4 minute read
Caving Phil Hendy
Mixing business and pleasure
THEautumn approaches and in normal years many cavers would by now have returned from their trips to foreign lands, exploring and possibly discovering new caves. The recent stop-go regulations regarding foreign travel have largely put paid to these expeditions, although visits to other British caving regions have been possible. Mendip caving has been on the increase, although possibly not at pre-pandemic levels.
This is the time of year when many clubs hold their annual general meetings and club dinners. Neither of these events was possible last year, so AGMs are likely to be longer than usual, with two years’ worth of business to discuss.
Several clubs were able to obtain some form of government grant to help them survive; some of this money has been spent on improvements to headquarters, while most is probably sitting in the bank, awaiting a decision from the general membership at the meeting.
Usually at these occasions some of the elder statesmen of the club will attend. They may have hung up their helmets, but still hold the club dear. Their knowledge of history and tradition can often steer policy in the best direction.
It is, however, unclear how many of these older members will risk travelling to a large gathering, even though social distancing rules have been relaxed and most of them will have had their two shots of vaccine.
Because so many people from far and wide will attend the AGM, it makes sense to hold the annual dinner on the same date. Preparations will have been made well in advance, as it is surprising how few establishments on or around Mendip can cater for around 100 or more. The menu also has to be carefully selected, to cater for the growing number of vegetarians and vegans.
Yet beef remains popular, as does the prawn cocktail. Many of us are traditionalists. Over the years, the clubs have arranged to hold their dinners on different dates. This caters for those who are members of more than one club, those who like to meet up with friends from a rival club, and also allows guests to be invited from other groups.
In the distant past, dinners could often be rather raucous affairs, with bread rolls (and worse) being thrown around. Many members did not bother to dress up; indeed, a charity shop suit which could
be worn once and then binned was popular apparel. Now things are much more sedate, with dinner jackets and smart suits much in evidence. It is amazing how some scruffy cavers can scrub up well when the need arises. The female element also surprises, with beautiful frocks and evening dresses. We have to look hard to be able to recognise some cavers. With PHILIP HENDY The dinner is held to a strict protocol. It often begins with a Grace, and between courses awards are given to deserving members. These may include prizes for the best journal article or photograph, and there are usually some more humorous awards. The caver who has shown the best ability to cave beyond his prowess, by getting stuck in a squeeze or deep mud, or otherwise requiring assistance from his fellows, becomes “Tiger of the Year”. Nominated by his peers, this award is never actively sought. Someone who does something remarkable with his car, such as parking it on a dry stone wall or in a pond, becomes “Driver of the Year”. Any notable humorous event (at least to bystanders) is marked with an appropriate prize. After the Loyal Toast, the speeches begin. Toasts are made to the club by one of the guests, and a member reciprocates. Absent Friends are remembered, and then the Guest of Honour will give an address. He or she may range from an eminent professor in some caverelated discipline, through worthy elder cavers who can be relied on to give an entertaining speech, to a cave guide, with tales based on experiences with members of the public who are either gullible or not cave-savvy. Afterwards, the club may lay on some entertainment or music, but the main business of the rest of the evening is conducted at the bar. Later, the revelry may continue back at the club headquarters. In the past, this was a chance to sing the caving songs (some of which were not at all PC and would make a docker blush) and recitations. Vocal lubrication was provided by a barrel of beer. The “apres-dinner” is now much more sedate, but there will still be a few sore heads in the morning. Some will shake off the cobwebs with a caving trip, which may be organised by the club as the President’s Meet. Occasionally a trip to a show cave or place with a caving theme will be arranged. The dinner weekend is a great opportunity to meet up with old friends, and set the club on its course for the next 12 months. It is to be hoped that Covid will not damp things down too much.
