News

CSCC is holding a Surveying course based at Upper Pitts (WCC) on the weekend of 19/20th Febuary

The course will adapt to all levels of surveying but the aim of the weekend is for people who have surveyed before to convert to the use of Paperless surveying, particularly using a DistoX. Once tried you will not go back.

Examples of what can be done can be seen at http://www.ubss.org.uk/cave_survey_archive.php (you will need Therion and/or Survex installed for the 3d models)

It will take you through the process of connecting the DistoX to a pda, and calibrating it. There will be a practical session to collect some data, so caving gear is necessary, followed by basic processing and introduction to some of the advance features such as morphed surface overlays, and managing large projects, with a team that are in different locations.

Program for the Weekend

Saturday
10:00 Overview of the Paperless surveying, followed by
lunch and then
Collecting data (caving)
19:00 (ish) Producing 3D centreline, then pub

Sunday
9:30 Drawing plans and producing 3D models, connection of multiple surveys
13:00 (ish) Surface overlays (including other tools needed). Google earth overlays. Other fancy outputs

Numbers are limited to 12 for practical purposes. There may be up to a £10 charge to cover costs however it is hoped that this will not be needed. This does not include the accommodation, for which you will need to make your own arrangements.

If you are interested then contact myself, Graham Price, to reserve a place or for further information.

You are encouraged to bring your own computer, and if you could let us know what operating system you have, we can try to bring everything that you might need. (Please note that macs are not well supported.) Also if you can bring your own DistoX and pda it would be useful, however, we will have 4 sets available if necessary.

Graham Price
Chairman
Posted 11/12/2010

Barriers have been installed on Blackdown on the bridleway leading to Rods Pot, Read’s Cavern etc. Vehicles can no longer drive close to the caves and can get no further along the track than the UBSS hut. There is consequently a lack of parking for cavers’ vehicles and care should be taken to avoid blocking the track. The problem has been pointed out to the AONB Service who appear to have been coordinating the installation in association with the landowners, but there seems little possibility of access being allowed for anything other than rescue purposes. CSCC is currently in negotiations to obtain a key for emergency purposes.

Anyone intending to visit these caves is advised to park in the Combe and approach via West Twin Brook valley.

Graham Price
Chairman
Posted 11/12/2010

The following anchors in Rhino Rift have been replaced:

• First anchor on the traverse line to the second pitch (RR-FP-08)
• Two anchors of the second y hang on the second pitch (RR-SP-05, RR-SP-06)

All anchors on the first and second pitches have been inspected and although in some cases the rock resin bond has started to fail, as can be seen from the slight rotation (less than 1mm), it is my opinion and that of others in the working party that they are safe to use and do not require immediate replacement. The anchors where the rock resin bond is starting to fail have been identified for future replacement.

Please note: the CSCC does not carry out any routine inspection or testing of bolts within the CSCC Anchor Placement Scheme. This policy is in line with the BCA statement on the testing of anchors. Further, the CSCC view is that individual cavers should satisfy themselves that the anchors they are proposing to use are safe.

The proposed chain on the head of the first pitch has not yet been fitted. A suitable vendor has been identified and I will update here when the chain is in place.

Faye Litherland
CSCC Equipment Officer
Posted 21/11/2010

CSCC will be holding an anchor placement demonstration & practical session on Saturday 20th November at 10am near Priddy. All attendees will be expected to have familiarised themselves with the CSCC anchor scheme documents prior to attending.

The documents are available in .pdf form from the CSCC Website

There are three documents in the pack:

CSCC-EQ-GN-1001 Anchor Placement & Installation Guidance CSCC-EQ-GN-1002 Anchor Inspection & Usage CSCC-EQ-PR-1001 Anchor Management (Installation, Testing, Defect Reporting) Procedure

Following the surface session, a real life case study will be discussed on site in Rhino Rift.

All Mendip cavers are welcome to attend (subject to availability of spaces). If you would like to attend or require further information, please contact me on 01761 233769.

Faye Litherland
CSCC Equipment Officer
Posted 4/11/2010

It is common knowledge that CO₂ levels in some of the Mendip caves are problematic in the summer months, particularly after a long warm dry spell.

It has been noted that CO₂ levels have increased recently, particularly in Cuckoo Cleeves where readings of more than 3% have been noted in the past few weeks.

Cavers are reminded to be aware of CO₂ levels within caves and to take appropriate actions if high levels of CO₂ are encountered.

NOTE: You should make yourselves aware of the symptoms of high levels of CO₂ and act accordingly. Here is some useful information on Carbon Dioxide.

Les Williams
Conservation & Access Officer
Posted 31/7/2010

CSCC has been asked by the Parish Council to remind cavers to change in the barn and not in public as this offends some of the villagers. Please respect this request.

Cavers are also asked not to park on the grass at the green but to use the hardstanding.

Les Williams
Conservation & Access Officer
Posted 31/7/2010

There has been a small collapse at the entrance to Priddy Green Sink. A hole has opened up around the edge of the lid and the entrance has been fenced off.

CSCC are holding a working party on the green on Saturday 14th August to effect repairs. All welcome, Meet by Main's Barn at about 10:00AM

Les Williams
Conservation & Access Officer
Posted 31/7/2010

The following anchors in Rhino Rift have been reported defective and are under investigation by CSCC:

RR-FP-08  Rebelay on first pitch

RR-SP-01  First anchor on traverse line to second pitch

CSCC is investigating this report and you will be contacted again when a CSCC appointed person has inspected the anchor and a decision has been made on what, if any, remedial action is required.

Please note: the CSCC does not carry out any routine inspection or testing of bolts within the CSCC Anchor Placement Scheme. This policy is in line with the BCA statement on the testing of anchors.

Further, the CSCC view is that individual cavers should satisfy themselves that the anchors they are proposing to use are safe.

Thank you,

Faye Litherland
Equipment Officer
Posted 29/6/2010

CSCC are now aware of the source of the recent pollution in Swildon's Hole. We can confirm that the source has been traced to a heating oil spillage and cavers can rest assured that steps are being taken to ensure there will be no further leaks from this source, however we have been made aware that recently, prior to determining the source, a further 1000 litres of heating oil escaped into the ground above the cave. This has not yet been detected in the cave but is expected to turn up once the good weather breaks and the ground water flow is reactivated when it next rains.

The white deposits on the walls of the passages have been identified as a type of fungus, no link has so far been made between the fungus and the heating oil. The fungus cannot be further identified without major lab work which will be very expensive as there are something like 30 different sub species, and the samples will have to be tested for them all.

The fungus is generally not considered harmful to most people, however a small percentage of people will be sensitive to it. If you know you are sensitive to fungus spores then you are advised to avoid the area until it clears up. The fungus is expected to disappear once it has consumed the energy source that it is currently growing on.

Les Williams
Conservation & Access Officer
Posted 24/5/2010

The BBC has asked CSCC to publicise its ThrillSeeker campaign. The Aim of the campaign is to help individuals and families experience an adventure activity, particularly for the first time. They are looking for caving clubs willing to participate and offer some “taster sessions” on a free or minimum cost basis. The ThrillSeeker website can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/thrillseeker. The campaign runs until Easter and clubs interested in offering something need to submit a declaration of interest. Further information and a copy of the form can be obtained from myself or the Secretary.

Graham Price
Chairman
13/2/10

As of Saturday 9th January Swildon's Hole is open. The landowner has issued the following notice concerning the cave, please read it and take note.

Les Williams
Conservation & Access Officer
Posted 8/1/2010

SWILDON'S HOLE WARNING NOTICE

Following consultations, Robin Main the land owner, has decided to close Swildon's Hole for a period of one month to see how things settle down in the entrance. Please stay away for now and respect the landowners decision. The latest information will be posted here as it becomes available.

Les Williams
Conservation & Access Officer
Posted 9/12/2009

There have been reports of loose boulders in Tyning's. The area concerned is the small boulder choke approx 60m from the entrance. Care should be taken as you squeeze through the hole on the right as the rocks below appear to be very loose and may fall out if disturbed.

Les Williams
Conservation & Access Officer
Posted 7/12/2009

Recent measurements show that the CO₂ levels have dropped to a more sensible level (around 2%). The cave is open and access can be obtained with a standard CSCC key. Please be aware that the cave (along with several others) is known for high levels of CO₂, especially when the outside temperature is warmer (e.g. summer time). You should make yourselves aware of the symptoms of high levels of CO₂ and act accordingly. Here is some useful information on Carbon Dioxide.

Les Williams
Conservation & Access Officer
Posted 7/12/2009

The CSCC mailing list is open to anyone interested in supporting the work of the CSCC.

It is a low volume list, mainly for announcements since the CSCC Forum is more suited to discussions.

Recently BCA Web Services changed its provider and now offer many more facilities to domains hosted with them, all for the same basic price. One such facility is the ability to host our own Mailing Lists.

For several years now the CSCC mailing list has been hosted for free on David Gibson's server at lists.caves.org.uk. Our thanks must go to David for his generosity. When he had to move provider, the time was right to move the CSCC mailing list to our domain.

So I have moved the list to the cscc.org.uk domain. All those people who were previously subscribed are still subscribed.

Note the email address to send a message to the mailing list has changed. See The CSCC Mailing List for details.

Subscribing is easy. If you want to subscribe go to The CSCC Mailing List.

For more information see the Mailing List page.

David Cooke
Webmaster
Posted 7/5/2009

Specially-fabricated bat grilles have been installed at Box Mine SSSI, funded by English Nature, in order to help protect rare bat species that use the sites for roosting. The increasing disturbance of hibernating bats by people passing through the mine systems has necessitated the installation of the grilles. In particular, the risk of a one-off catastrophic event caused by lighting fires or spraying canned paint has increased, and this could wipe out the entire bat population.

English Nature’s Conservation Officer, Katie Lloyd said “It has taken two years to come up with proposals and consult with all the known users of the mines in order to work out the best approach to installing the grilles. We are delighted that the work is finally coming to fruition and that the bats will be better protected in future.”

Back Door and Jack's Workings entrances have been gated, accessible by allen key. The Lady Hamilton's entrance has been permanently grilled for safety reasons and access is no longer possible. Keys are held by the major Mendip Clubs.

Please contact the C & A Officer here for further details.

Posted 2/9/2006

The C & A Officer reports that the combination lock on the caver's car park has been replaced with the CSCC padlock. You now need a key to use the car park, so please don't forget to collect one before travelling to East Mendip. Keys are held by the major Mendip Clubs. These are the ACG, BEC, CSS, MCG, MNRC, SMCC and WCC.

Posted 2/9/2006

The BCA has setup some Discussion Forums on its website. A Forum is a place where a discussion can held on topics of interest and importance. Recent topics have been access to Brown's Folly and a discussion on the geology of Sally's Rift.

Here is the CSCC Forum and the BCA Forum.

Anyone can read the Forum, but you will need to register if you wish to contribute your own musings.

Posted 13/7/2006

This information has been received from the Wealden Cave and Mine Society.

“All caving access rights have been removed by the landowners for Football Field also known as No4 and Quarry Dean Farm also known as No2 . Any person found on site will be prosecuted by the land agents”

For further information contact the WCMS Surrey Mines Agent via the committee page of www.wcms.org.uk.

Posted 8/3/2005

Avon Wildlife Trust have CLOSED the mine until further notice, pending a Mines Inspectors report.

Posted 19/2/2005

An engraving that is possibly 10,000 years or more old has been discovered in Aveline's Hole. Aveline's is famous as being the site of the earliest known cemetery in the British Isles.

A gate has been installed in the back of the cave to protect the engraving. This was after consultations between English Heritage and other interested parties, including the landowner, English Nature and the CSCC. No visits will be possible until bat hibernation season is over. Access is controlled by the UBSS.

Full details can be found on the UBSS website here.

Posted 19/2/2005

The duty to manage asbestos came into force on 21 May 2004. It applies to non-domestic premises, which includes caving huts. So if your club has a club hut and you are a committee member you should read the leaflet 'Managing Asbestos in Premises'. Further information is available on the HSE website here.

The regulations are not as scary as one might initially assume. For example there is no need to remove asbestos that is in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed. But you will need to systematically identify and record any asbestos in your hut. Also you need to make that information available to workmen and also to the emergency services.

Posted 19/2/2005

The 20+ year old rusty metal bolt belays at the 7m pitch have been superceded by the installation of four eco-hangers on the right hand wall as you approach the pitch head - a traverse line can be installed from the initial two hangers and a y-hang can be put in over the clear hang to the water below for a ladder or SRT if you want to use this venue for practice - mind you the dams are now nice and full for winter so it's a bit of a cold swim to get there! The work was done while killing two birds with one stone, so to speak/write; the bolts were part of a training session for the new CSCC bolting trainees to learn how to place eco-hangers.

Posted 16/12/2004. Report from the Cheddar Caving Club.

A considerable amount of work has been going on at Fairy Cave Quarry.

The new car park is now finished. You are asked to make use of this facility rather than parking on the road since the road is narrow and despite its appearance, takes a lot of 38ton lorry traffic. The car park has a combination lock. The number is available from the major Mendip Clubs.

Balch's Cave is a well known bat hibernacula and has been grilled to protect the resident bat colony. Padlocks have been placed on the three low entrances of Balch's Cave. Conning Tower Cave also has a new entrance and padlock. Keys are held by the major Mendip Clubs. These are the ACG, BEC, CSS, MCG, MNRC, SMCC and WCC.

Posted 17/5/2004

The situation at Ariel Hole, Portland has deteriorated. The landowner has denied access to the cave. Negotiations are continuing , so please respect the landowners wishes.

A fuller explanation can be found in the letters column of Descent issues 170 and 171.

Posted 12/5/2003

GB Cavern was shut from the 12/10/2002 to 6/11/2002 due to high CO2 levels. Readings from the Bridge and on down to Ladder Dig were 4% or greater. CO2 levels seem to be an increasing problem in Mendip Caves. Dr Tony Boycott has provided a short article outlining the effects of CO2 and the treatment for CO2 poisoning here.

Further information can be found here.

Posted 16/11/2002