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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 nine caving clubs. These are the ACG, BEC, CSS, MCG, MNRC, SMCC, SBSS, UBSS and 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 individual members and members of BCA member clubs have public liability caving insurance. Others should make their own arrangements.
-Those issued with permits must read and sign them and return the signed counterfoils, prior to visiting the caves, to the issuing club or to the Hon. Secretary, 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**
-As part of our obligations to SWT under the terms of the lease, we must stress that caving trips of a commercial nature are not allowed in any of the caves administered by the Company without prior written permission.
-Furthermore 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 Swallet 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 Read’s Grotto and Hangover Hole. Arrangements to visit any digs should be made directly with the relevant club.
-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 a proposed visit to the Hon. 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:-
-.  No-one under the age of 16 years is permitted in the caves. Unmarried persons aged between 16 and 18 years must provide a completed indemnity for signed by a parent or guardian before a permit can be issued.
-.  Novices must not be introduced to caving in the Charterhouse area caves. By way of guidance, the Company feels that cavers who have done less than 4 previous trips are likely to be still novices, as are cavers who feel the need for professional leadership.
-.  Anyone visiting the caves must be in possession of a valid permit.
-. Caves should be kept locked at all times.
-. The party size in any cave is restricted to 6, except in Charterhouse Cave where it is 3 plus a leader.
-. No digging is allowed nor should fixed aids be placed without the express permission of the Company.
-. No carbide lamps are to be used.
-. These caves are on Nature Reserves, please 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. Each person visiting the cave must hold a valid permit.
-**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 Hon. 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. No novices or those under sixteen years old are allowed into the cave. Each person visiting the cave must hold a valid permit.
-**LONGWOOD SWALLET**
-ST 4861 5571
-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 Hon. 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. No novices or those under sixteen years old are allowed into the cave. Each person visiting the cave must hold a valid permit.
-The following has been issued by Bristol Water 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 can 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.
-**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. Note 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. Each person visiting the cave must hold a valid permit.