Belfry Bulletin Number 352

59

Editorial

BB

NOMINATIONS

QUODCUMQUE FACIENDUM : NIMIS FACIEMUS THE BELFRY BULLETIN VOLUME XXX1 NUMBER 8

AUGUST 1977 No 352

Once again, it is time for nominations for next years' committee. In case of any doubt, the rules are very simple.

You may nominate any club member - or as many as you like. You do not need a seconder. You DO have to ask those who you nominate if they would stand if elected. If they say not, or put in any conditions, they may not be nominated. You do not need to nominate any members of the present committee who are automatically nominated if they agree to stand again. As far as can be ascertained, all the present committee are, in fact, willing to stand again.

CONTENTS List of Club Officers, etc Contents, Editorial Growth of the B.E.C. (Part 4) Peaks of the N.W. Highlands A Dryish Easter Secretarial Festering Column Monthly Crossword No. 77

Page 59 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 63 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68

The views expressed by contributors to the Belfry Bulletin, including those of club officers, are not necessarily the views of the committee of the Bristol Exploration Club or the Editor, unless so stated. The Editor cannot guarantee that the accuracy of information contained in the contributed matter, as it cannot normally be checked in the time at his disposal.

You should give or send your nomination or nominations to the Hon. Sec. and sign the paper and include your number if you know it. You should also state that you have asked those concerned and they have said that they are willing to stand if elected.

Rumour has it that we can expect a fairly large number of starters for the committee election this year. Since we have had no election for two years now, it is an encouraging sign that so many members are taking an interest in the running of the club.

CLUB OFFICERS REPORTS In accordance with past practice, some of the Club Officers' reports will be found in this B.B. The idea is, of course, to reduce the time taken at the A.G.M. by not having to read them out. If members have questions to raise, they should make notes or bring this B. B. to the meeting. The same applies to the minutes of the last A.G.M., which were printed in the June B.B.

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

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, Bristol. Tel : Chew Magna 2915 C. HOWELL, 131 Sandon Road, Edgebaston, Birmingham 17. Tele : (021) 429 5549 BRENDA WILTON Address as for Barry

60 The Fourth part in our series on the growth of the club.

PART FOUR - SECOND WIND In the five years from 1957 to 1962, the club quite suddenly and dramatically expanded again at a rate nearly equal to its post-war growth. From a situation in which the club seemed to have saturated at just over a hundred members it suddenly leaped into a position where it had nearly twice that number of members. All this happened without any external factors like the ending of the war to account for the large growth. It is thus a very remarkable occurrence.

Once again, the figures show that the increase cannot be accounted for by a greater number of new members arriving over the period. In fact, over this period a total of 136 members joined the club, against a predicted total of 131, so we must look elsewhere for the reason. It is, we find, entirely due to a sudden reversal of the previous trend. Right across the board, members were now staying longer with the club and these lower losses entirely account for the spectacular increase in total membership. After 1962, the increase levelled off, but we do not necessarily have to find a reason for this, because a sudden increase due to a change in the rate of leaving levels off naturally after a few years, as a new state of equilibrium is reached. Admittedly, the actual levelling off is a little sharper than theory would suggest, but this can be accounted for by small fluctuations in the arrival of new members which was not, of course, entirely constant over the period.

Thus, we still have our original question to answer. What happened in 1951 which suddenly caused members to be less satisfied with the club, and what else happened (or what stopped happening) in 1957 which so dramatically reversed this trend?

We have already mentioned the fact that the discovery and exploration of St. Cuthbert’s had no effect on membership. Neither did the ups and downs of the Belfry. From 1954 to 1956, Belfry usage increased by no less than 42%, but it had no effect on the decline mentioned last month. General club activities were, in fact, high over the entire period covered by the decline and the new upsurge in membership, with nothing changing in 1957 which would account for the sudden change in the satisfaction of club members with their club.

The next part of this series discusses the recent past - the period of time from 1962 to 1975 when the survey ends. After this, the final part attempts to sort out what it all means and manages to put actual figures to this business of the satisfaction of members. As was mentioned at the start of this series, it is not intended to bore readers with the actual maths, although this is available to any members who may be interested in the methods used in this survey of the growth of the club. _______________________________________________________________________________________ A Fill In The hard men who climb on the Glyders Are such that none ever considers On seeing dense fogwen They look at Llyn Ogwen Their wives will be shortly their wyders.

P.S If your fill in is better, send it in.

61

Some PEAKS in the North West HIGHLANDS

Previous visits to this wet but delectable area have always been marred by continuous rain, but reports of the fine weather tempted us to try again. The first choice was to the north of Ullapool where isolated Sandstone Mountains rise up from a rocky lochan strewn landscape.

The rocks responsible for this scenery are of particular interest because of their great age. Firstly, the pre-Cambrian Torridon Sandstone which is devoid of fossils as it was laid down before life life on this planet had developed any hard parts. In spite of its venerable age, the rock has lasted quite well and its massive beds normally lie at gentle angles giving rise to impressive mural precipices. These sometimes give excellent rock climbing but often the cliffs are loose, lacking in belays and separated by horizontal bands of very steep grass. It is succeeded by a White Cambrian Quarzite having Crinoids and other fossils and giving rise to its own mountain forms.

by Roy Bennett

The rocky and widespread foundations of the mountain are composed of Lewisian Gneiss, an even older rock. This forms part of the 'Shield' area of very old much altered rocks and was once continuous with similar rocks in Greenland and Arctic Canada, which it has been separated from by continental drift. It is very resistant to weathering and it is often exposed in the area as a series of hummocks, rounded and grooved by the ice-age glaciers.

On our arrival in the area, it rained heavily. The weather had been very good and it looked as if we were in for our usual luck. However, it cleared up quite suddenly, remaining changeable but improving for the rest of our holiday.

First choice for a 'limber up' was the well known Stac Polly, a fancy mountain some 2,000ft high and handy to the road. It consists of a rocky be-pinnacled ridge offering some entertaining scrambling. Access was easy, up a steep path to a colon the, ridge. From this point, the East summit was easily reach, returning to the col to start the more interesting scramble over the pinnacles to the highest point on the western end.

Where were some easy ways up most of these, with an awkward few moves over the 'bad step' to the westernmost and highest summit. In all a very enjoyable little mountain.

After a few more rainy days, fine weather again tempted us out (unless you like plodding around mountains in the rain, some wet weather pursuit such as fishing, bird watching or sitting in a pub is essential). The mountain chosen was Quinag and its most Northerly Torridon Sandstone peak rising as a great mountain wall when viewed from the west. The traverse of the ridges connecting its various tops made a splendid trip especially as we were dropped off at one end. The approach to this east summit was trackless, but was easy going apart from a crumby plod up steep, loose scree to the summit itself. Once there, the going was speedy along the ridges on good paths. Time could not be spared to include the highest top which lies off to the south of the main ridge due to delay caused by a small dog chasing grouse (didn't catch any).

We caught up a little time on the descent from the final peak when we raced down almost continuous slabs of Quartzite on the dip slope of the mountain.

The next to be tackled was Suilven, the most spectacularly steep sided peak in Scotland. It was a prominent landmark to the Viking raiders, raiding down the West coast, who called it Sul-Fjal or Pillar Mountain. From the western viewpoint it appears as a grassy dome sitting on a great prow-like semi-circle of almost vertical 800ft cliffs. From either side, Suilven shows as a long ridge of 4 tops which from the other (western) end appears as a symmetrical pyramid of knife-edge steepness.

In short, a very attractive mountain but with one snag - due to some oversight it has been placed a rather long way from the nearest public road. Our first approach was from the east where the OS map indicated a perfectly good footpath not mentioned in the S.M.C. guidebook.

This was difficult to find at first and then followed along the lake-side in bits and pieces, eventually to peter out altogether. The going then became very heavy - up and down peat hags, heather and boggy clumps of grass with the mountain tantalisingly in the distance. After about 2½ hours, we gave up and a glance at the map showed a pathetic distance covered.

62 The point being taken, I set off next day along one of the recommended paths to the mountain. This was a splendid contrast to the previous day as these paths were put in for deer stalking in days when labour must have been cheap and readily available. Their mode of construction was very similar to that of a road. First of all a good line is taken, then a ditch is dug on the upslope side for drainage and the excavated material, where suitable, is used to raise up the path. Large stones are removed from the levelled surface and drainage channelled under the paths provided at intervals. Most still stand in good condition and are smooth enough to cycle over. Walking on such a path becomes a pleasure all of its own, the legs work smoothly and efficiently and all the step breaking difficulties slide by defeated. Lakes and rivers appear and pass by and sandpipers flute from the shallows.

In 2 hours, I was sitting at the foot of the mountain, after 5½ miles of approach with 1,000ft of ascent.

Another hour was sufficient to climb to the bealach (col) and traverse by an easy path to the north peak Castell Liath - the Grey castle. This was quite unexpected, a large area of mossy grass curving gradually away on 3 sides to the invisible supporting cliffs. The view from this isolated eminence was like that from an aeroplane. Immediately down was a Scandinavian landscape of hummocks and lochans hardly changed since the glaciers melted away many thousands of years ago. Further away there was more grass and heather, then a few trees and houses - to the deep blue of the sea. Costal features could be picked out 13 miles away. Formerly there would have been more trees and habitations, but these were finally removed during the Highland clearances and the land is now derelict supporting only a few sheep and deer.

From the summit, steps were re-traced re-passing one of the most remarkable features of the mountain - a man-made dry stone wall erected across the mainly grassy ridge of the mountain from cliff top to cliff top.

The guide book mentions this, but I was not prepared for its size – 4ft thick at its base with a 5-6ft vertical height, built of massive squared off blocks laid in brick wall fashion. It seemed enough to climb the mountain without carrying out such work at the top. From the bealach, an easy path led over a subsidiary top to the highest point. To reach the small summit plateau of this there was a bit of a climb up a broken wall.

The usual route was to return from here but - look across the valley suggested a change of plan. There was a good path to the head of the nearby loch which could be reached from the end of the mountains east ridge and after some hesitation I set out in this direction.

There was not much of a path and interest quickened. This part of the mountain was clearly not so often visited, but the guide books claimed there was no real difficulty. A long descent over loose rocks and grass led to a col, the sides of which fell away steeply. Beyond was a vertical wall to a subsidiary peak which turned on the left via some vegetated ledges. From the flat top of the peak, the East Ridge led comfortably down in a series of grassy ledges. A surprised ptarmigan scuttled off without flying to draw attention away from her two mottled yellow chicks. I spoke to it but it did not answer. On down, and a thought struck. The river from the loch had been crossed by a bridge - now I was proposing to cross higher up - and there was no bridge. Too late to turn back, but the river was low in its stony 'bed' when reached. It was crossed by use of some rickety stones and I was soon cruising steadily along a good path back to civilisation.

Some sightseeing followed including visits to Loch Laxford - with its glaciated landscape. Handa Island, home of the dreaded Great Skuas, and Smoo Cave at Durness. The weather continued to be fine and we were drawn south to Torridon to avenge the continuous rain of previous visits. This is a Mecca for mountaineers where the Sandstone peaks reach their maximum height and the mountains are laid out in long continuous ridges.

Firstly, Ben Damph was climbed, a gentle amble through resinous pine woods to a spacious corrie leading on to the long, broad, switchback to a summit with extensive views.

The finale was the traverse of Ben Eighe, the longest of the Torridon ridges and the only one largely composed of Cambrian Quartzite. In this, the tiered verticality of the Torridonian Sandstone is replaced with sharp arêtes flanked by enormous spreads of white scree, giving the mountain a dingy snow covered appearance. The scree is noteworthy, being mainly composed of angular blocks like small half-bricks which slide tiringly underfoot on ascents - and it is too coarse to run when descending.

From the usual starting point near the eastern end of the mountain, a heathery path leads to a few dotted remnants of former pine forest to an extensive plateau thinly vegetated with dwarf juniper and other shrubs.

From this a ridge, rocky at first, then completely scree, rose between scree corries towards the first summit.

63 These corries have a cold desolate appearance intimidating to the solo walker. Apart from one long slope of loose scree, the first ascent was not too taxing and 2 hours after leaving the road, the first summit was reached. The scene was enlivened by a patch of dwarf saxifrage, covered with rosy, inch-high flowers, and there were extensive mountain views in all directions.

Upwind, towards the south-east however, there was a spreading pall of bad weather which looked as if it would catch up about half way along the ridge. After a quick bite to eat I set off, whilst behind a subdued battle was being fought between the southern depression and the high-pressure weather which had served us so well. A summit and a half later, interest was quickened by a series of small towers on the ridge - the Black Carls of Ben Eighe. These were soon passed and the next summit reached. By this time, the wind was backing steadily to northerly and the weather became a past problem, pinned down in the distance.

The rocky ridge continued to another summit past some remarkable rock scenery sculptured by the Quartzite jointing. One particular gully had absolutely vertical sides so that it was no wider at the top than the deeply descending bottom, 100ft below. The ridge also showed unexpected verticality and in one place a look over the path edge showed sheer rocks disappearing under ones feet in an overhang.

A steep scree and loose rock descent, best forgotten, and a more pleasant ascent gave more summit views.

Back along the ridge two small back dots could be seen in the distance - the nearest I got to seeing any other walkers on the mountain that day - rather different to the Snowdon Horseshoe or Helvellyn!

A long ridge led on, becoming softer underfoot. A tactical error resulted in a dismal backtrack to take in the highest summit spurring off to the North. A coffee-break restored flagging spirits and the final section was started with a plod up a mossy meadow. In sharp contrast the ridge beyond dropped away in a series of great vertical rock steps which were bypassed with much leaping about to a col. A final plod up to the final summit Sail Mhor. From here it was all down, threading a way round bits of cliff on the easy angled slopes south of the ridge. Remnants of energy were squandered on rattling down the tourist path to the road, where tired feet could be dabbled in a sun-warmed stream.

The whole trip had taken 7½ hours including stops and errors and about 11 miles had been covered with a total ascent of about 5,000ft. The actual length of the ridge, excluding bits done twice, was nearly six miles.

In all a very nice end to the holiday. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Having carried out a bit of begging for articles it is gratifying to get two excellent articles from the Climbers - if you are not yet satiated read on the King family have joined forces to deliver an account of the Lakes.

A Dryish Easter in the Lakes

by Kangy, Jonathan & Philip King A pity about today. It started well enough and looked as if it would be scorchingly hot. We dawdled over breakfast and closed up the little tent but were forced back into it at mid-afternoon by closing time and torrential rain. Lying cosily in warm pit turned the yarning to Easter in the Lakes this year which was not at all wet.

The Haystacks at Buttermere was our first outing. It's Ivy Bonner's favourite walk and we don't mind!

The long pull up from the lake fills the lungs, restores the circulation and sorts out the lads so that they have sobered up for the walk around the tops. The views are extensive and always appreciated. After the winter hazes have cleared from the eyes, everything seems to be in glorious Kodachrome (or Agfa-colour for those with defective colour sense) and the absolutely superb view of the end of Buttermere in a golden light stopped us all in our tracks.

A FULL FRONTAL A day later, when Alan Bonner and I came to look for our sons, they had vanished into the recesses of the Bonners' old farmhouse. Not pushing the matter of whether they would like a day out with us or not, Alan

64 and I faced up to a day on our own. "Where? says Alan, Grasmoor says I and thinking no more about it off we went. Well, on the way and with the weather as it was, and with the feeling of spring in the air, an urge to do a ridge route became stronger. There was much discussion and the feeling became mutual until two mountaineers had their blood up and felt irresistible! And as we saw Grasmoor we saw what we had to do.

The challenge lay in the west face of Grasmoor. Viewed edge on, from the north to the south, it presents the appearance of a steep ridge and provides the clue to the ascent because the choice of route is bewildering.

The geometry of the face is that of a cottage loaf with a side sliced off. The detail is of a series of steep cliffs springing out of the scree slopes and preventing access to the ridges and gullies of the upper section. The whole is about two thousand feet of intricate steep rock. It was at the worst a frightful slog and at the best a delightful test of mountaineering skills.

We planned our route as best we could from what we could see of the foreshortened face and from what we could remember of the view from the side as we drove up. The long upper ridges would be our objective and to get to them we would have to penetrate the lengthy steep rock wall which belted in the lower face.

The right hand side was lower and more broken and offered more chances of a breakthrough. It led to a diagonal traverse, which went above the main cliff but below smaller tiered cliffs and then back onto the main line. From here we could link with the longest and steepest ridge, the skyline ridge, which finished in a cwm. The exit from the cwm would have to be found when we arrived but ideally would be a continuation of the main ridge.

Happy planning completed, we pulled on our boots, stuck some wind proofs into a sac with some grub and stumped off across Lanthwaite Common. By the time we had reached a small knoll set against the scree we were nicely warmed. The scree here was stabilised with vegetation and we climbed this carefully to steepening rocks at its head. A way was found up a small gully amidst heather until suddenly the pressure of the slope ceased and we could walk freely on an almost grassy terrace. The main cliff rose directly from the back of the terrace. It was vertical. We prospected towards the left where it was taller but the terrace gave out in steep rocks and the wall began to overhang. Towards the right seemed to give a level of difficulty for which we were looking but first we tried a twenty foot pinnacle just for the joy of rock climbing.

It defeated us mainly because it was difficult to see how we could escape from it and we didn't want to commit ourselves with the main climb still to be done. Alan then tried to the right and led out across a rising traverse and climbed a small corner to the higher terrace. I joined him, where we found that the terrace ran back to the left and upwards at forty-five degrees gaining height satisfactorily to the start of the ridge we wanted.

The beginning of the ridge was broad and composed of short steep walls which we could monkey up enjoyably. As we climbed higher the choice of route became more restricted until we were scrambling up a true ridge which occasionally steepened to a rock wall making a traverse necessary to maintain the impetus of our progress. We began to get an exhilarating feeling of height as the gullies either side converged in perspective onto the brown screes with Lanthwaite Common spread map like below. Like all good things, our ridge came to an end and flattened into the grass slopes of the upper cwm.

The view from here was great and we sat sweatily and steamed mightily whilst drinking it in. We gazed contentedly and then gradually turned to the cwm and made a technical appraisal of the final climbing difficulties. Far to the right was a good looking arĂŞte but to reach it we would have to descend. Coming round, towards the centre, were nasty looking cliffs of vegetatious rock, then some straight forward gullies, and, most interesting of all, a clean rock buttress which marked the start of the continuation ridge. There were more escape routes to the left, so feeling that we were fail safe we went to rub our noses against the buttress to see if it really was as steep as it looked. We thought at first we might have to cheat a bit and get onto the ridge higher up by climbing the gully bed, but the buttress could be climbed straightforwardly by a slight outflanking move and with good big holds on clean steep rock. We moved up and soon got into the swing of ridge scrambling once more.

The angle soon eased and the ridge gave out onto the rounded grass slopes below Grasmoor summit. A brisk walk with the wind pushing got us to the top. We were glad of our anoraks, didn't linger and raced down the incredibly evenly graded path by Gasgale Gill. I'd hate to walk up it. Two miles long in a grim grey craggy vee of a gorge and very boring. Alright for running down though.

65 The big day for Jonathan and Philip King and Timothy Bonner (aged 14, 12 and 12 years respectively) was their attempt on Scafell Pike. Jonathan and Philip describe it in their own words.

SCAFELL PIKE – 3,210 Feet We left our friends farmhouse at about 8.00 and drove for about an hour to Seathwaite. Here we changed and prepared for the walk by putting on waterproofs because it looked as if it would rain.

We walked a wet path becoming steep past the waterfall called Taylorgill Force. As we went past the waterfall, we had to climb through a small steep valley over bare rock. At the top of the waterfall we crossed the stream to avoid the regular route which had become worn and muddy. By this time we were quite hot but when we stopped in the shelter of the Mountain Rescue Hut at Sty Head we soon began to feel the cold.

We shared out our Easter Eggs and ate them overlooking the tarn below. The weather looked as though it would get steadily worse. Starting off again we followed the course of a small stream going towards the cliffs. Alan mentioned that we were going up the guide routes. At this point we saw our first snow. We went into a steep gully following the path carefully round a deep drop leading to the snowfield. After this steep part of the path it flattened out a bit and snowflakes started to fall. The visibility was still quite good.

There were two possible paths ahead, one indirect around the snow, one directly through the middle. The party decided to go up through the snow and Jonathan was asked to cut the steps. He described it as follows:"The first few steps were difficult until I was told how to use the ice-axe. You swing it, letting the weight of the axe do the work. After a time I got into the rhythm, the snow field began to get steeper so Alan told me to cut the steps in zig-zags and closer together. The difficulty was that when traversing you have to cut across the slope and the snow was hard making it difficult to out a decent step. I was so occupied with this that I did not realize that the wind was getting up until I turned from a zig-zag and caught the full force of the wind and snow in my face. This slowed me up because it put me out of rhythm. Every time I wanted to swing the axe I was blinded by snow and the wind pushed me off balance. At this point I felt that the people behind had the advantage because they could lean on their axes. I felt very unsafe and asked that someone who was used to cutting steps could relieve me.

Alan took over. As we swapped places I looked down. It was an almost total 'white out'. You could not tell which was snow and which was sky. In what seemed ages as I clung to a precarious hold, I found that the position of following was no easier than that of leading".

The slope was very steep and we moved over gradually to some rocks. At the rooks we found the path.

On the path were a worried man and his wife with their two small children. The man wanted to know the quickest way down the mountain and out of the cloud. Alan took them down part way while we went on slowly up. Because we were going slowly I (Philip) could feel the cold seeping in and penetrating though I was still enjoying it very much. The blizzard of snow increased and to our relief Alan rejoined us. He told us that we were not very far from the summit and sure enough after following the well-cairned path the summit cairn appeared out of the mist. We were now the highest people in England and we waved our ice axes on the summit. Not being able to stand the bitingly cold wind for long in such an exposed place we took shelter behind the huge cairn.

We shared out some more chocolate and then set off over easy slopes towards Esk Hause. Surprisingly once out of the cloud the terrible wind dropped off and we could relax. The air was remarkably clear and our eyes took quite a time to adjust to the brightness of the snow. We slid down a large, previously unspoilt, snowfield standing on our inverted ice axe heads as little skis (quickly changing back to the correct position when Daddy turned around). Meanwhile, Jonathan started to ski standing up on his boots using his ice axe as a rudder. When we reached the bottom we caught up with Alan and Daddy and snowballed them. At Esk Hause we had lunch with sticky cake, shortbread and toffee called Supergoo and hot drinks from Thermos flasks.

The rest of the trip was uneventful with good views and it was satisfying that we had done our climb in good time and could see other parties struggling to get up the mountain.

66

SECRETARIAL There were no New Members clamouring to get into the club this month but we bid a welcome return to: 792 Ken James, Flat 2, 9 Shrubbery Road, Weston Super Mare.

687 Viv Brown, 3 Cross Street, Kingswood, Bristol 800 M.D. Taylor, 39 Reedley Road, Westbury on Trym, Bristol.

Change of address: Claire Chambers has temporarily changed her address to 70 Rush Hill, Bath. She will tell us her permanent move when she can find a flat.

1977 AGM The Annual General Meeting of the Bristol Exploration Club will be held at the Belfry on Saturday 1st October 1971. The start is scheduled for 10.30 am. It is anticipated that the meeting will continue into the pm and there will be the usual provision of a Beer plus Cheese & Onion in the break. This year it is hoped that appreciation will be made that a reasonable charge must be made to cover the cost of the barrel and refreshments.

THE SECRETARY’S AGENDA Nominations for and Election of Chairman - who will preside at the Dinner.

THE CHAIRMAN’S AGENDA will include:Collection of Members Resolutions Selection of Tellers for the election.

Minutes of the Last Annual General Meeting - As published in the June BB. Matters arising from the Minutes Hon. Secretary's Report Hut Warden's Report Hut Engineer's Report BB Editor's Report Publications Report Librarian’s Report Caving Secretary's Report Climbing Secretary’s Report Tacklemaster’s Report Hon. Treasure’s Report - together with Auditor's comment.

IDMF Report Member’s Resolutions Any Other Business.

The results of the election will be announced immediately prior to the lunch break. This will be followed by a meeting of the officers elected under the Chairmanship of the AGM Chairman - to elect officers to posts. Members may vote for a maximum of nine candidates (although the committee may number up to a maximum of 12). Nominations should be given as soon as possible to the Secretary. Nominations to date received are the whole of the present committee (with some reservations on posts) plus the following: Bob Cross, Martin Grass, Maureen Wheadon, Brenda Wilton. Russ Jenkins is still able to attend meetings when his shift work permits and Chris Batstone has said that he has had enough of being Hut Warden but will serve in another post.

67

THE FESTERING COLUMN

by Plagiarist Your friendly plagiarist has had to be pestered into turning out something for the BB at quite short notice and as a result I haven't managed the greatest in stealing from others and have had to rely to some extent on originality. Still, never mind I'm told that every little helps.

Talking of little I'm sure that it hasn't escaped your notice that our very own Richard Stevenson together with Martyn Farr or is it Fartyn Mar? went to (and came back its sad to report) Persia. There was a remarkable lack of discovery I understand but there is a wealth of fable for those who wallow in line shooting. Still they had a free holiday on the BBC and I believe the programme was scheduled for 19.15 on July 17th. Notice how late I am in telling this fact - I suppose that it will be just as late when we get an article on the trip written up in the BB. Another interesting historical fact is the marathon push that took place on 11th June in Wookey (together with its follow up on the 18th). This also had negative results as regards material extension to the cave system. Still at 150ft depth even the bravest are not to be blamed for being careful. Sump 25 has now reached a UK cave diving depth record after approx 250-300' of progress and it doesn't seem that a breakthrough into Wookey 26 will be possible this year. Anyway it definitely provides some challenge to our up and coming tigers.

The recent collapse of the Tynings entrance is a shame and has temporarily we hope, prevented access.

Although this was a joint club venture under some obscure title invented especially for the purpose the T.I.T.S. put in a lot of work and it is only to be hoped that entry into this quite fine swallet will be made possible again.

Who says the BEC never goes caving? (We know 'tis true but) a EEC team, assisted by many and varied sherpas invaded Devon and attempted a push into furthering Pridd’lausleigh (my slip – sorry!). The divers are reported to have successfully reached the bottom of the second lake and managed to run out miles of line but no further discoveries have been reported - yet another article for the BB sometime?

The intention to either gate or (worse) fill in Ludwell was successfully resolved by the Axbridge CC. It was gated and the key is available from the farm. Sad to say Hollowfield and Flower Pot (the joy of Ken James) has not been dealt with so successfully and the entrances are now blocked.

Cuthbert’s apart from being the subject of many written reports has been the site of dye testing (in conjunction with Wookey 24) to the resurgence. Willie Stanton has found that the volume of water beyond 24 is of the order of 3X of that downstream from 24. This is (I'm told) absolutely daunting to those who have seen the variation of the flooded section of Wookey as far as 24.

After that last snippet I think that Plagiarist will have to go but there remains a few more snippets from : The BEC are now digging again, this time in Wigmore Swallet.

Cow Hole has been re-opened by Cerberus. The entrance is now improved and reported to be only 'horribly unstable'.

Finally, The Nature Conservancy Wardens have decided that it is time they covered over the entrance of Timber Hole (more news as to whether this is to be permanent or not soon).

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SOLUTION TO No. 76 P

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Clues

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1. I led pub role – out of a ruckle, presumably! (7,4) 2. Backward part for sump? (4) 3. Apart from half a rift for example. (5) 4. One should do this oneself to a lifeline. (6) 5. Light the Wig. The result being mush easier to tackle!

(11) 6. Visitor’s accident description or routine expedition in Cuthbert’s? (7,4) 7. Beds are normally this in Mendip caves. (6) 8. Reach end of cave – and feel the muscular effects within. (4) 9. Many pounds per square foot in hidden series. (5) 10. Steal apples – or their product, perhaps. (6) 11. Wookey is this to the public. (5) 12. ‘As I tell you’ to use an army expression, rather than this. (2,1,2) 13. Crystalline substance found in cavern’s parts. (4) 14. Southern Railway mobile unit taken by lifeline sometimes. (6) 15. …..which is made of this, naturally!. (4) 16. Measure pitches for a Grade 2 survey? (5,6)