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Caving Phil Hendy

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Digging – a triumph of hope over expectation

CAVERSrightly celebrate the discovery of a new cave or extension, as we recognise the tremendous amount of effort that has gone into the find. Often years of hard work by a dedicated team of cavers digging more in hope than expectation has eventually led to the breakthrough. It is true that occasionally the chance removal of a boulder, or a five minute dig in a “likely” depression will give results, but these discoveries are exceptional.

In 1918 Scottish diggers found a new cave after only three minutes work, to enter 151 metres of passage in Uamn Nan Clachan Dubhan, the Cave of the Black Stones in Sutherland. This was enough to win the prestigious J-Rat Digging Award, given annually.

Similarly, while digging in Swildon’s Four, Alison Moody during a “rest” period, climbed to a high-level passage which allowed eventual entry to the Watergate passage. This headed back to St. Paul’s Series, part of the Short Round Trip.

Most cave digs, however, go on for months or years, until either a discovery is made, or, more likely, the team loses interest. Even though cavers leave for various reasons, others often take their place. An entirely new team may take over.

The dig at Hillgrove Swallet was commenced in 1903 and at least four clubs have dug there over the years, sometimes making more than one attempt. So far, a length of 65 metres has been achieved, with a depth of 25 metres. As yet, the expected streamway which feeds outlets at Biddlecombe, Wookey Hole and Rodney Stoke, has not been found.

I have been involved with cave digging for almost as long as I have been a sporting caver. My first dig was with the Severn Valley Caving Club at Rookery Farm Swallet near Green Ore. We tried extending an earlier dug shaft, which entailed me removing the remains of an extremely dead calf.

Abandoning that, we turned to the stream sink, where I had to be dug out from a collapse which buried my legs up to the knees. Not an auspicious start and the dig was soon abandoned. The club turned its attention to Eastwater Cavern, where the 380 Foot Way below the entrance boulder ruckle ended in more boulders.

This dig did not last long and it was years later that the glory fell to the Bristol Exploration Club, who pushed through to connect with the extensive West End Series.

There are some long-lived groups which have had the same core membership for many years, although they welcome like-minded diggers to join them. Two such are NHASA (The North Hill Association of Advanced Speleologists) and ATLAS (Association of Thrupe Lane Advanced Speleologists).

These groups formed when digging North Hill Swallet at Priddy and Thrupe Lane Swallet near Croscombe respectively, but stayed together after discovering these caves to have other successes, notably at Manor Farm Swallet at Charterhouse and the Viaduct Sink at Windsor Hill. There have been several other less productive digs.

For the past 44 years I have mainly dug with NHASA, starting at Windsor Hill Swallet. We have dug at several sites on central Mendip, though earlier successes have not so far been repeated. There have been three long-term digs, starting with Twin T’s

With PHILIP HENDY

Swallet at Priddy.

Extending the earlier dig, a descending passage eventually broke through to a low decorated chamber, with a choked shaft. This was dug for six years, until, although prospects looked good, bad air and strained relations with the farmer forced us to leave.

We then moved to the Yoxter Ranges, where, over eight years, Lodmore Hole was dug down to a depth of 37 metres. Again, there were promising signs, but the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease led to abandonment.

When lockdown ended, the Axbridge Caving Group restarted their dig at Templeton, high above Wookey Hole. NHASA joined them in 2002. We are still there, although none of the original NHASA is still alive, and there have been many who have come and gone over the years.

We now call ourselves the Templeton Diggers and meet once a week. There have been a few minor finds, but the big breakthough still eludes us.

Anyone who starts digging for cave on Mendip in the hope of a rapid breakthrough is sadly deluded, although there are other, more remote parts of the country where someone might stumble across an open hole.

Digging, particularly in the long term, requires a certain mindset and determination. Although we sometimes joke that that if prisoners were made to work in such places, they would reckon it to be cruel and unusual punishment, generally a dig meet is good fun, even though there is usually a tedious amount of spoil to be moved.

Problems arise, and many ingenious solutions have been devised when they do. Most digs take place in the evenings, to accommodate those with day jobs, but we make sure we down tools in sufficient time to get to the pub for much-needed rehydration therapy and the chance to discuss progress and plan ahead.

The ultimate goal is, of course, to find a new cave or extend a known one, but deep down, most of us know this will not happen. Diggers are however an optimistic bunch, and although it would be wonderful to arrive, we have a lot of fun travelling hopefully.

Templeton

Looking at the lettings market

Jackie Cary from Killens looks at the rental market

WITHa continued shortage of houses to buy and rent, it should come as no surprise that the demand for houses to rent shows no signs of weakening with 60% of letting agents seeing an increase in demand during June and July but a continued shortfall in instructions.

Over the past year, rents have climbed by an estimated 13% and the average rent outside London now stands at over £1,000 per month.

At Killens,we are letting properties almost immediately and many do not get openly marketed so do register with us if you are seeking a property to rent.

Even with house prices rising, letting a property can deliver a competitive yield. If you have a property to let and are new to the lettings market, we do strongly advise that you seek advice from an agent.

Agents can reduce the stress and hassle involved in letting a property as well as provide guidance and advice, provide a safety net if something goes wrong, create a barrier between yourself and the tenants and ensure that the legal aspects are covered.

The lettings market is a legislative minefield at the moment and using an agent can help steer you through the maze. There are many things to consider: EPC, gas safety certificates, right to rent, deposit protection as well as the legalities of agreements and how to obtain possession.

Once you have found a tenant, it is important that they are referenced effectively. A local agent will be able to professionally reference any potential tenants for you.

At Killens,our lettings team offer an effective and professional service that can be suited to your requirements at a competitive rate. Contact us for an appraisal of your property on 01275 333993 or 01749 671172.

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