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CHARTERHOUSE AREA
The following information is supplied by the CCC Ltd. This Company has been set up to administer access to several square miles of land in the Charterhouse area on Mendip on which are located numerous cave entrances and sites of speleological and archaeological interest. The land is a nature reserve owned by the SWT. By agreement amongst Mendip caving clubs, the CCC Ltd. was formed. It administers caving access to the land by means of a lease with SWT. It comprises representatives of ten caving clubs. These are the ACG, BEC, CSS, MCG, MNRC, SMCC, SBSS, TCC, UBSS and the WCC.
Having due regard for its legal obligations, the Company has made every possible effort to simplify access arrangements.
PERMITS AND INSURANCE
All cavers visiting these caves require a valid permit. Permits may be issued by any one of the member clubs to their own club members and guests. Permits may also be issued by the Honorary Secretary of CCC Ltd. to cavers wishing to visit the area as guests of the Company, i.e. those who are unable to make a guest arrangement with a Member Club. Guests may obtain a Temporary Permit which covers the duration of their visit to the area (14 days) and such permits are charged at 50p each. These charges provide revenue which helps to defray the costs of insurance and other expenses; the majority of such expenses being met by subvention from the Member Clubs.
The committee maintains a public liability insurance to indemnify both itself and SWT against claims arising out of caving activities.
CCC Ltd recommends, but does not require, for your own and your caving companions benefit that you are insured. BCA member clubs are able to issue temporary public liability caving insurance to their guests for a small fee.
Applications for permits must be accompanied by a completed indemnity form available from either a Member Club or from the Honorary Secretary and the appropriate remittance. The Secretary is currently: Graham Mullan, 38 Delvin Road, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS10 5EJ. Tel: 01179-502556. E-mail: graham.mullan [@] coly.org.uk
ACCESS TO THE CAVES
To comply with the regulations under the licence and sub-licence, caves in the area are required to be gated. However there is no difficulty in obtaining a key for the caves concerned:- G.B. Cave, Longwood and Rhino Rift. Similarly there should be no problems in obtaining a leader for a visit to Charterhouse Cave. Other small sites in the area include Timber Hole and Read’s Grotto.
There is no formal booking system. Cavers visiting the area as guests of a Member Club should make their own arrangements. Others are requested to give one month’s notice of an proposed visit to the Secretary of CCC Ltd. This will allow the necessary arrangements to be made on time.
CONSERVATION OF THE CAVES
The Committee is deeply concerned that maximum regard is given to cave conservation and SWT insist that activities in, and around, the caves do not constitute a public health hazard. All cavers are required to abide by the following rules:-
1. No-one under the age of 16 years is permitted in the caves. Persons aged between 16 and 18 years must provide a completed parental consent form before a permit can be issued.
2. Novices must not be introduced to caving in the Charterhouse area caves.
3. Caves should be kept locked at all times.
4. The party size in any cave is restricted to 6, except in Charterhouse Cave where it is 3 plus a leader.
5. No digging is allowed nor are fixed aids to be placed without the express permission of the Company.
6. No carbide lamps are to be used in G.B. or Charterhouse Caves.
7. These caves are on Nature Reserves, respect the regulations governing these, as shown on the signs at the gates, both above and below ground.
CHARTERHOUSE CAVE ST 4775 5620
The cave is locked and access to the cave is only available with an approved leader. Each member club of the CCC Ltd. has two leaders. The cave must remain locked at all times and parties are requested to lock the door behind them on entry and upon departure. Party size is limited to four including the leader. No acetylene (carbide) lamps are permitted. No novices or those under sixteen years old are allowed into the cave.
G.B. CAVE ST 4759 5623
The cave is locked and all CCC Ltd member clubs hold a key for the use of their own members and for guests. Other clubs may obtain a key, on loan, from a member club or from the CCC Ltd Honorary Permit Secretary. The cave must remain locked at all times and parties are requested to lock the door behind them on entry and upon departure. It is the responsibility of each caver to satisfy himself that any tackle used in the cave is in good condition. The use of acetylene (carbide) lamps is not permitted in the cave and parties are limited to SIX persons including the leader. No novices or those under sixteen years old are allowed into the cave.
LONGWOOD SWALLET ST 4861 5571
See Charterhouse Area. The cave is locked and all CCC Ltd member clubs hold a key for the use of their own members and for guests. Other Clubs and guests of the CCC Ltd may obtain a key, on loan, from the Honorary Permit Secretary. The cave must remain locked at all times and parties are requested to lock the door behind them on entry and upon departure. Party size is limited to six. There is no requirement for guest parties to be accompanied in the cave. The use of acetylene lamps is not permitted in the cave. No novices or those under sixteen years old are allowed into the cave.
This notice has been issued by BW about the danger of flooding in the cave:
DANGER TAKE CARE SEVERE AND SUDDEN FLOODING IN THE LONGWOOD CAVE
Longwood has long been known to be dangerous because of the risk of flooding from a stream. The danger is even greater now because the cave is likely to flood more often. Pumps that take water from the springs at Charterhouse will now stop working automatically. This can cause a sudden flood wave making some passages impassable and the exit and entrance extremely difficult to negotiate. There are warning notices stressing this danger at the cave entrance. Access to the cave is controlled by CCC Ltd, and only cavers holding a current CCC Ltd permit should enter the cave.
READ’S GROTTO ST 4775 5621
RHINO RIFT ST 4847 5557
The cave is locked. Availability of the keys and conditions of access are the same as those applying to Longwood Swallet as detailed above. e.g. Party size is limited to six. WARNING The cave is almost entirely vertical in character and care must be taken on the pitches to avoid dislodging rocks. Do not wait unnecessarily at the foot of ladders or ropes and beware of falling debris.