various CLIMBERS and RAMBLERS. Current Titles in Spelaeology 1973.International Pt 2 St. Cuthbert’s Lead Works-Bought Out Ledger 1907/8.

Various U.I.S. Bulletins.

Dorset C.C. Journal Vol 3 No 1.

W.C.C. Journal No 154.

Our thanks to Phil Kingston, Chris Howell and Pete Palfrey for donations of maps, publications etc. _______________________________________________________________________________________

Caving and Climbing Programme.

DECEMBER 14th DECEMBER 15th

Dan-yr-Ogof.

Pant Mawr.

JANUARY 17/19 JANUARY 18th JANUARY 19th

Climbing in North Wales.

Juniper.

Heron and Yordas.

JANUARY 24/26

Joint meet at Derbyshire. (Climbing)

FEBRUARY 22/23 FEBRUARY 22nd FEBRUARY 23rd

Climbing in North Wales.

Grants-Oxlow.

P8 and Show Caves.

MARCH 28th MARCH 29th MARCH 30th

Sleets Gill.

Pippikin.

Lancaster-Easegill.

Additional Notes - Climbing.

There will also be a climbing trip arranged for the Christmas Weekend. Throughout the winter months, trips will be arranged at short notice in addition to those above - depending on the availability of snow.

Notice of these will be given at the 'Seven Stars' and the Hunters by word of mouth. Notices will also be displayed at the Belfry.

Additional Notes - Caving.

On trips, particularly to Yorkshire, where much tackle is taken, the tackle counts as one person when working out the cost of transport. The Caving Secretary would like to inform members that response to ‘away’ trips so far has been very poor and unless members are prepared to support such trips, it may prove necessary to cancel some of them in the future.

119 MONTHLY CROSSWORD – Number 52.

Across: 1

2

3

4

5

1. Consumed in oblate spheroid. (3)

6 7

8

9

10 11

12 13

14

15

16

17

18

3. Slide another way to slip in a cave. (5) 7. This lime used once in cave diving. (4) 8. Suffering from exposure? (4) 10. Found at the Belfry or at the barbecue or in tables. (3) 11. Form of soft stal. (4) 12. Healthy resurgence? (4) 13. Local form of assistance found in farm roads.

(1,1,1) 14. Half found in loose mineshaft. (4) 16. Mineral sort of rose. (4) 18. Cavers kept this in goon suits. (5) 19. Cave feature useful for overnight trip? (3)

19

Solution to Last Month’s Crossword U S

D T

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B A

A R

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M S

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D

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P S

A

W

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I L

S

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A S

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C F

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Down 2. Am appropriate part of a cave for this clue. (3) 4. This cave will glow on. (8) 5. Insane arrangement of water contrail. (3) 6. I manacle for one of 16 across on Mendip. (8) 7. Places, perhaps. (3).

9. An appropriate number of these are found in this part of Swildons. (5) 15. Aural receiver use in cave communication?

(3) 17. Another receiver the caver finds useful. (3)