The

DERBYSHIRE CAVER

No 143 Winter 2016/17

Rubbish removed from Gautries Hole in Spring 2009 IN THIS SPECIAL CONSERVATION ISSUE – • Christine Wilson on the 4th Eurospeleo Protection Symposium • Jessica Eades on bats underground in the Peak District • Andrew Chamberlain on recent bone finds in Peak/Speedwell • Recent activity by the DCA Projects Team

and much more . . . .

Published by the DERBYSHIRE CAVING ASSOCIATION £2.00

£2.00 THE DERBYSHIRE CAVER

No 143 Winter 2016/17

Editor: Material for inclusion can be sent hand-written or via email.

Mike Higgins Please send contributions for the next issue as soon as they are ready. 56 Robin Hood Crescent Edenthorpe The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Doncaster editor nor of the Derbyshire Caving Association. DN3 2JJ

Email: [email protected] The website of the Derbyshire Caving Association is at: www.theDCA.org.uk

CONTENTS:

Editorial ...... 3 DCRO Call Outs ...... 3 Work of the Underground Conservation Forum ...... 4

Eyam Dale House Cave ...... 6 Cave Life of the Year – Food for Thought ...... 8 Holme Bank Chert Mine ...... 11 DCA Cave/Mine Conservation Plans ...... 13 Recent Finds of Bones in the Peak/Speedwell System. . 15 Restoration of the Ecton Dressing Shed Wall ...... 17 The Not So Secret Life of Bats ...... 18 Damage to Stalactites in Giants Hole ...... 20

Cover photograph by Dave Webb THE DCA - WHAT WE DO AND HOW TO JOIN US DOING IT

The aim of Derbyshire Caving Association (DCA) is to protect the caves and promote good caving practice within the Peak District and surrounding areas. Membership is open to all clubs, individuals and outdoor activity providers with an interest in caves and caving or mine exploration. Check out the DCA website for further information (www.theDCA.org.uk). Membership enquiries should be made to the Secretary at [email protected].

The newsletter of the DCA has been in publication for over fifty years and is of paramount value as a forum for cavers in the Peak District. The Editor welcomes contributions from all cavers, whether DCA members or not. News, articles, photographs, letters for publication, etc. should be posted or emailed to him at the above address, or give him a ring on 01302 882874.

The Derbyshire Caver is posted free to DCA members; non-members may subscribe by sending a cheque for £9 (payable to DCA) for four issues, to the Secretary or Treasurer. Some back issues are also available for sale. Quarter-page adverts are £5 per insertion.

Current issues of The Derbyshire Caver are available from the following outlets:

Hitch'n'Hike, Bamford; The Old Smithy Teashop, Monyash; Peak District Mining Museum, Matlock Bath

Editorial DCRO Call Outs

This issue of The Derbyshire Caver is SATURDAY-SUNDAY 22-23/10/2016 – JAMES something of a departure from the norm in HALL MINE, CASTLETON. The team were called that it is a themed issue, not something that out at 4.30 pm to reports of a caver (m) who had has been tried before as far as I know. And it been hit by a falling rock whilst climbing the 80m is a theme that should resonate with all deep Leviathan pitch in JH, near Castleton. He had suffered head injuries but impressively he cavers and mine explorers – conservation. was able to complete the climb to the top of the pitch under his own steam. His companion Caves and karst regions are important continued to the surface to call DCRO. When the resources that not only have significant team arrived first aid was administered, the recreational value but provide valuable casualty was wrapped against the cold and put in habitats for rare and endangered species. a stretcher. The team then lowered him down the Conservation of all these vital resources remaining pitches and through boulder needs to be a concern for everyone who uses constrictions. Here a further team of twenty or impacts upon the cave environment. volunteers supported by Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team paramedics were Conservation covers a broad spectrum of waiting to take him out to the surface along over a kilometre of partly flooded cave and mine issues, including archaeology. Arising from passages. The surface was reached after an 8 the discovery of the coin hoard in Reynard’s hour rescue involving over 50 cavers. We wish Kitchen (see The Derbyshire Caver no 135, the casualty a speedy recovery! Autumn 2014), a new study of the archaeology of Dovedale is under way and I FRIDAY 23/9/2016 – CHURN HOLE, BUXTON. am pleased to be able to include the DCRO was mobilised to go to the aid of an injured following statement from Hannah O’Regan at sheep trapped under a boulder. The team were the University of Nottingham - “A new stood down after the animal was reported dead. collaboration between the National Trust and the University of Nottingham Archaeology WEDNESDAY 31/8/2016 – GIANTS HOLE, Department is examining the archaeology of CASTLETON. One member of a party of two cavers returning from a Round Trip was too tired Dovedale from the Ice Age onwards. Sparked to be able to climb Garlands Pot and her by the discovery of a coin hoard in Reynard’s companion was unable to offer sufficient help to Kitchen Cave in 2013, we have been get her up without further assistance. DCRO investigating what is known from the caves in turned out and a small team successfully hauled the area before forming a plan for further her up the pitch and escorted her to the surface. study. We’ll be updating DCA with info as and She was unharmed but very tired and cold. when we have news, but in the meantime if you would like to contact the project, please SATURDAY-SUNDAY 6-7/8/2016 – JAMES HALL email Dr Hannah O’Regan at MINE, CASTLETON. A party of four experienced [email protected]@palaeohan”. cavers were reported overdue on a trip to Calcite Aven via JH. A DCRO team was called out and Finally, I would like to thank the many contact was quickly made with the party who reached the foot of the entrance shaft shortly contributors to this bumper issue and after DCRO members began arriving on site. The particularly Christine Wilson, DCA’s party were tired but unharmed and the team Conservation Officer, whose assistance has stood by until they were all safely on the surface. been invaluable.

Mike Higgins Information courtesy of DCRO

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The Work and Achievements of the Underground Conservation Forum (UCF)

The Forum, convened for the Derbyshire And so the UCF was resurrected, re-organised Caving Association by their duly elected and re-constituted so that each of the seven Conservation Officer, had its beginnings on SSSI areas of Derbyshire and the Peak could be 26th September 1986 and involved the monitored and the data collated before forerunner of Natural England, the Nature passing on the Natural England and from Conservancy Council (NCC). It was originally there to Government. Thanks to the known as “The SSSI Cave Conservation magnificent response from grassroots cavers Regional Management Committee”, but was we achieved record breaking results and have renamed the Underground Conservation won several awards for our work. For many Forum in 2003 to reflect the importance of years our Scheme was held up as the mines and other underground sites to the benchmark for which other regions should region (and to make its purpose sound slightly aim. less formal!). It had already done some good work in its old guise, but interest and Some other successes arising from the input attendances had fallen and in 2001 an of those attending the six-monthly meetings: opportunity arose to revitalise it. 1. The creation of a new simplified set of Guidelines for the production of SSSI The government of the day had formulated Cave Conservation Plans and SSSI legislation that required, in common with Audits. The following were other SSSIs, that geological SSSIs be routinely subsequently produced and contain a monitored for condition. Natural England wealth of information about caves and (English Nature, as it then was) was handed caving areas: the task of ensuring that this work, which is enshrined in legislation, was carried out • The Cumberland/Wapping Mine effectively. NE realised that they possessed Conservation plan neither the appropriate insurance nor the • Cave & Mine Conservation Audit expertise to inspect features often deep for the Manifold & Hamps Valleys, underground and a meeting was called to 2nd edition discuss their concerns. • Masson Hill Cave and Mine Conservation Audit There seemed to be two choices – pay • Stoney Middleton Dale SSSI Cave “professional” cavers to do the work, or enlist Audit and Conservation the help of volunteer cavers at no charge. The Management Plan meeting quickly decided to put the scheme to • Water Icicle Close Cavern local cavers, many of whom already possessed Conservation Plan the knowledge and skills necessary to do the • Cave Conservation Plan for work effectively, while at the same time Waterways Swallet maintaining moral “ownership” of their caves. • Jug Holes Interpretation Pack

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2. The production of updated and revised parties that developed during this time Shaft Capping Guidelines. This in controlling its continued use. followed concerns that indiscriminate laying of heavy concrete sleepers by 8. Derbyshire Bat Group getting involved the Derbyshire County Council was with local cavers in annual bat causing damage and destroying the awareness workshops centred on the archaeology around mineshaft tops. Via Gellia. The new Guidelines were funded by various organisations, including DCA, 9. The setting up of the Peak District and have now been adopted by DCC. Monitoring website to help monitor SSSI caves for Natural England. 3. The production of Guidelines for Digging at SSSI Cave Sites (This now 10. The prioritising of projects using the needs revising!). annual grant from Natural England to DCA for conservation, plant hire and 4. Developing access and agreements materials. Many such projects have with ‘access controlling bodies’, eg been successfully completed over the Water Icicle access system with years, for example: Orpheus CC/Chatsworth Estates, that protects valuable scientific features • Cave/mine entrance restorations for future generations while at the • Swallets cleared of dumped farm same time maintaining access. rubbish • The clearing up of old and 5. Maintenance of strong abandoned caver digging rubbish communication links with Natural • Mending stiles and walls, including England and other bodies such as the a caver walling workshop Environment Agency, The National • The purchase of a container Trust, Historic England, Peak housing tools and materials for Instructed Caving Affiliation (PICA), future projects Peak District Mines Historical Society • Survey work (PDMHS), Bat Groups, Peak District National Park Authority, etc. The UCF is an open forum for all cavers and organisations interested in conserving caves 6. Working with the Environment Agency and mines mainly, but not exclusively, within to help control sources of cave and SSSIs. mine pollution and help flood alleviation. “The Forum exists to facilitate the exchange of ideas and initiatives on cave and mine 7. Bringing together various companies conservation between the DCA and other like- and interested parties when an issue minded individuals, groups and agencies” involving a cave system needs resolving or discussing. For example, in 2010-2011 isolated incidents of paper pulp dumping, its affects on adjacent underground systems and the David Webb March 2013 partnership between the interested updated by Christine Wilson Dec 2016

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Eyam Dale House Cave

Access to the above site has not been Alan Brentnall and Ann Soulsby checked out a available for some time. The late John Beck new route from Eyam Dale and met the new used to administer access and provide a key to owner on my behalf. Pete Knight and his cavers when they called at Glebe Cottage in willing volunteers have slightly amended this Eyam but his death and the subsequent route, gardened it and will be putting change of ownership at Eyam Dale House reflective markers on the route to aid route meant that a new access agreement had to be finding. Pete has added a combination arranged. The new owner wasn't living in the padlock to the lid. village so reaching him was troublesome but Eyam resident Ian Smith managed to get a Thanks to the following: Ian Smith, Alan note to him. I succeeded in reaching him and Brentnall, Ann Soulsby, Pete Knight, Beth negotiated the new access agreement via Knight, Adam Russell, Roy Rodgers, Simon email but approach to the cave was to be from Mee, Kev West, Mike Smith and Rachel Smith Eyam Dale below and the lid had to be secured for their time and labour in helping secure without bothering the landowner for a key. continued access to this site.

Wayne Sheldon

New Access Route

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The team hard at work on creation of the new access path to Eyam Dale House Mine (Photos: Pete Knight)

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“Cave Life of the Year - Food For Thought?”

A personal reflection from the 4th Eurospeleo Protection of the Underground Environment - Protection Symposium at Dalesbridge - ‘Caves Who Values What and Why? and Karst - Protection and Conservation under EU Law’ The Swiss quite are happy to part with tens of thousands of francs to re-divert water back into the roof of a cave system whose normal downward movement of water would have been prevented by the mass of concrete structures, a roadway tunnel, built over it. All this for the preservation and continued growth of speleothems!

In addition to monitoring geological features, chemical and physical parameters for statutory reasons the Germans also value their cave life and monitor it regularly and thoroughly, as Germans do. However, they only monitor the animals not the fungi or bacteria or the plants living in the This was open to various countries from around twilight/transition zone or just outside the the world, not just Europe. It was interesting to entrance. The UK, on the other hand, only see how other countries managed conservation, monitors geological features, chemical and the caving community and the public with the physical parameters. resources and funding they had to hand.

Legislation

EU countries implemented EU legislation into their own domestic laws to differing extents, some having higher standards than set by the EU and some at the minimum requirement (or lower). EU laws relevant to caves are, firstly, the Habitats Directive for habitat protection under two annexes. Annex 1 and the most relevant to caves is ‘Habitat 8310 - caves not open to the public’. The presence of any bats (Annex 2 species) in a There is also protection for individual species, for cave system, in one country, meant an outright example bats, under Annex 2. Special Areas of ban to both cavers and the public. This was Protection (SACs) are set up/designated to protect achieved by use of a very large and non-discreet habitats and/or individual species. Another EU law exclusion fence. I am not sure if this approach relevant to the cave environment is the Water would go down all that well in the UK! Framework Directive (WFD) and its ‘daughter directive‘ the Ground Water Directive (GWD) and A common theme felt at the symposium was a between them they afford a catchment based passion for protecting cave systems and life within approach to protect all water resources, including it. The differences were the extent to which each surface, coastal, transitional and groundwaters for country implemented environmental laws and this the benefit of people, ecosystems and the may be due to the value seen in protecting it and environment generally. Non- EU countries like funding made available to their protection agencies. Switzerland sees the high value and Norway, Switzerland and Australia have their own gives the money, however as a federal state it is equivalent legislation to protect what they value. the choice of the 26 regional cantons as to how 8 they implement environmental legislation. Some Animal of the Year’ in which to achieve this. A do have policies to protect caves whereas others different animal is celebrated each year via barely recognize that caves exist. leaflets, social media and schools/education establishments and its picture even printed on t The fact that the WFD/GW legislation exists shirts. proves, somewhere along the line, that policy makers have been given the proof that it is important to maintain clean and unpolluted waters and ecosystems for us. Subsequently, mechanisms to monitor these were devised amongst scientists and policy makers. Certain assemblages of water life act as biological parameters to use alongside the physical and the chemical parameters to measure pollutants in surface waters. However, in groundwater only physical and chemical parameters are measured, why the difference? It was recognised and discussed that our EU policy makers may have The UK? Brexit or not there is still evidence enough never been made aware of the ability of the that our waters need protecting for our benefit so underground ecology to both act as a biological assume it will be, but to what extent? Can we get pollution indicator and as an important resource policy makers/funding providers to recognise that to protect. Quite simply, if there is no evidence our cave life is of value too? given to them to say otherwise then no policies or directions can be drawn up and made law. It UK cave life is different from that on the continent seems fairly obvious and logical, with this in mind, due to its geographical/physical isolation and past why funding for underground conservation climatic conditions. For reasons mentioned in projects from national governments within the EU paragraphs above, UK caves are perceived as not seems to be not very forthcoming and why the having much life in them. Caves are not included future of our caves and life within them could be in the Yorkshire Dales Natura 2000‘s SAC threatened or not protected to a level that they designation. In fact caves, generally, are not the should be. primary reason for selection of any SAC in the UK due to (quote NE) “the impoverished nature of Where are we at? cavernicolous fauna...” Just having bats may not be enough! But have we really got an Various speakers acknowledged that a ‘better and impoverished fauna problem or have we just not stronger linkage’ needed to be made between the found it, researched it or just not passed the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework information to people that need it. Our fauna has Directive/Ground Water Directive. For example, been isolated geographically so does not that fact the groundwaters need to have an ecological alone make it unique? Is it just fauna we should be monitoring status that doesn’t just consider interested in? Fungi and bacteria exist in caves and physical and chemical parameters. The ecology plants at their entrances are also are part of the needs to be seen to be of use and worth cave ecosystem and these may link to protecting, ie having value, in order for a policy neighbouring terrestrial systems too. There is maker to use it. Presently, the policy makers have evidence that cave life has had medicinal uses in no data of life in caves, its biology, ecology, and the past and may do so in the future. Some cave their importance and relationship to ecosystems bacteria seen to possess anti-bacterial properties outside and to people. may be used to develop future antibiotics - see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19520629 . Germany is addressing this issue and engaging not There is a potential to put a value on our cave life, just cavers but the general public to marvel and to be able to use it as a biological indicator of begin to value the strange life found beneath their pollution and as an important resource to us and feet. They have developed a themed event ‘Cave to other ecosystems. There are so many unknowns

9 and the fact that it is all underground does add an sections on animals, fungi, bacteria and plants. extra challenge logistically but some countries Add links/headings to: have made a start and help can be sought. Cambrian Caving Council’s cave life webpage at • http://www.cambriancavingcouncil.org.u Small Beginnings... k/cavelife/index.html • cave life research By increasing the value of our caves we could also • BCRA afford not only their own better protection but also the protection of other ecosystems / systems dependent on it that exist outside the cave or downstream in the catchment. It may allow our protection agencies to have more clout at prosecuting folk that pollute water and systems that rely on it, via the ‘polluter pays principal’. Remember the Paper pulp issue in Peak and difficulties we all had at proving it was a pollution problem?

What can we do to increase the profile and value of UK caves and help start the process of increasing the level of protection of cave systems? 2 Link caving/caves/mines/cave life with How can we get more people interested and National Park’s Landscape partnership Nat Park 8 knowledgeable about cave related ‘stuff’ and point plan, ie more people wanting to research it and share their • Point 1 - Connect young people with findings? Do you ever wonder why there are so nature many flies in some cave entrances and none in • Point 7 - Landscape and heritage in others and what they feed on or do? Have you National Parks ever come across white slimy stuff ‘moonmilk’ and • Point 8 - Health and wellbeing in Nat Parks thought ‘what is it?’ and ‘how it is made?’. Have (realise the immense potential for you wondered what makes those sparkling outdoor recreation in National Parks). patches of white reflecting in your cave light? https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/syste m/uploads/attachment_data/file/509916/nation Start looking... asking… al-parks-8-point-plan-for-england-2016-to- 2020.pdf The above article and ideas below, are very much ‘work in progress’ and I wish to thank 3 Have a look at the Heritage Lottery Fund at representatives of the BCRA and Natural England https://www.hlf.org.uk/looking-funding/our- that have already begun to contributed to it. If grant-programmes and consider grant to push you wish to comment or contribute, please feel ideas forward. Either “Your Heritage” large grant free and contact Christine Wilson at or a smaller grant, eg “Sharing Heritage” which [email protected] or on 01433 would involve less work. 621149 (snail mail address can be supplied on request). 4 Approach BCRA, who are interested in developing more holistic research on caves (ie DCA’s small beginnings/ideas (please feel free to studying all the ‘ologies’ for a particular cave and add): how they interrelate). Such a study or studies could give caves a raised public profile e.g. via 1 Update DCA website’s ‘Access and social media and possibly involve community Conservation’ section. Add more sub sections on participation from interested public (non-cavers). range of activities and studies that go in cave/mines, for example, archaeology, mine 5 … ? history, hydrology. Include a devoted section under on ‘Cave life in Derbyshire’ to include sub Christine Wilson

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WORK AT HOLME BANK CHERT MINE

Entrances in the top quarry

Originally the quarry (occupying most of OS filed no 3140) contained four entrances, but only two have been open since the 1990s. These are numbered on the survey as 6 and 8 and both were fitted with a lockable hinged gate. Entrance no 6 came to be designated as the authorised entrance or exit for visiting cavers and has traditionally been secured with a combination padlock. Entrance no 8 became solely an exit point, being fitted for this purpose with a cylinder lock opened from inside only.

Entrance no 8 prior to the commencement of work (Photo: Pete Knight)

Holme Bank Chert Mine surveyed by Martin Critchley et al 1974 and redrawn by Roger Flindall 1997

Hazards posed by entrance no 8

Sometimes mistakenly referred to as the oil drum entrance, this was always the most visible way into Inside entrance no 8 prior to commencement of work the mine. Located at the end of the track into the (Photo: C J Wright) quarry, its unusual feature consisted of two large metal tubs full of rocks stacked on top of each The obliteration of entrance no 8 other and resting in turn on a thick-gauge metal cylinder. This feature hid, as can be seen, a In July 2016 the hinged metal door of the ‘drum’ partially collapsed and highly unstable portal in was welded shut as the first stage of a project, the cliff face. The metal cylinder is not the usual oil sanctioned by the owner, to close this route drum which would have been crushed under the permanently as a way in or out of the mine. By the weight from above. The photographs below show end of the month work had begun on blocking up the view of entrance no 8 from both outside and the gap at roof level using large blocks of stone inside (ignore the caver wiping dust from his taken from abandoned heaps located around the boots). quarry floor. These were mortared in place in a bid

11 to deter any further attempts to prise them out again. A breather pipe, installed to help maintain the necessary air flow to this corner of the mine, effectively doubled as a concession to any bats that might be roosting inside.

This early work is illustrated in the photograph below. In the same picture it can be seen that work had also begun on building the wall that was eventually to obliterate all trace of the original entrance. The wall was to be constructed entirely of stone gathered from around the quarry and put together without the aid of mortar, the way the miners had built their walls of ‘deads’ inside the mine. Clearly a lot of stone was required, along with a fair amount of perseverance, to bring the wall to the height and width needed to cover all trace of the tubs and to extend it sideways so as to The finished job meet up with the mortared area. A second (Photo: Pete Knight) breather pipe was incorporated as this work break in) largely because of its location away from the main area where people congregate in the quarry. Entrance no 6 also gives access, should entry be successfully forced, to a much sounder and safer area of the mine.

It is expected that the combination of walled stone and banked gravel now visible where entrance no 8 used to be will soon blend in to become as much a naturally overgrown part of the quarry as the adjacent rock faces and spoil heaps have done.

This report has been put together on behalf of the DCA Conservation and Access Team. The team’s members acknowledge the kind permission extended to them by the owner, Chatsworth Estates, and the tenant, Joe Oldfield of Oldfield The partially completed work Design Ltd, to access the top quarry on multiple (Photo: C J Wright) occasions between the start of July and the end of November 2016. Without their forbearance and progressed. Finally, by the end of November, a mix cooperation the work could not have been done. of soil and gravel was heaped on top and at the base of the finished wall (see photograph below). The following persons contributed time and effort

to the project: Conclusion

Pete Knight, DCA Projects Officer; Andy McHugh; The completed work, in obliterating entrance no Pete Mellors, DCA Legal & Insurance Officer; 8, can justifiably be considered to have removed Jonathan Reeves; Roy Rodgers; Duncan Scurfield; the temptation to non-caving members of the Kevin West; Nick Williams (BCA Equipment & public trespassing in the quarry to enter the mine Techniques Officer) who also contributed via one of its dangerously unstable routes. materials and labour to weld up the door). Entrance no 6 remains in use for cavers and is a less attractive prospect for revellers (although some attempts have been made over the years to Pete Mellors 12

DCA Cave/Mine Conservation Plans – Production Method

Introduction gain the maximum support and expertise and to increase the likelihood of completion all The production of Cave/Mine Conservation Plans proposals will be channelled through a (hereinafter referred to as Conservation Plans and member of the Conservation and Access Team Audits) is seen as a major step in the protection of our (see DCA website and other DCA publications cave and mine resource in that it identifies features for contact details). The proposal will be within a site and defines the perceived vulnerability of, included in the agenda of the next meeting of and threats to, these features and to the site in general. the UCF. This route will also avoid unnecessary This document is produced to guide those undertaking duplication of effort. this important task. 2.3 Priority will be given to newly discovered sites, 1. Five fundamental requirements should be those of exceptional vulnerability, and those born in mind before setting out to produce a exposed to sustained and damaging impact. Conservation Plan:

1.1 It is better to produce a simple plan within a reasonable time scale than a comprehensive and detailed plan that may never get finished or not appear until after features have been destroyed. However, where time permits and the site is not under threat the document should be as comprehensive as possible.

1.2 A plan should exist for the sole purpose of ensuring the long-term survival of the site or features within the site for future generations to enjoy and study. Every plan must contain suggestions for practical conservation and protection measures.

1.3 The plan should contain sufficient material in the shape of description, photographs and survey to make it attractive to as wide a section of cave and mine users as possible.

1.4 Technical terms should be explained in plain 3. The Process. Once agreement has been English. reached on the need to produce a Conservation Plan for a particular site the 1.5 On completion non-sensitive information UCF will: should be accessible to as wide a readership as possible as 3.1 Offer support and encouragement; appropriate. 3.2 Set target dates for monitoring progress and 2. Initiation and prioritising of Conservation dealing with problems; Plans: 3.3 Assist in co-opting team members with 2.1 Initiation and prioritising of Conservation knowledge of the site and the area in which it Plans is normally in the remit of the DCA is located; Underground Conservation Forum (UCF) and recommendations will form part of the 3.4 Liaise with Natural England, Historic England standard agenda. other relevant statutory bodies and landowners; 2.2 Others. Proposals for sites under threat can 3.5 Advise on the availability of funds for come from any source. However, in order to production, publication and distribution. 13

4.4 Current state of the site with summary of damage at time of preparation of the plan.

4.5 External and internal threats.

4.6 Exploration potential including recommended ‘no go’ areas where access would destroy existing important speleological or archaeological features.

4.7 Conservation measures to be taken with practical recommendations for conservation of vulnerable features and priorities for cleaning, zoning, taping, gating, etc.

4.8 Monitoring of the effectiveness of the implemented measures, including recommendations as to how this will be done and who will do it.

4. The Layout Format. The UCF recognise that 4.9 References. the production of any conservation

document is better than none at all, 4.10 Appendices, which should contain especially where specific recommendations photographs (preferably of the fixed point are acted upon. Several differing formats for comparison type), a detailed survey, and any conservation documents exist, from the other relevant documents. simplistic Jug Holes Interpretation Pack to

the highly detailed Cumberland/Wapping 4.11 Access agreement currently in force (refer to Plan. Both are valuable in their own way. DCA Handbook). However, the following layout has been followed by a number of examples and should serve as a basis for future plans. Copies of Conservation Plans already completed can be obtained from the DCA Conservation Officer.

4.1 Introduction 4.1.1 Description of site and current designations and conservation measures in force, eg SSSI, RIGS, SMs.

4.2 History of exploration

4.3 Features of Scientific Interest including: 4.3.1 Geology and cave morphology. 4.3.2 Assessment of geological features. 4.3.3 Hydrology and hydrological relationships. 4.3.4 Archaeology, including material in natural sediments and mined features. 4.3.5 Assessment of archaeological material. 4.3.6 Biology (eg bats and other cave life). Note: Reference should be made to the features requiring monitoring under the Cave Conservation Monitoring Scheme with a full description and current condition. Approved by DCA Council October 2016 14

Recent Finds of Bones in the Peak/Speedwell System

Animal bones are frequently found in only residual amounts of radiocarbon Peak District caves; in most instances were present in the bone, and the date these bones date to the last few of the bone was estimated at greater thousand years but occasionally the than 45,800 years before present. This remains of extinct Ice Age animals are discovery demonstrated that the discovered. One such find was made in vertical shafts above Peak Cavern could 1878 when a tooth of a woolly have provided a route by which ancient rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) bones could enter the cave system. was discovered by children playing in the streambed of Peakshole Water just Cliff Cavern outside the entrance to Peak Cavern. Surprisingly, apart from this isolated In August 2016 Dave Nixon found part early find, the extensive of a large animal bone in a small stream Peak/Speedwell cave system has not passage at the base of Cliff Cavern, been very productive of fossil fauna. which is located further into the The purpose of this report is to Peak/Speedwell system about 300m document some finds of faunal remains west of Titan shaft and 180m below the made during the last 15 years by cavers present day ground surface. The active exploring different parts of Peak and stream may have transported this Speedwell Caverns. bone from Cliffhanger Sump, alternatively the bone could have been Titan Entrance Shaft derived from a nearby filled vertical shaft. There are no known accessible Following the discovery of Titan in 1999 caves or active swallets close to the find an access shaft was excavated from the location, but there are many blocked surface through the sedimentary fill of dolines visible on the ground surface a shakehole. During this dig several above this part of the cave system. small fragments of animal bone were recovered from the shakehole fill at a The bone fragment from Cliff Cavern is level of between 13m and 15m below part of the proximal end of the left the present day ground surface. The radius of a very large bovid, most specimens were fragments from a probably an aurochs or bison (Figure 1). single large bone which was identified The specimen is stained dark brown as part of a large bovid, either the with the staining being similar on the aurochs (extinct wild cattle, Bos intact as well as the broken bone primigenius) or a bison (Bison priscus). surfaces. The broken edge of the bone Radiocarbon dating by the University of shows angular stepped fractures Waikato in New Zealand showed that characteristic of fresh bone breakage, 15 ie the breakage probably occurred (Figure 2). It is difficult to assign this before the bone was deposited into bone to a particular species but its size cave sediments. There is also some is consistent with a large herbivore such evidence of carnivore gnawing on the as cattle, bison or horse. The extent of bone which could have been caused by mineralisation of the bone suggests hyenas. that it may be of considerable age.

Rib found in Victoria Aven Photo: Andrew Chamberlain

The finds from the Titan dig, Cliff Bovid radius found in Cliff Cavern Cavern and Victoria Aven, though few Photo: Andrew Chamberlain in number, provide an indication that

bones of ancient animals have been The bone from Cliff Cavern has not yet deposited in some of the sediments been radiocarbon dated so its age is entering the Peak/Speedwell cave currently unknown, although from its system. Further exploration, especially size, appearance and level of of high level passages, may reveal more mineralisation it is likely to be more evidence of the animals that roamed than 10,000 years old. The bone is the hills in this area during the last Ice currently being analysed for ancient Age. DNA by Dr Ceiridwen Edwards at the

University of Huddersfield. If successful this analysis should enable us to establish which particular bovid species the bone belongs to.

Victoria Aven

Also in August 2016 Phil Wolstenholme,

Christine Wilson and Ann Soulsby discovered a fragment of the rib of a large herbivore in the choke at the top of Victoria Aven. The specimen is 18cm Andrew Chamberlain long and the surface is encrusted in School of Earth and Environmental some places by a thin layer of flowstone Sciences, University of Manchester 16

Recent Restoration of the Ecton Dressing Shed Wall

As part of ongoing conservation work at the Ecton Mines, the back wall of the open-fronted dressing shed on the main dressing floors, built in the mid-1880s, was restored last winter by the Ecton Mines Educational Trust with the aid of a grant from Historic England. The project was managed by Paul Mortimer and included archaeological work which led to the discovery of two large ore hoppers behind the wall.

If any club wants a visit to Deep Ecton or Clayton mines, contact me at [email protected]

John Barnatt

The dressing floor wall before commencement of work (Photo: John Barnatt)

The dressing floor wall after completion of work (Photo: John Barnatt) 17

The Not So Secret Life of Bats

Most people only ever get to see bats when they are out of the sites. The behaviour has been found to be tearing around at night chasing down their prey. strongly associated with mating, and may also help to Perhaps for those that are fortunate to have a bat roost identify and to pass on information about suitable in their house, they will have encountered the odd bat hibernacula to younger bats. that didn’t quite make it home in the morning (usually young bats that try and stay out longer than they should and didn’t make it through the front door). As Derbyshire cavers, we get to see a glimpse of the insight into the more secretive time in a bats life, when they are winding things down ready for winter.

Bats Underground

The Peak District is home to at least ten species of bat, half of which regularly make use of underground sites. These include caves, mines/adits, ice houses and railway tunnels at various times of the year. Members of Derbyshire Bat Conservation Group Natterers Bat in Pooles Cavern (DBCG) have also teamed up with members of (Photo: Jess Eades) Staffordshire Bat Group (SBG) across the border to carry out surveys of caves and mines to record DBCG Autumn Swarming Project hibernating bats. These hibernation surveys have been undertaken throughout Derbyshire and the wider Peak As part of the long-term project plan, several project- District for over 10 years. More recently, starting specific licences have been applied for and around 2013/14 surveys have been undertaken to subsequently granted by Natural England (NE) to identify autumn swarming sites. Prior to 2013, we knew undertake further studies using licensable survey that underground sites were being used for winter methods including the use of harp traps and mist nets hibernation, summer bachelor roosts, maternity colony to capture the bats allowing a greater level of recording roosts and night-time feeding roosts, but no one had such as, species, age, sex, reproductive status, weight, observed bats using such sites for autumn swarming etc. This level of detail has allowed DBCG to build up a behaviour. In the mid-2000’s Leeds University was picture of how bats are using the sites. recording large numbers of bats swarming around underground sites in the Yorkshire Dales (research was The project has three main aims. These are: mostly focused around the Ease Gill system). There was anecdotal evidence of swarming activity taking place at • To establish the presence of Alcathoe’s bat a site in the Peak District (Staffordshire) from the late within the county of Derbyshire and the Peak 1990s/early 2000s, but it had never been followed up. District; The next logical step forward for DBCG was to • To establish the species of bats swarming at undertaken surveys to establish if swarming behaviour underground sites within the county of was taking place in the county. Derbyshire and the Peak District (at both known hibernation sites and previously un- What is autumn swarming? surveyed systems); • To establish the numbers of bats swarming at Different species of bat use different techniques to underground sites within the above areas. If maintain genetic diversity within the populations. All Alcathoe’s bat is found to be present, the UK bat species mate in the autumn and three species study will establish which underground sites groups are known to display swarming behaviour – the this species uses for swarming and Myotis genus (this consists of six species in the UK), hibernation. brown long-eared and barbastelle bats. Since the start of the Autumn swarming project, a The behaviour known as autumn swarming takes place number of underground sites have been surveyed around underground sites which are often winter including; hibernation sites. Bats of the above species chase each other around outside the entrances and also in and • Good Luck Mine

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• Jacob’s Dream Mine February: Bats are still hibernating. They have little fat • Jug Holes Cave and Mine left to live off of now. They may leave the roost on • Owl Hole Cave warmer nights to find food and a drink of water. • Silver Eye Mine March: Bats may begin to emerge and signs of limited activity can be seen. There are small numbers feeding Steven Roe of DBCG has produced a series of Summary as it gets warmer. In bad weather, they may become Reports following each year’s surveys. These Summary torpid. Reports are all freely available to download from the DBCG website. If you find bats underground

Results from the 2016 surveys are still being tabulated • By all means have a brief look - it is only by as I write this article. It would appear so far, that doing this that we begin to appreciate what it autumn swarming activity takes place at most is that we are trying to conserve, but bear in underground sites within the county. Three important mind that your body heat could arouse the bat sites for autumn swarming activity have been from its torpid state which may be harmful to confirmed (Jug Holes Cave and Mine, Owl Hole Cave the bat, so keep any observations brief and and Jacob’s Dream mine) as a direct result of the study. don't linger. • Don't be tempted to touch or handle them. Prior to the 2016 surveys, DBCG had undertaken 24 The law requires all handlers to possess a surveys at 10 sites and caught 306 bats of 6 species. The licence from Natural England and you could do information gathered has significantly expanded the significant harm to the bat without the proper knowledge of how some bat species use sites around training. the Peak District. • Don't shine bright lights directly on bats or use flashguns near bats. Doing so can disturb them (a licence is required to photograph bats). • Please submit the records to DBCG (the website has a very easy record form). Within the DBCG website there is also a link to send records for within Staffordshire also.

Over the years there have been several training sessions led by Jessica Eades to help inform cavers on bat conservation, which cover; evidence of bats, species identification, ecology and behaviour, tips on creating bat friendly shaft capping and gating (if restricting for other non-bat reasons is necessary) amongst other things. Jess runs these sessions during the winter months of January and February each year Whiskered Bat with condensation – Via Gellia when it’s most likely to encounter hibernating bats to (Photo: Jess Eades) allow people the chance to get up close and personal.

Jess has been a licensed bat worker for 9 years working A brief summary of the life cycle of bats - What both professionally and voluntarily within bat are bats up to now? conservation.

November: Periods of torpor are lasting longer. Some If you are interested in attending a bat training session begin hibernation, to save energy over the colder please contact Jess via email on months, when insects are harder to find. They are using [email protected] . stored fat as fuel. December: Bats are hibernating. They may roost on their own or in small groups, often in cool, quiet places like disused buildings, old trees or caves, where they hopefully won't be disturbed. January: Bats spend most of the winter hibernating, a state of inactivity characterised by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Jessica Eades

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The back cover to this edition illustrates a horror story, damage to stalactites in Giants Hole, Castleton, discovered in February 2010. As the formations were located in a remote location with a difficult access it is assumed that the vandals must have been cavers. Their identity has never been discovered. The pieces of stalactite were recovered and stored by with a view to gluing them back into place but the exposed position and the need for scaffolding meant that this was not feasible.

Nigel Atkins pointing out the damaged stalactites (Photographer unknown)

The stalactites in their original condition (Photo: Paul Deakin)

The damaged pieces of stalactite awaiting removal into storage (Photo: Dave Webb)

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