Archived News 2012

Cave Surveying Course - September 2012

The BCRA Cave Surveying Group and Cambrian Caving Council will be holding a course at Penwyllt on the 24th & 25th November. This will take people through how to survey caves electronically, from the initial note taking to the production of the final survey and computer models. The main tools will be DistoX, PocketTopo and Therion, and how this is best used and  organised in a group situation to allow an overall coherent survey  to be produced. An overview of alternative tools will be reviewed.

No previous surveying experience is necessary but you’ll need to be comfortable using a computer. We’re particularly keen to hear from clubs and individuals with a surveying project in mind that this course would help them with. For bookings and further details, contact Mike McCombe on 01291 652957 or e-mail secretary@cambriancavingcouncil.org.uk.

 

Casterton Fell Access - September 2012

The Council of Northern Caving Clubs has a long-standing agreement with the landowners of Casterton Fell that gives generous access arrangements to all BCA Member Clubs. Unfortunately on Saturday, 18th August, a day when none of the 5 available permits had been issued, the land agents visited the lane at Bull Pot Farm and to their amazement there were large numbers of cavers turning up and parking and a long procession then going caving on the fell. There are even two clubs with reports of their trips on the internet!
Unfortunately this is becoming a regular occurrence and, despite a number of requests to clubs over the last couple of years to respect the agreement, it seems many are not. Indeed, only 4 permits were issued for the whole of August and 5 have been issued for September. All this comes at a time when the whole access agreement is under review and pirating only serves to make negotiations that bit harder. The immediate result in the case above is that the CNCC Access Officer has been summoned to the Estate Office to explain what is being done to ensure improved compliance among cavers. We can only hope that it does not escalate any further in the longer term.
The various access agreements negotiated by Regions are based on the understanding that they will be respected. If necessary, BCA will take appropriate action against any Member or Members who act against the best interests of British cavers. We would, therefore, request that Clubs adhere to all access agreements, up-to-date details of which are available on the various Regional websites, or from the Regional Conservation & Access Officers.
Permits for Casterton Fell are readily available for any BCA Member Club by contacting Alan Speight by e-mail at: /_alanmavisspeight@btinternet.com_/ or by post at: 8b, Springfield, Bentham, Lancaster LA2 7BA. Although ideally clubs will arrange their trips well in advance, last-minute permits are sometimes available, so please contact Alan and ask rather than just going caving.

BCA Executive (on behalf of BCA Council)

September 2012

Ogof Nant Rhin is now reopened - April 2012

 

Llanelly Quarry Pot - February 2012

The entrance to Llanelly Quarry Pot has now been cleared.