Belfry Bulletin Number 344

47

Vol XXX No.11

B B

November 1976

No. 344

QUODCUMQUE FACIENDUM : NIMIS FACIEMUS CONTENTS List of Club Officer’s, committee members etc.

Editorial Pippikin Pot Annual List of Member’s Addresses 1976 Scafell Pike (Concluded from B.B. No. 343) A.G.M. 1976 Notices Crossword No. 69

Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 51 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57

Contributions to the Belfry Bulletin, including those from officers of the club do not necessarily represent the views of the committee of the Bristol Exploration Club or the editor, unless specifically stated as being such

CLUB HEADQUARTERS The Belfry, Wells Rd, Priddy, Wells, Somerset. Telephone WELLS 72126 CLUB COMMITTEE Chairman Minutes Sec Members

S.J. Collins M. Wheadon C. Batstone, P. Christie, J. Dukes, R. Jenkins T. Large, Barry Wilton, G. Wilton-Jones.

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

M. WHEADON, 91 The Oval, Englishcoombe, Bath. Tel : BATH 713646 B. WILTON, ‘Valley View’, Venus Lane, Clutton, Nr. Bristol.

Tele : TEMPLE CLOUD 52072 TIM LARGE, 15 Kippax Avenue, Wells, Somerset R. JENKINS, 10 Amberley Close, Downend, Bristol.

C. BATSTONE, 8 Prospect Place, Bathford, Bath..

J. DUKES, 4 Springfield Crescent, Southampton. SO1 6LE Tele : (0703) 774649 G. WILTON-JONES, ‘Ilenea’, Stonefield Road. Nap Hill, High Wycombe, Bucks.

Tele : (024) 024 3534 S.J. COLLINS, Lavender Cottage, Bishops Sutton, Nr. Bristol.

Tel : CHEW MAGNA 2915 C. HOWELL, 131 Sandon Road, Edgebaston, Birmingham 17. Tele : (021) 429 5549 BRENDA WILTON Address as for Barry T. LARGE, Address already given

THE POST OF MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY HAS NOW BEEN DISCONTINUED AND ALL CORRESPONDENCE PREVIOUSLY DEALT WITH BY THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY SHOULD NOW BE SENT TO MIKE WHEADON.

48

Editorial FALSE ARITHMETIC The annual publication of the list of club members is usually taken by your editor as an occasion for some form of comment, and this year is no exception.

A few years back, we had occasion to double the sub. We needed to increase it to catch up with rising costs, and the argument which prevailed at the time was that it was better to get the increase over with for some time to come all at once, rather than do it in dribs and drabs.

This dramatic increase had the effect of causing a number of older members to leave the club. I heard it said quite recently that in the long term this turned out to have done no harm, since the total membership was now back to what it had been.

What the man who said this had forgotten was that each semi-permanent older member is worth about two and a half new members in terms of guaranteed future subs. The reason is that 10 older members will still most likely all be there in, say, five year’s time - whereas 10 new members will have reduced to 3 or so in the same period. It thus needs about 25 new members to yield the same total sub over about ten years that you would expect to get from 10 older and more permanent members.

Even this is not the whole story. If 10 older members leave suddenly, the total goes down by 10 but within about three years it will have climbed back to where it had been without any increase in new members. This is, in fact, exactly what has occurred. An estimate of the losses in subs due to older members leaving when the sub was doubled gives a total to date of about 50 annual subs - and shows clearly that dramatic increases are not the right; way to cope with rising costs. The present committee realises this, and the increase in the annual sub announced for next year is only that which is strictly necessary to cope with genuine increases - like insurance.

PROGRESS People who prophesied that we would never get a team to run the B.B. are - so far - being proved wrong.

Six pages of this B.B. have been produced by hands other than my own (our Hon. Sec., doubling as Deputy Editor) while already the essential supplies of stationery are beginning to flow, thanks to our Hon. Treasurer doubling as B.B. Stationery Supplies. In addition, rumour has it that Andy Sparrow is collecting a vast pile of manuscript while our new printer:- Alan Kennett, shortly to be known as Caxton - is well on the way to printing future B.B.’s. Even more encouraging is the fact that all this activity has spurred on a number of club members to start making contributions to the B.B. Some of the results will be found in this edition. If all continues to go well, we will climb rapidly out of the nasty mess we have lately been in up to our necks.

DECISION One of the first things which the new team (with the help of the audience at the last committee meeting) have decided is to change the format of the B.B. from its present A5 size to A4 starting in January. I am pleased to be able to announce this, as I have a very slight preference for the present size. In case you think I have got something wrong, I must explain that what pleases me is not so much the actual change as the fact that it emphasises that the B.B. is being run by a team not by me plus a lot of assistants. Barrie is going to produce the new cover. One way and another, it looks as if we might be off to a good start in 1977.

“Alfie”

49

Pippikin Pot

Yet another episode in the career of Graham WiltonJones (who sent in this account) and Bucket Tilbury.

I must start this account with many thanks, once again to Fred, who booked this trip; lent us equipment so that we didn't have to leave our own in the Northern wastes, and fed us in true hospitable Lancashire fashion.

All this - and yet he could not join us on the trip himself.

The evening before, which also happened to be Halloween. Bucket and I warmed up with a stroll over the infamous, witch-ridden Pendle Hill. It was intended to be a daytime walk but we didn't start until 4 p.m.

The moon was up, but the hags were obviously saving their evil energies for the morrow. Not having been smitten down with curses, we had no excuse not to descend Pippikin, so we got to bed relatively early that night.

At five o'clock on the Sunday morning we were astir. We reached Leck Fell in an unbelievable, also unmentionable record time, just as dawn was approaching. We changed to the sound of grouse wakening all round us, and the lights of Lancaster and Blackpool twinkling far away. We crept through the yard of Leck Fell House, unfortunately waking the dog, and off the slopes of Bragareth towards Easegill. By now it was full daylight and the Lake District was clearly visible. Rabbits scuttled off through the heather undoubtedly surprised by our presence on their fell during their breakfast.

Instead of clipping his figure-of-eight to a krab, Bucket had tied it on with perlon’s so that it wouldn’t clank and wake the farmer. It fell off. This time he tied it ‘securely.’ It fell off again, and we spent a futile hour searching for it, disturbing all the grouse, rabbits and sheep of Westmorland. Eventually we descended without the figure-of-eight and, needless to say, I didn't trust any of Bucket's knots.

We used S.R.T. for the whole trip, although it would be usual to ladder such short pitches. The value of S.R.T. in such a system is debateable. We took 180ft of rope instead of seven ladders, which is a great saving in space and weight, but we also had harness and abseil/prussick gear, which often had to be taken off in confined spaces and put back under similar conditions between the pitches. The first pitch from the surface is an easy 20' belayed to an obvious flake. The traverse over Cellar Pot has been made safe with a wooden beam and a fence post and then comes the first awkward bit. Awkward, because you emerge feet first over a drop and spend ages groping for footholds. The window into the next drop is easy, until you have to return - when it's six feet above the floor with practically nothing to push against. The constrictions before the next pitch are also interesting. Like the window, there is nothing to push against the return - reminiscent of Primrose Squeeze. Furthermore, the widest part of these rift squeezes is part way up, and the tendency is to drop down into the narrow section. With legs beating the air six feet up in space, these squeezes could be said to be technically difficult. The belay for the next pitch is a beautiful mini-acrow, but the third pitch hangers are both lethally loose on the bolts. We could have done with a spanner. The wriggle forward at the base of the third pitch must have been quite something once upon a time, but it has been blasted now and is non-existent. In the rope climb, there is a superbly placed stemple, making this considerably easier also. I wrapped a wire tether round the obvious place for the fourth pitch, and backed this up to the rope from the climb above. At last we were down to the stream.

Had we known it, we could have left our S.R.T. gear, at this point, since the 5th and 6th pitches are free climbable, especially with the aid of ropes. The awkward climb into a pool has been made easy with a few permanent nylon slings.

None of the entrance series is particularly tight, but several sections, particularly on the return journey, are awkward and time-consuming. We were glad to reach the end of the pitches and move more freely down the widening though tightly twisting streamway. At the streamway choke we climbed into the Hall of Ten. This is not the massive passage the book suggests, but does seem large after the entrance series. It is part of a long, ancient phreatic section that has been largely in-filled with deposits of sand, mud or pebbles. At this point, the infill is sand and the much more recent streamway has cut underneath the old phreatic passage, causing it to collapse and washing away the infill. We followed the old passage northwards, through wide, low places where the deposits of sand nearly reach the roof, to Dusty Junction. In some parts, where damage from passing cavers was less, the layering was quite clear in the deposits and white powdery crystals had appeared between each layer.

50 We moved on from Dusty Junction to Red Well Chamber. At first, the infill is large rounded pebbles covered in the same white deposit, but this soon changes to a hard compacted sandstone. The passages here are higher but narrower, with much collapse. Lacking time, we decided to look only at the larger passages, so we returned to the Hall of Ten and headed southwards. Turning left into a very old ox-bow, we reached the Hall of the Mountain King. One slope down this is similar to, but not as bad as, the mud flow in G.B. Once, it must have looked quite impressive but cavers have walked, squelched and slid all over it, ruining it.

Far too few cavers seem to appreciate floor formations, and the scientific value of undisturbed floor deposits.

Having covered ourselves in mud, we realized the significance of the name 'Wellington Boot Traverse'.

Had we used this route, we would not have been coated in the revolting ooze. We quickly visited the remarkable Hall of the Damned where massive avens soar above, and then went back to the main route, not wishing to take the grovel that continues from there. The route to Gour Hall is wide and low, often a stoop and occasionally a crawl. The formations are good, especially the stalagmites, although many of these, and the final gours have suffered unnecessarily from careless cavers. We were surprised by the amount of crawling involved, having originally been under the false impression that lower Pippikin was huge.

The journey out was fairly easy, since we were only the rigging party. We met the de-rigging party of four at the fifthy pitch. One of them had found bucket’s descendeur in the middle of a field. Bucket was pleased, but finder was not, because he'd just sold it for a couple of pints of beer! By mid afternoon, we had reached the surface and the sunshine. Unusual for us as we’re normally out way after dark from these northern trips.

If we go to Pippikin again, we'll try the lower entrance - the Mistral. If you fancy a good, hard, interesting trip, then you're invited. Perhaps I ought to mention that the Mistral is only 60 feet long and 35 feet deep - but it's Grade IV (Severe) Any Takers?

Editor's Note: Graham says in the above that 'Far too few cavers seem to appreciate floor formations.' On my first trip into Hilliers, the weekend after its initial introduction to cavers, I found a really amazing floor formation. Stal had flowed down a wall, reached the mud floor, and spread over it like huge fingers - each one over afoot in length and only a quarter of an inch or so thick. The underlying mud had subsequently been washed away, leaving these huge fingers sticking out completely unsupported from the wall. Luckily, I thought, this formation is likely to survive because it is not on the caver’s route along the passage, it can be seen in plenty of time to avoid accidental damage, and the wall behind it is solid and does not lead anywhere.

Two weeks later, when the cave was now three weeks old as far as cavers were concerned, I visited the place again with a camera and a party from the B.E.C, who were looking forward - apart from seeing the rest of the cave to this unusual formation. We reached the spot and gazed upon the smashed fragments. The boot marks of the vandal who had indulged his perversion for a few seconds of presumed pleasure could be clearly seen in the floor.

It could not have been carelessness. It was sheer, wanton destruction for its own sake. No wonder that cave photography has near enough disappeared as a branch of general caving. _______________________________________________________________________________________ SECRETARIAL NOTE - MEMBERSHIP As an addendum to this year's membership list I think that I should point out that NO reminders were sent out to members in 1976 and as a consequence there are probably a few would be members whose names do not appear despite their desire to continue as club members. We will be circulating these members individually and will waiver the need for them to re-apply for membership if they wish to continue.

Additionally there are: Peter Lord- Same address as Sue - who has applied for joint membership following their marriage.

JohnTurner - 92 Church Lane, Backwell - who left on an expedition to the Himalayas before he had time to pay a subscription.

51 BRISTOL EXPLORATION CLUB - MEMBERSHIP LIST 828 879 20 L 392 L 856 857 901 295 892 818 390 L 214 L 860 731 720 734 336 L 145 L 883 868 751 L 891 687 756 849 777 778 885 785 782 655 748 211 L

Nicolette Abell T. Andrews Bob Bagshaw Mike Baker M.D. Barker M. Barker Richard Barker Arthur Ball Marlon Barlow Chris Batstone Joan Bennett Roy Bennett Glenys Beszant Bob Bidmead Martin Bishop E. Bishop Alan Bonner Sybil Bowden-Lyle Brian Bowers D. Bradshaw T.A. Brookes Neil Raynor Brown Viv Brown Tessa Burt Alan Butcher Ian Calder Penelope Calder C. Chambers Paul Christie Patricia Christie Colin Clark M. Clarke Clare Coase

89 L 377 L 862 585 827 890 896 680 870 405 L 423 L 449 815 710 829 164 L 830 847 812 779 771 322 L

Alfie Collins D. Cooke-Yarborough Bob Cork Tony Corrigan Mike Cowlishaw Jerry Crick P. Cronin Bob Cross Gary Cullen Frank Darbon Len Dawes Garth Dell J. Dibben Colin Dooley Angela Dooley Ken Dobbs John Dukes Michael Durham S. Durston Jim Durston P. Eckford Bryan Ellis

October 1976

Michaelmas Cottage, Faulkland, Bath 43 Portway, Wells, Somerset 699 Wells Road, Knowle, Bristol, Avon 22 Riverside Walk, Midsomer Norton, Bath, Avon 44 Cedar Drive, Kingsclere, Nr. Newbury, Berks 44 Cedar Drive, Kingsclere, Nr. Newbury, Berks 44 Croxteth Road, Liverpool 4 Charlotte Street, Cheadle, Cheshire 93 Norton Drove, Norton Tower, Halifax, West Yorkshire 8 Prospect Place, Bathford, Bath, Avon 8 Radnor Road, Wesbury-on-Trym, Bristol 8 Radnor Road, Wesbury-on-Trym, Bristol 190 Hinkler Road, Thornhill, Southampton.

63 Cassell Road, Fishponds, Bristol Bishops Cottage, Priddy Bishops Cottage, Priddy Crags Farm Close, Little Broughton, Cokermouth, Cumberland 9 Beverley Close, Crithill Park, Frome, Somerset 44 Manor Way, Bagshot, Surrey 37 Creswicke Road, Knowle, Bristol 4 87 Wyatt Road, London, SW2 25 Lingfield Park, Evesham, Worcs.

3 Cross Street, Kingswood, Bristol 66 Roundwood Lane, Harpendon, Herts 17 Cedar Grove, Pennfields, Wolverhampton Plas Pencelli, Pencelli, Brecon Plas Pencelli, Pencelli, Brecon 35 Newbridge Road, Bath 7 The Glen, London Road, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berks 7 The Glen, London Road, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berks 186 Cranbrook Road, Redland, Bristol 62 Calabria Road, Highbury, London, N5 The Belfry, 10 Shannon Parade, Berkeley-Vale, New South Wales, 2259, Australia Lavendar Cottage, Bishop Sutton, Nr Bristol, Somerset Lot 11 McKay Crescent, Orange, New South Wales, Australia 22 Dennor Road, Hengrove, Bristol 4 48 Talbot Road, Knowle, Bristol 4 14 Plovers Down, Olivers Battery, Winchester 2 Coneacre, Chersey Road, Windlesham, Surrey 38 Jubilee Road, Knowle, Bristol 4 42 Bayham Road, Knowle, Bristol 47 Eversfield Road, Horsham, Sussex PO Box 325, Vernon, British Columbia, Canada The Lodge, Main Street, Minster Matlock, Derbyshire 5 Hillground Road, Withywood, Bristol 17 Neville Road, Bramshall, Stockport, Cheshire 51 Osmaston Road, Harbourne, Birmingham 7 51 Osmaston Road, Harbourne, Birmingham 7 85 Fox Rd., Beacon Heath, Exeter, Devon 4 Springford Crescent, Lordswood, Southampton 11 Catherine Place, Bath 7 Estuary Park, Combwich, Bridgwater, Somerset 7 Estuary Park, Combwich, Bridgwater, Somerset 80 Wilton Gardens, Shirley, Southampton 7 School Lane, Combwich, Bridgwater, Somerset

269 L 894 404 L 569 469 468 897 835 265 869 836 752 894 790 900 582 432 L 104 L 304 L 4L 893 866 873 863 773 373 736 793 898 899 387 L 833 855 808 888 150 363 73 168 540 L 753 792 340 51 L 560 L 285 567 L 884 316 L 542 L 413 L 762 874 667 L 795 574 L 871 58 495 L

Tom Fletcher Phil Ford Albert Francis Joyce Franklin Pete Franklin Keith Franklin A. Garrod Leonard Gee Stan Gee N. George Bob Givens E.M. Glanville Bruce Glocking Martin Grass Christine Greenhall Chris Hall Nigel Hallet Mervyn Hannam C.W. Harris Dan Hassell Dave Hatherley A.P. Hicks A. Higginbottom John Hildrick Rodney Hobbs Sid Hobbs Sylvia Hobbs Mike Hogg Liz Hollis Tony Hollis George Honey J.H. Hookings Ted Humphreys J.A. Hunt B. Husband P. Ifold Maurise Iles Angus Innes Margaret Innes Dave Irwin N. Jago Ken James Russ Jenkins A Johnson Frank Jones U. Jones Alan Kennett John King Kangy King Phil Kingston R. Kitchen J.M. Knopps Dave Lampard Tim Large Peter Leigh Oliver Lloyd S. Lord George Lucy Val Luckwill

52 11 Cow Lane, Bramcote, Nottingham.

45 Gentwood Road, Huyton, Lancs.

22 Hervey Road, Wells, Somerset 16 Glen Drive, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 16 Glen Drive, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 42 Anne street, Dandenong, Victoria, Australia 2 Spring Rise, Wells, Somerset 15 Warren Close, Denton, Manchester 26 Parsonage Street, Heaton Norris, Stockport.

Homestead Gardens Cottage, Wookey Hole, Somerset Newstead Lodge, 1 Fields Green, Crawley, Sussex Jocelyn House Mews, Chard, Somerset 213 St. Leonards, Horsham, Sussex 14 Westlea Road, Wormley, Broxbourne, Herts Collingwood Road, Redland, Bristol 6 2 Upper Radford, Paulton, Bristol 62 Cranbrook Road, Bristol 14 Inskip Place, St Annes, Lancashire The Diocesan Registry, Wells, Somerset Hill House, Moorlynch, Bridgwater, Somerset 4 Spring Rise, Wells 3 Regency Drive, Brislington, Bristol Warana, Hill Lea Gardens, Cheddar, Somerset Tarngulla, Old Bristol Road, Priddy Rose Cottage, Nailsea Hokestone Cottage, Townsend, Priddy Hokestone Cottage, Townsend, Priddy 32 Birchley Heath, Nuneaton, Warks 1 Bugle Cottage, Milborne Wick, Nr Sherborne, Dorset 1 Bugle Cottage, Milborne Wick, Nr Sherborne, Dorset Droppsta, 19044, Odensala, Sweden 32 Churchill Road, Catshill, Bromsgrove, Worcs.

9 Mounters Close, Marnhull, Sturminster Newton, Dorset 35 Conygre Road, Filton, Bristol 244 Oak Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands The Cedars, Blackford, Nr. Wedmore, Cheddar Waterworks Cottage, Gurmney Slade, Bath 18 David’s Close, Alveston, Bristol, Aven 18 David’s Close, Alveston, Bristol, Aven Townsend Cottage, Townsend, Priddy, Somerset 27 Quantock Road, Windmill Hill, Bristol 3 10, Amberley Close, Downend, Bristol Warren Cottage, Station Rd., Flax Bourton, Bristol 103 Wookey Hole Road, Wells, Somerset Marsh Farm, Askem in Furness, Lancs.

92 West Broadway, Henleaze, Bristol 4 Nightingale Road, Langley Green, Crawley, Sussex 22 Parkfield Rank, Pucklechurch, Bristol, Avon 257 Pemona Street, Invercargill, New Zealand Overcombe, Horrabridge, Yelverton, Devon 5 Kingsfield, Kingsway, Bath Woodpeckers, 11 Springfield Park Road, Horsham, Sussex 72 Lower Whitesands, Radstock 17 Northampton Road, Ecton, Northants.

Withey House, Withey Close West, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Greengates School, Apparto Postal 41-659, Mexico 10, DF Pike Croft, Long Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, Berks 8 Greenslade Road, Sedgeley hill, Dudley, Worcs.

867 848 838 550 L 722 788 662 106 L 558 L 852 880 624 798 396 L 637 22 L 499 L 724 337 886 622 481 L 452 L 343 L 672 L 844 875 832 240 L 359 L 237 L 482 78 L 213 L 838 872 889 881 764 473 823 851 1L 38L 840 575 L 365 L 837 865 583 772 284 L 348 L 571 L 699 700 692 803 80

M.J. McCarthy T.A. McDonagh D. McFarlane R A MacGregor A. McRory-Peace I.K. Marshall I. Marshall E.J. Mason Tony Meaden John Noble Graham Nye J. Orr P.A. Palfree Mike Palmer J. Pearce Les Peters Tony Philpott Graham Phippen Brian Prewer Jeff Price Colin Priddle John Ransom Pam Rees A Rich R Richards J. Rigler K.E. Roebuck Roger Sabido Alan Sandall Carol Sandall B. Scott Gordon Selby R.A. Setterington R. Setterington A.O. Sharp Mark Sherman N. Shott A. Simpson M.B. Slade Dave Smith Andy Sparrow Maurice Stafford Harry Stanbury Mrs I Stanbury G. Standring D. Statham Roger Stenner Richard Stevenson Paul Stokes Derek Targett Nigel Taylor Allan Thomas D Thomas N Thomas Buckett Tilbury Anne Tilbury Roger Toms R.S. Toms J.M. Postle Tompsett

53 26 Elgin Park (Flat 5) Redland, Bristol Poole Meadow, West End, Gloucester 24 Greenbank Gardens, Wallington, Fareham, Hants.

12 Douro Close, Baughurst, Basingstoke, Hants 5 Colmer Road, Yeovil Somerset 4 Kings Drive, Bishopston, Bristol 7 Fairacre Close, Lockleaze, Bristol 33 Bradleys Avenue, Henleaze, Bristol Highcroft, Westbury, Bradford Abbas, Sherborne, Dorset 15 Nash Close, Keynsham, Bristol 7 Ramsey Road, Horsham, Surrey 8 Wellington Terrace, Winklebury, Basingstoke, Hants 10 Maynard, Clutton, Nr. Bristol 27 Roman Way, Paulton, Nr. Bristol 23 Tiverton Drive, New Eltham, London, SE9 21 Melbury Rd., Knowle Park, Bristol Avon 3 Kings Drive, Bishopston, Bristol, Avon Rock Cottage, Rock Road, Wick, Bristol East View, West Horrington, Wells, Somerset 18 Hurston Road, Inns Court, Bristol 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 Beck Hall, 16/26 Sketty Road, Uplands, Swansea P.O.’s Mess, HMS Daedalus, Lee on Solent, Hants.

163 Cold Harbour Road, Bristol 6 43 Meadway Ave., Nailsea, Avon 43 Meadway Ave., Nailsea, Avon Merrymead, Havestock Road, Winchester Hants 2 Dodd Avenue, Wells, Somerset 4 Galmington Lane, Taunton, Somerset 4 Cavendish Road, Chiswick, London W4 33 Hamilton Road, Motherwell, Strathclyde.

Wood View, Grey Field, High Litton Westwood College of Education, Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham 30 Channel heights, Bleadon Hill, Weston-super-Mare 230 Southampton Road, Reading, Berks.

14 Severn Way, Tilehurst, Reading, Berks.

30 Green Park, Bath 28 Rowan Close, Sonning Common, Reading, Berks.

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 Greystones, Priddy 32 Manor Way, Bagshot, Surrey 16 Phyllis Hill, Midsomer Norton Whidden Farm, Chilcote, Nr. Wells, Somerset Allens House, Nine Barrows Lane, Priddy, Somerset Lower Lodge, Bartlestree, Hereford Holly Lodge, Norwich Rd., Salhouse, Norwich, Norfolk.

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

54 11 Lodge Avenue, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex M.J. Dizzie Tompsett 74 L 7 Ross Close, Nyetimber, Bognor Regis, Sussex Daphne Towler 381 L 48 Wiston Path, Fairwater Way, Cwmbran, Gwent, Wales Jill Tuck 157 L 3 Colles Close, Wells, Somerset Steve Tuck 328 75 Lower Whitelands, Tynings, Radstock, Avon Tony Tucker 768 75 Lower Whitelands, Tynings, Radstock, Avon Sue Tucker 769 Moonrakers, Brewery Lane, Holcombe, Bath Dave Turner 678 11 Harper Court, Honnington, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire P. Turner 646 13 Gresham Walk, Tilgate, Crawley, Sussex M.F. Turley 843 28 Butts Road, Alton, Hants.

S. Tuttlebury 635 L The Oaks, Round Oak Road, Cheddar, Somerset Greg Villis 887 32 Laxton Close, Taunton, Somerset D. Waddon 175 L 91 The Oval, Bath Mike Wheadon 397 91 The Oval, Bath Maureen Wheadon 861 Weavers Farm, Binegar Bob White 553 30 Curley Hill Road, Lightwater, Surrey.

Ross White 878 15 Minster Way, Bath J. Widley 859 Valley View, 27 Venus Lane, Clutton, Bristol Barry Wilton 559 Valley View, 27 Venus Lane, Clutton, Bristol Brenda Wilton 568 Ileana, Stenfield Road, Nap Hill, High Wycombe, Bucks Graham Wilton-Jones 721 6 Meadow Road, Withyall, Birmingham Annie Wilton-Jones 850 6 Meadow Road, Withyall, Birmingham Ian Wilton-Jones 813 21 Three Acres, Horsham, Sussex Steve Woolven 877 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Readers of last month's B.B. will recall that we left BOB CROSS on the top of Scafell Pike, England's loftiest spot. We hope he has not got too cold by now, and you will be able to read how he gets down again.

Continued from last month's B.B. One look at the mighty cairn, and you would swear MacAlpine's boys had built it. Standing at this point, our eyes were drawn down the entire length of Borrowdale over Derwentwater and beyond to the majestic peaks of Skiddaw (3,054') and Blencathra (2,847'). Eastwards, we could see Bowfell, the Langdales and way beyond Windermere the broad mass of the Pennines with Great Coum, LeckFell and Ingleborough. In my opinion, however, the Pike does not give exceptional views. Its neighbours, Great Gable and Bowfell both give better ones.

A mile and a half of rough going in a North-easterly direction brought us to Great End (2,9B4'). From here it was easy downhill going all the way via Esk Hause (it is pronounced 'house') to Angle Tarn.

Esk Hause is the name given to the col between Great End and Esk Pike and it carries the paths between Borrowdale and Eskdale. Between Esk Hause and Allen Crags and about a hundred and fifty feet lower, runs the N.W./S.E. path between Langdale and Wastdale. The crossroads are an old route centre for pack mules and are well marked on the ground. Close by there are iron rings set into flat boulders that were once used for tethering mules.

At Angle Tarn, we noted a couple of tents pitched at the popular spot by the outfall. A short ascent brought us to the head of Rossitt Gill, a feature of Lakeland I particularly dislike. Up until now, I had been ignorant of the existence of an alternative, but Mike showed me an old mule track that branches Southwards under Bowfell, eventually reaching head of Mickleden on the south side of Rossitt Gill. I was glad of this bit of information and soon discovered a more gentle and comfortable descent.

Our last two miles lay along the wide strath of Mickleden to the Dungeon Gill Hotel and over Great Langdal Beck to the campsite. Our walk had taken us up 5,500 ft of ascent and 12 miles in seven hours.

55

AGM ‘76

A different (and, in the editor's humble opinion, much more readable) account of that annual ritual - the A.G.M. - than is to be found in the official minutes!

by Maureen Wheadon

For many years now, M.F.W. has disappeared over the horizon each first Saturday in October, claiming that he was going to the B.E.C. A.G.M., and not returning until darkness had fallen.

I had naturally thought this a very unlikely and suspicious ritual. After all, what A.G.M. could possibly take that much time? I have attended some extremely turgid A.G.M.'s and, at the most, they only took about an hour and a half. After all, they only elect officers and receive reports - and our election is carried out before the A.G.M! Anyway, this year I decided to go and see for myself if the B.E.C. really did indulge in such lengthy meetings.

We (my joint member and I) set out at an ungodly hour - or so it seemed to me, who never sees the dawn before 9.30 a.m. - and, as I was driven through the fog, I found it hard to recall whether I was going to a cat show, a conference, or why I was even awake. At intervals through the A.G.M., this feeling was to recur as the debate waxed and waned. To my amazement (even yet!) we were not the first to arrive at the Belfry and the number of B.E.C. bods, some not seen for several years, who were rattling round the shed was equally amazing. Preparation of bread and cheese for lunch were well under way, and Roger soon appeared with the brunch barrel which was left to settle (which is more that can be said for the members!)

Amazingly, the meeting opened at 10.30. - on time - and in the absence of any other nomination, Sett was once again (I’m told) elected as Chairman for the day. This absence of nominations likewise applied to the committee for, although there were two resignations last year, only Paul Christie was nominated for this year and was elected unopposed. Without maligning Paul, who is very brave to apply for the committee, I think that this is a sad state of affairs which has, now, existed for the last two years so pull your fingers out, fellas and be sure to send in your nominations next year - for if you don't know someone worth nominating we’ll try a dose of petticoat government!

The first Officer's Report was the Hon. Sec's and M.F.W. gave a credible impersonation of a political leader by declaring a year of doom and gloom if we don't pull together and miss our chance of greatness etc., but if we believe in our club, we can make it if we try.

The Hon. Treasurer then shattered this portent by revealing that, unlike the country, the club is in the embarrassing position of having quite a lot of available cash. However, the A.G.M. were able to meet this event head-on and instantly directed that we should install central heating not, it should be noted, to keep us warm and snug but to 'preserve our assets'. Orang then gave a brilliant though baffling "display of heating and ventilating engineering knowledge (and jargon) by minutely discussing with the chairman such magic items as dew point and the like all of which I found quite forgettable.

Next to report was the Hut Warden, who gave by far the funniest report of the day but which revealed to us that all was not well in 'Belfryland'. The report of the Tacklemaster was baffling to the uninitiated, and there was a bit of a fracas to do with 'C' links and Englefield Clips. Voices were raised and 'order' occasionally lost. All was made right in the end when the chairman pointed out that the 'chain should be pulled to a hundredweight.'

The Hut Engineer gave his report, in a a rather cavalier and unwritten form, rather in the fashion of TW Benn fairyland. The report was received with what I gather to be the usual complaints (because we have heard them year after year after year) and, as a non Belfry resident, it certainly does seem that there are an awful lot of small jobs needing to be done at the Belfry. Bob Cross's fear of sleeping in the Men’s Dorm because of his suspicion of the mattresses emphasised some of the difficulties (is there a Latin name for this fear?)

After quite an efficient lunch, we were treated to a very full account of the insurance offered to us, with visual aids from the Bennetts, Wig giving the treatise, and Bob White filling in any gaps. This was probably the most important feature of the A.G.M. and had been much discussed by the committee beforehand.

Unfortunately, during the presentation of this item there was much to-ing and fro-ing in the Belfry and the

56 added distraction of a rogue barrel of beer didn't help. This did not affect my understanding of the situation because I had already heard most of the reasons during many hours on the side lines of the committee's debates on the matter. However, I have since been made aware that many members were left in the 'not fully understanding' position that we had no real options open to us unless the club was prepared to pay a 'fantastic' membership fee. Perhaps at a more formal meeting, some of the red herrings would have been out of order, but it is to be hoped that we known we now have to pay a sum based on our membership, at a rate fixed by the insurance companies.

After this debate, our revered editor outlined the terrible tales of ills that beset the B.B. last year, and suggested a team to produce a regular monthly B.B. in future, which was finally agreed to. Some have since said that this will only mean there are more places things can go wrong, but I think we should give it a chance at least.

By now, you will know that the B.E.C. A.G.M. really DOES take hours and hours. Eventually the meeting closed at ten to four (Just enough time to go home and change for the dinner). Would you believe it? If not, come along yourself next year and take part in this unique entertainment! _______________________________________________________________________________________

Notices Members of the B.E.C. still meet in Bristol! The meeting place has been recently changed BACK to the Seven Stars (behind the Robinson building by Bristol Bridge). Although only about half a dozen 'regulars' are to be found there on a Thursday evening, they would like other club members to know that anyone who happens to be in Bristol on a Thursday is always very welcome to drop into the Seven Stars and buy them a pint! _____________________ Members will find a questionnaire on the Club Dinner sent to them with this B.B. It explains itself, but the committee would like as many people as possible to get their completed questionnaires back into the hands of any committee member BEFORE CHRISTMAS. This will give the committee a chance to sift through them and pick out the points which members would like to see put into effect BEFORE the January meeting of the committee, at which the results will be discussed. _____________________ Anyone who has any access to supplies of A4 size paper suitable for printing the B.B. on, and at less cost than standard prices would be doing the club a great service if he or she could let Barrie or Alfie know about how much they can produce and at what price. _____________________ There will be a working weekend on December 18/19 (the weekend before Christmas) this year. Anyone who can lend a hand should turn up and preferably contact John can plan what can be done. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Solution to Last Month’s Crossword R

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MONTHLY CROSSWORD – Number 69 1

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1. Appropriate word for Mendip swallet. (5)

6. Harder if tight includes this cave feature. (4) 7. And pushing our system will reveal another. (5) 8. Fell, up north. (4) 10. Cave surveyor can make this. (5) 11. If heavy, can be dangerous in some caves. (4) 13. Poles differently inclined in caves? (5) 14. Scheme to produce survey? (4) 15. Employing. (5)

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2. Upper part of cave. (4) 3. A lifeline may take this. (6) 4. 5 across cab be this. (5) 5. Floor deposit found in Goughs? (5) 8. Lashes rock found on Mendip. (6) 9. Found in Stoke Lane I. (5) 10. Rope material. (5) 12. No access problem with this type of cave. (4)