Latest Access Info.

Clarification Regarding Access to Ogof Draenen - 6th April 2010

After a period of uncertainty regarding future access to Ogof Draenen the PDCMG can now confirm that ongoing access to the cave has been secured. However, the conditions attached to this access are that it is by the original entrance to the cave only. Any further attempts to open or otherwise use other entrances to the cave on the land owned by PwllDu Conservation Limited will result in termination of the current access agreement.  We therefore ask all cavers to respect the terms of access to the cave. Details of the new lock and key arrangements are given below.

Fleur Loveridge.

 

Ogof Draenen Lock Change update - 29th March 2010

As Sue is now on holiday for two weeks, the new Ogof Draenen keys will temporary by available from Fleur Loveridge, 1 Bere Mill Cottages,  London Road, Whitchurch, RG28 7NH.

 

Ogof Draenen Lock Change - 17th March 2010

At the landowners request we are returning to using a key and not a combination to open the padlock. This means you will now need to apply by post for a key. Please send a letter on Club headed note paper requesting a key for a trip detailing when you want the key. Enclose a stamped Jiffy type envelope with the address for return and a deposit cheque for £10 made payable to PDCMG (Pwll Ddu Cave Management Group). The cheque will be destroyed on return of key. As Jiffy bags are more 5mm thick you will need to use postage for large packages currently 61p per stamp 1st class.

Requests to be sent to Sue Mabbett, PDCMG Permit Secretary, 2, Garth Close, Morganstown, Cardiff, CF15 8LF

Envelopes without the required postage will incur ~£1.50 surcharge from sorting office so please ensure you use correct postage. The new padlock goes on 21st March and the Sue Mabbett goes on holiday 26th March for two weeks so any requests for Easter weekend will need to be in the post quickly.

If you are a member of a club which previously had permanent access then your club may already have a key – but only if they replied to my earlier correspondence.

Sue Mabbett
Access Officer
Pwll Ddu Cave Management Group

Cwmorthin slate mine. - 19th August 2007

Members of www.darkplaces.co.uk and www.mine-explorer.co.uk have negociated access with the landowner of the Cwmorthin slate mine. We have installed a gate on the lake level adit as requested. Initally we had to have individual BCA insurance but we have managed to arrange site BCA insurance and the landowner is happy with this, so while insurance is recommended individuals don't need to be insured to enter the slate mine. The gate exists to keep out the bikers and casual walkers entering the mine unprepared. A combination padlock changed on an iregular basis, 3 people act as access officers *named individuals who can provide the key combination. We repaired the entrance and after installing the gate put a sign saying how to gain access. A website was created. The project has been totally funded by mine explorers donating to a paypal account. http://www.cwmorthin.co.uk/

Dan-yr-Ogof Access requests. - 9th May 2007

All requests for access into Dan-yr-Ogof should now be submitted to:-
Brendan Marris
13, Charlock Road
Hamilton
Leicester
LE5 1RX
Tel 0116 2761976 or

Pridhamsleigh Caves Access - October 2006

The cost of access to the Caves at Pridhamsleigh is due to rise (£1.50 per head as of 1st Nov 2006). This rise is due to groups and users of the cave abusing the access system, access to the cave is not a given or legal right, it is with the permission of the landowner – there is no “right of way” across the land. 
Click Here to see more details (pdf)

Little Neath River Cave and Bridge Cave - July 2005

Agreement has been reached for Cambrian Caving Council to take over administration of access to these caves on behalf of all cavers both recreational and professional. As before, cavers will be expected to pay the agreed fee for parking to the land owners (the Lewis Family of Blaen Nedd Farm). However, parking will from now be at the site near the bridge and not at the farm yard. How this is to continue to be paid has yet to be confirmed for each type of usage, but I am sure you will be enterprising and find a way to continue our good relationships while this is being sorted!
Access to Centres and other Organised Groups will depend on their demonstrating to the officials of CCC that they have appropriate insurance cover and have carried out the necessary risk assessments. Please will they make contact as soon as possible to clarify their situation.
For sporting cavers it will be deemed that most carry suitable 3rd party liability cover to ensure they are not at financial risk if involved in an accident with their own party. That, however, will be their own decision.
What we do require as a pre-requisite of access is that each member of the group is entering the cave of their own free will, that each knows the sort of difficulties they will encounter and accepts that they are themselves entering what is a potentially dangerous environment at their own risk.
If you wish to dig or carry out some project in the cave please let us know before you start as it is a Cave SSSI and has special protection at law which will not prevent such projects if they are carried out in an acceptable manner.
We hope these arrangements will enable you to continue to enjoy the cave.
For permission for Group/Centre activities please make contact to establish this for the foreseeable future. (Or if you wish to carry out a dig or other special project.)
Contacts… Elsie Little, CCC Conservation Officer
01639 730331
elsie@abercrave18.fsnet.co.uk
or Bernie Woodley, CCC Assistant Conservation Officer
01685 812488
woodley@smartemail.co.uk
E.Little. 7th July 2005

Pant Mawr Pot Access- May 2005

Would all cavers wishing to visit Pant Mawr Pot organise a permit which is to be carried with you while crossing Pant Mawr. This is to enable estate ground staff to challenge parties, on behalf of the landowner, and verify that they have permission to be crossing the moor to access the cave.
Daily permits are freely available from the SWCC HQ for all bona fide club cavers.

Llethrid Swallet Access - May 2005

Please would all groups visiting Llethrid Swallet refrain from accessing the swallet from the Green Cwm footpath. There is a 'ransom strip' of land that needs to be crossed, running alongside the footpath. We do not have permission to cross this and any trespass has the potential to cause problems for the landowner of the swallet.
The landowner of Llethrid Swallet, Mr James, is quite happy to give cavers access to the cave. The access will be through Llethrid Farm itself. Please enter through the yard, make a courtesy call at the house, then proceed past the house, through a farm gate, down the valley and over a stile to the Swallet.
For the moment, a key is not needed to enter the cave.

Tooth Cave Access - May 2005

A key is now needed to enter this cave. The old combination lock has been removed due to misuse. A key is held at SWCC HQ.

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu - March 2005

To gain access to the OFD1 entrance, it is necessary to pass very closely to the landowners house walking through his garden, the landowner also draws his water from this system.

So to continue our good caver - landowner relationship please follow this procedure:-
1 - Please be considerate by being as quiet as possible when crossing over the land.
2 - Would groups making a midweek trip ensure that their leader contact the family at Y Grithig beforehand, giving as much notice as possible (This is to protect their water supply.) Their telephone number is on a notice next to the keys at the SWCC HQ and is also held by the local keyholders.
3 - Those Clubs who do not have a registered guest leader may apply to SWCC for a leader to take their party in. Applications should be made to the Assistant Secretary.
Please help to safeguard our relationship with the landowner.