The

DERBYSHIRE CAVER

No 135 Autumn 2014

The late Keith Joule on the first pitch of a Gavel Pot – Short Drop Cave exchange trip IN THIS ISSUE – • Pete Mellors on the Key • Happy memories of Keith Joule from those who knew him • Fay Hartley on Coalpithole No 10 Shaft

and much more . . . .

The newsletter of the DERBYSHIRE CAVING ASSOCIATION

£2.00

THE DERBYSHIRE CAVER

No 135 Autumn 2014

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

CONTENTS :

Editorial ...... 3 The first DCA Newsletter ...... 3 Farewell Keith ...... 4

DCRO Call Outs ...... 8 Cliffhanger 2014 ...... 9 Coalpithole Shaft 10 ...... 10 Lids and Gates ...... 11 White Hall Centre ...... 13 Winnats Head Cave – new anchors ...... 14 Reynards Kitchen ...... 15 Photos – Cliffhanger ...... 16

Cover photograph courtesy of Des Kelly

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 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, 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 THE 1ST DCA NEWSLETTER

Following on from the introduction of the colour The very first Derbyshire Caving Association front cover in the last issue, the back cover is now Newsletter was produced in February 1962 (The also in colour, with a selection of photos from the Derbyshire Caver title didn’t come into being until Cliffhanger event in Millhouses Park, Sheffield, in 1998 under Iain Barker’s editorship), consisting of June. From the next issue, scheduled to be Spring 5 duplicated typewritten pages. There was the 2015, I would like to be able to use the back usual appeal for articles and information, cover for photographs from cavers whose work followed by a report on the DCA AGM held on isn’t usually published. I know that there are 21st October 1961 at the Eagle Hotel, , no plenty of cavers in Derbyshire who, like myself, doubt a more comfortable venue than Monyash take photos for their own pleasure and if you Village Hall. Geoff Workman was elected have one that you are particularly proud of and Chairman, Dave Allsop Hon Treasurer and D J would like to see in print, please send it in to me, Brindley Hon Secretary. preferably by email and as a .jpeg file, with a view to it appearing on the back page. It just needs to Amongst other business was agreement to hold a be of an underground scene in or near the Peak Congress at Buxton Town Hall in September, a District, whether cave or mine, and, naturally, in proposal to fit a gate on Carlswark Cavern, and colour. the setting up of a card index of farmers relative to caves, etc. An anonymous donation of £1.00 to Colour printing comes at a cost, of course, and DCA funds was reported. the cover price of “The Derbyshire Caver” is now £2.00. However, this is the first price increase The newsletter included a report by John Robey since Spring 2000, and there can be few on the 3rd International Speleological Congress publications that have held their price for that held in Austria. This started with an opening length of time. At less than the cost of a decent ceremony and excursions at Graz, moved on to pint of beer it still represents very good value for Vienna for lectures and films, progressed to money. Dachstein for visits to caves and prehistoric salt mines and finished at Salzburg for the final Readers will notice that, after a life of some 10 sessions. years, the “News From Around The Peak” feature has been dropped. I struggled to fill a page in the Details were given of the discovery of Thistle Pot last issue with small news items and the reality is by Pegasus Caving Club and of recent digging that people now get their news instantly via there. They had high hopes that “a new system social media, websites and email. has been discovered with all the continental trimmings which one often reads about but never DCA Vice-Chairman sees in this country”.

In the absence of any volunteers to replace Bob The death of Eli Simpson in Skipton Hospital on Dearman as Chairman of DCA, it was agreed at 1st February was reported followed by a brief the Council Meeting on 28th June to co-opt Terry obituary. Jackson to fill this post until the next AGM. Consequently, the position of vice-chairman is Finally, it was noted that the Derbyshire Caving now vacant and DCA Members should contact Association now had 7 member clubs and 6 Jenny Potts with suggested nominations as soon associate members. as possible. The cost of the newsletter to non-members was 1/- post free (5p in modern money).

Mike Higgins Mike Higgins

3

FAREWELL KEITH

Keith Joule, DCRO Controller, cave explorer, back into one of the crazy crawls below Toad member of TSG and Crewe CPC and a thoroughly Haul when Keith realised that, as he crawled, the good mate to all, died of a heart attack on Easter boulders were moving along at the same pace; Sunday 2014 while walking over to Easegill for a spotting him back from a climb up into a natural Top Sink to Lancaster trip. Here are a few shaft in the lower (normally flooded) section of tributes and memories from some of the many Raven Mine, when he realised that he’d done “a people who knew him and were close to him. bridge too far” - and many other dramas. But he always survived these escapades, with a rich tale to tell afterwards.

Not that it was always Keith who came unstuck; he came to my rescue on two occasions. The first was in Dowbergill, when we’d taken the wrong traverse line, and I slipped in the narrow fissure and become badly jammed by my personal tackle bag and belt. After several attempts to sort me out, Keith took great delight in slicing through my belt with his knife and thus allowing me to slide down to the icy canal. The other occasion was a time when I was working for Ralph’s Up & Down Adventures company, leading a group of undergraduate vets in P8, and I came down with a debilitating dose of food poisoning. In the ensuing DCRO callout, Keith was the underground From Alan Brentnall controller and when he stuck his head into Ralph’s emergency KISU and saw my miserable I first met Keith while we were both serving beer “sorry-for-myself” face, he just laughed and behind the DCRO bar at the 1999 Hidden Earth laughed so much that I couldn’t but help but see Conference in Buxton. We got to chatting about the funny side of it all (I was DCRO’s Training Derbyshire caves and caving, and we obviously Officer at the time!). But the evacuation plan and both enjoyed caving. Not long after, Keith tagged execution he put on was second to none, and I onto our mid-week caving group, KCC, and that was very proud to be a customer of my own team was the start of a long friendship which lasted that day. right up to Keith’s death this year. My last trip with Keith, not long before his death, Of course I’d heard all about Keith’s exploits long was the classic Croesor-Rhosydd traverse in the before I met him, and I was surprised how Moelwyns –an excellent trip which neither of us friendly and supportive he was in real life; not the had done previously. Keith was his usual cheerful hard caver that came across from the articles in self, making the most of each adventure to the Descent! But caving with Keith was always full as it popped up; shouting “Yee Hah!!” on the interesting; his involvement went way back, and zip-wire, leaping about on the “Bridge of Death” he always had an interesting story to tell. and generally enjoying the trip to the full.

We caved regularly, and not only in the Peak, but Like many other cavers in the Peak District, I find also in Yorkshire, Wales, Mendip, North Pennines it very difficult to understand that my regular and even further afield in the Dubs in France and caving partner and friend, once such a large in Mallorca. Keith was a super-safe bloke to cave presence, has suddenly gone. But the memories with, although he had a reputation for relishing linger on, and I know that it will be a long time “near death experiences”, as he called them. I before people will stop mentioning Keith’s name can remember pulling him out by the ankles from when they talk about a particular cave trip, the CO2-infested SUSS dig in Robin Shaft; going because I’m sure that we’ve all got special

4 memories of Keith – not simply because of caving the girls would always come back wet and and cave discovering, but because of the warmth muddy, with a tale to tell, of how they got stuck and friendship he brought to our sport. in a hole, or got lost somewhere! But I could rely on him 100% to bring them home safe. From Wendy Noble My more recent memories of Keith has got to be Keith as we all knew him was a very smiley, kind at our grand daughters Morrigan and Liezah's and funny person with a great sense of humour birthday parties. Emma would always go to LOTS to match. If you ever look at a photo of Keith of trouble and have a fantastic theme to these we've noticed that in every single one of them, celebrations. I remember Keith turning up at he's smiling or doing something daft! Morrigan’s pirate-themed party a couple of years ago dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow. Quite over Keith ALWAYS had the ability to laugh at himself! the top of course, and in full costume and Things were never dull with Keith around, he was makeup, wielding a sword and making a big quite a chatterbox at times, forwarding his entrance! He made us all laugh ... although to a opinions of life to anyone who'd listen. He could three year old, it was a tiny bit scary! be quite argumentative and stubborn at times too! Ha! Were all going to miss Keith and especially my daughters Emma and Jenni who are so going to Keith had a great love of music especially Irish miss their old dad. He laughed with them, and music. We listened to it endlessly at home and joked with them, he shared his experiences with loved going to folk clubs in the 80's, one of his them, but NEVER EVER let them win at anything!! favourite groups being the Fureys. Keith will always be loved and remembered.

I have some great memories of Keith, from From Keith’s daughter, Jenni camping in the Lakes and Dales to our Skiing trips to the Alps with our girls, and of course caving all We always joked that he's probably spent years over Derbyshire, Yorkshire dales, South Wales underground, sliding his way through the mud and Mendip. Most weekends though we would and squeezing through the passages of spend at the Chapel in Castleton, doing daft stuff: Derbyshire and the Yorkshire Dales underground caving, drinking beer and playing games of systems, the places he felt most at home. I loved Mozzies! (As some of you reading this will his enthusiasm for caving. remember!) Sometimes for a change we would play the war game "RISK". Not too often though, He would sit for hours telling me and my sister of as Keith was very serious about this game, and, if adventures, spectacular and stupid, boulder it got to the stage where he thought he was choke mishaps and near death 'excitements' about to lose, he'd tip up the board, so no one which would scare us, but we could see the could win! Ha! twinkle in his eyes as he told them. He lived for the adventures and stories he told. Keith was also a keen gardener, taught well by his parents he spent many happy hours planting and On the caving trips we did together, I could see growing flowers. Our girls loved to help out too! that dad had a way of making people around him He would wheel a barrow on to their house just feel safe. I loved his laid back, friendly attitude to up the road and come back with it brimming with life, a smile and chuckle would always make me bedding plants to go in our garden. His dad grew feel in safe hands. That and knowing that dad these every year, our gardens were spectacular! would rather chew off his arm if he were stuck, Keith adored his parents and looked after them than have the embarrassment of calling the cave well. rescue out!!!

Keith was a loving father to my two beautiful girls He would always make me laugh, always had a whom he adored. He took them on many silly story to tell, and a good 'BOO' waiting adventures! (I'm saying an adventure because it around the corner. was never, "just a trip out for the day") whether it was caving, a skiing holiday, or walking the hills, He taught me so much and I feel like it was only

5 just the beginning. I will never have the same Paracetam-ole, the Wet West in Glebe and knowledge as dad did for caving but I can't help beyond sump 5 in Merlins to name a few. wanting a piece of what he had. He joined the TSG and spent nearly every I can't begin to unravel his life in words, the weekend at the Chapel, where some great mountains he's climbed, caves he's explored and friendships were formed. Keith’s ability to find amazing experiences he's had. The life he has led fun in anything he did endeared him to most of has always inspired me to do the same. the other members, and his pranks were legendary and, mostly, tolerated (even the one I am on an adventure for you now. Dad, you are with the 5 gallon drum of Artex through the my hero! trapdoor!). Again, digging was the thing. He was instrumental in finding the dry connection From friend and fellow explorer, Mark Noble between Peak Cavern & Speedwell, Lower Calesdale cave was extended, the Earth Leakage Keith left this world on Easter Sunday, doing what boulder choke was passed in Giants hole … the he loved best, “caving” in the company of friends, list goes on. of which he had many. He was a member of the DCRO, an underground Keith first joined the South Yorkshire Caving Club controller, always leading from the front, and an in 1973 A very active club at the time, there were inspiration to other team members. He knew trips every weekend and most evenings, he everything there was to know about caving gear - would make every effort to be on them and if no a knowledge he would readily pass on to others, one was caving he would be in Tony Buckley’s He went on to cave with the Crewe Climbing & cellar making ladders or scrutinising surveys. Pothole Club, who he was with on Easter Sunday, when he died, and lots of messages have been The SYCC & SUSS would meet up on Thursday received saying what a great bloke he was to cave nights in Sheffield and various members, with. including Keith, were conscripted to help out on freshers’ meets in the Dales. He soon became a CZ motorbikes, cider in Mendip, falling down member and caved regularly with them, slowly mountains, swing low sweet chariot, Mozzies, ticking off the classics. Chas Younge and Pete woolly hats, trapped under a raft on boxing day, Lord introduced him to SRT, and, being one of the bog snorkelling, mud fights and incredibly first in the club to get a set of Jumars and a figure desperate digs are some of my own memories. of 8, he became very proficient (in spite of the Those who spent time with him will have their ropes and techniques which were around at the own memories; I think he will be remembered time). well by all who knew him.

Digging was another big thing with the South From DCRO Chairman, Bill Whitehouse: Yorkshire and SSUSS. They had just broken through Porth Crawl in the Dynamite series of Keith had been on the caving scene in Derbyshire Carlswark, Keith was inspired and so began his from the early 1970s since when he spent most life-long quest for new cave. He spent countless of his free time either caving, digging or arguing hours searching the hillsides for the slightest sign good naturedly about both. Over the years he of somewhere to dig. The first taste of new must have explored underground Derbyshire in passage came in Ivy Green Cave, when an easy more detail than probably anyone else, although dig at the end broke through into a couple of there were few serious gaps in his knowledge of hundred feet of new passage. other caving areas either.

Stoney Middleton became the SYCC main Keith was a dedicated and courageous digger stomping ground and John Beck was inevitably who, although involved in a number of successful encountered, and so began an introduction to projects (eg Big Dig, Hunger Hill, Peak/Speedwell) some of the most squalid digging on earth. Over he undoubtedly deserved much, much more from the years Keith was involved in many new his endless sheer effort and perseverance. discoveries in Stoney Middleton: the Big Dig series in Carlswark, Hungerhill Swallet, In the late 1970’s Keith joined Derbyshire CRO

6 and quickly became one of its principal sharp end There were also pushing trips, many times just stalwarts – a role he retained right up to the end. the two of us. I recall a two man trip to try to He was appointed one of DCRO’s leaders in 1995 loosen the boulder ruckle at the far end of Lower and then a controller in 1998. Keith was Cales Dale, we went over on our motorbikes and undoubtedly happiest underground during a one of us (can’t remember which one) got a rescue where he was second to none and could puncture on the way there, and sorting that out always be relied on to get things sorted and make made us late entering the cave and as we the right things happen. He is going to be terribly descended the sky was turning grey. Undeterred, missed and very difficult to replace. we made our way down and as we progressed the banter died away and we continued in In losing Keith the caving world has lost one of its silence, thinking of the flood potential and pub nicest characters. He was a talented and opening time. As we got to the final rift and the knowledgeable caver, a daring digger, a skilled boulder ruck, we sat for few seconds assessing rescue leader and great company. the situation and with hardly a word spoken agreed to leave the digging bars and rope there And three call outs in four days starting with one and beat a quick retreat. We never went back during your wake – OK Keith, a jokes a joke but and I assume the tackle is still there! will you please stop it now! Then there was the time Keith ‘rescued’ me on From DCA Chairman, Terry Jackson another two man trip down one of the lesser holes in Middleton Dale. Keith had spotted a I first met Keith in the early 1970’s, I was likely lead and wanted another look with a responsible for a couple of groups of caving slimmer caver—guess who? We stuck boiler suits newbies and we used to rendezvous at Bills café on and bobbed down, he stuffed me down this under Lovers leap at Stoney Middleton for impossible hole with instructions to report back breakfast There we kept bumping into these two with descriptions of ‘caverns measureless to guys (Mark & Keith) who were helping out John man’. Of course it didn’t go anywhere and my Beck on Big Dig in Carlswark. Over the weeks we boiler suit rucked up on the way out, Keith had to got to know each other and this culminated in pull up on my collar to straighten it out before I them persuading me to the Three Stags Head for could climb out, he never let me forget the time a TSG monthly meeting where I was press-ganged he ‘rescued’ the Bograt. into joining. This was the start of a superb caving relationship, it was the first time for a long time I Although usually reliable, I remember a time had caved with a group of folks within my own when we arranged a big digging meet at Dead abilities and so did not have to take full Dog Hole. The night before at the Three Stags responsibility for rigging, life lining etc. and Keith Head, Fred (the landlord) had acquired a couple was always a dependable and capable partner. of packs of Lindisfarne Mead at a cheap price, and one of these packs found its way home with Over this period SRT was in its infancy and we Mark & Keith and disappeared before morning. developed our systems together, many amusing The two of them did turn up at the dig, but hours where spent on the continuous rope rigged proceeded to lie on the bank in the sun, groaning up in the TSG Chapel whilst we tried out new in a most convincing manner. methods. Keith’s mischievous sense of humour certainly came to the fore if he was controlling Keith was always there with an encouraging word the rope feed and let it slip at some very for those having problems underground. One inopportune moments and many a session that sticks in my mind was on an awkward collapsed in helpless laughter. We always got him pushing trip in Waterfall Hole, finding myself in back though and, when he was the brunt, it was an uncompromising position halfway up a vicious always taken in good heart. rift climb. I was encouraged by Keith quoting from the guide book ‘rescue of an injured person Keith was always a pleasure to cave with and we would be almost impossible though the tight had some excellent trips, with a lot of barracking entrance passages’. while route-finding through such places as Top Sink Lancaster, Top Entrance OFD, Dowber Gill Goodbye Keith, and thanks for the memories. etc – it was always good fun to have Keith about.

7

DCRO CALL OUTS

Since the last issue of “The Derbyshire Caver” was DCRO team members arrived. A DCRO team of published the following Derbyshire Cave Rescue nearly thirty attended supported by paramedics Organisation call outs have taken place: from the EMAS Cave Rescue Support Unit. The woman, who was suffering from a suspected 7-27/2/2014 - STEINUGLEFLAGET & PLURA broken ankle was brought out to the surface just RESURGENCE, NORWAY. Not perhaps strictly a after midnight and taken to hospital. DCRO call out but the BCRC Overseas Diving Team are included as part of DCRO for insurance SATURDAY 3/5/2014 - P8, CASTLETON. A caver and administrative purposes. Two Finnish cave with an experienced caving group from the West divers died whilst attempting the diving through Midlands slipped and fell a short distance while trip from the Plura River resurgence to the negotiating the main streamway close to Ben's Steinugleflaget cave in Plurdal, just South of the Dig. The man dislocated his shoulder. The group Arctic Circle. The Norwegian authorities were able to get their companion nearly to the requested the help of the BCRC team to foot of the Second Pitch and then some of them investigate the accident site and attempt to went to the surface to get help. A DCRO team of recover the bodies of the two Finns who were about 25 attended and, in a four hour operation, trapped in a constriction at a depth below water treated the injured man and assisted him on his of about 110 metres. The team and their safe return to the surface. equipment were flown to Norway. There they successfully dived down to the accident site and SUNDAY 4/5/2014 - ROWTER HOLE, CASTLETON. took photographs for the authorities. They made An alert was raised when a solo caver was an attempt to recover the bodies in extremely reported overdue. A small initial team attended difficult conditions but were unable to free them. and made contact with a party of cavers who The Norwegian authorities then decided that no were in the entrance shaft. They reported that further risks should be taken and further diving they had heard the overdue caver calling for help operations were called off. and had gone to rescue her from the difficulties she was in on a climb deeper into the mine. The SATURDAY 19/4/2014 - MINESHAFT, BERRYSTALL DCRO team then stood by until the she had made LODGE, BRADWELL MOOR. DCRO were asked to her own way safely to the surface. assist the Fire Service to recover six (!) lambs who had fallen into a mineshaft. The lambs were only SATURDAY 10/5/2014 - GENTLEWOMAN’S SHAFT, about five or six metres down the shaft in a short MATLOCK. A party of four cavers descended blocked level under some deads supported by a Gentlewoman's Shaft intended to do a through wooden stemple. The Multipod was rigged to trip to exit via Youds Level in Matlock Bath. They facilitate a safe descent clear of the loose shaft were unable to find the correct route and top and one team member descended. He returned to the shaft. Unfortunately they did not captured the lambs one by one with a noose pole have the right kit with them to climb back to the to avoid having to go under the deads. They were surface and so they were marooned. A DCRO then bagged and drawn up to the surface in a team of 25 attended when the party were number of separate hauls. Four of the lambs reported overdue. Initially it was considered were alive and seemingly well but unfortunately safest to guide the party to exit via Youds Level as two were recovered dead. they had originally intended but some of the escorted cavers encountered difficulties on the THURSDAY 1/5/2014 - DEVONSHIRE CAVERN, climbs and so a return was made to MATLOCK BATH. A novice caver on an evening Gentlewoman's shaft. Here, after some time was trip fell about seven metres in a rift near to spent clearing vegetation and safely rigging the Waterfall Aven. Her companion went to the shaft, the marooned cavers were hauled out to surface and telephoned for assistance. DCRO was the surface. alerted and also the ambulance service HART team. A HART team paramedic entered the cave with the casualty's companion before the first Information courtesy of DCRO

8

CLIFFHANGER 2014

This open air event has been taking place on a Altogether a very successful weekend due summer weekend in Sheffield for several years. It entirely to the large number of cavers who is an activity weekend aimed at both children and volunteered to help run the event. Many helpers their parents. The former are free when came over the period between Friday evening set accompanied by parents. This year it was held at up to Sunday afternoon clearup. Thanks must go Millhouses Park on 21st and 22nd June and the to many people: Thanks to Nigel (and all his weekend turned out to be a hot and dry two friends who I have not got names for) and Colum, days. who supplied equipment, gave us Insurance cover and put in a mammoth stint on both days On offer were a huge variety of activities from of the event. To Kat Rivett and daughter (sorry abseiling, climbing, biking, running, sub-aqua and I’ve lost your name) who turned up out of the many others including countryside events, blue to help both days. To Paul, Dave P, Ian, Roy, National Trust activities and local Council outdoor Ann and Brian who helped set up, run the events sessions. There were also plenty of catering and clear away on the Sunday evening. To Robin outlets to keep you well fed. who was there from Friday until Sunday evening, and especially to David Steward who came on Caving was well represented. Derbyshire Caving Friday and stayed on site right through to even Association (supported by some finance from the help reload the Cave on the Monday morning. British Caving Association) agreed to run a caving Last but not least to Jenny who manned the compound as in previous years. The site we information tent and did a sterling job. selected, repositioned from our previous event at Millhouses due to tree felling, had a large tree The event is likely to run again next year but the which proved useful in two ways. It gave us exact date is unknown though probably around shelter from a very hot sun but more important the beginning of July. All offers of help will be we could hang a caving ladder from a high branch very welcome, setting up on the Friday evening, and lifeline safely from ground level. The DCA giving whatever time you can spare over the Cave was present - four box sections hidden weekend or clearing away on the Sunday under a cover, fairly long with a few bends and afternoon. needing a light. Boyd Potts Both attractions were very busy with the cave having a constant stream of children through it. The ladder climb was in constant use and kept the lifeliners and harness fitters very busy all weekend. It may have been the thought of a sweet at the top of the ladder which kept kids coming back for another go!

We also set up the DCA tent and laid on a photo SEE BACK COVER FOR and survey display and had people on hand to PHOTOS OF THE answer questions about caving in general or CLIFFHANGER EVENT where to try it for real.

The new site seemed to work well and, though numbers were probably down on the previous time at Millhouses, it was still very busy with the ladder in continuous use and the cave running almost nonstop. The youngest client was 2 years old and the oldest probably in their seventies. Luckily the weather was kind to us and made being on site an enjoyable experience.

9

COALPITHOLE SHAFT 10

On 16th October 2012, with the kind permission coloured with streaks of black, brown, white and of the landowner, members of Burnley Caving orange, gradually tapering in diameter to what Club descended Coalpithole Shaft No 10 on looked like infinity. From the surface to 50 feet, it . This shaft was sunk in 1870 by the is walled with large dressed blocks of limestone, Mining Company and passed through below this the ginging is of red brick. We did not about 440 feet of shale to limestone. Originally notice the small passage, 2 feet high by 1 foot 610 feet deep, it reached the Coalpithole Old wide, at a depth of 20 feet which is said to lead vein, the founder meer of which was freed in off SW. A few large orange “snottites”, probably 1760 when the partners of Coalpithole gave one colloidal haematite, hung down the shaft. Bits fell dish of lead ore. This major lead rake, 3 miles off, landing with a frightening “boom” in the west of Castleton, trends for about 1 mile SE-NW water below. A few narrow jets of water entered commencing at Mine Cottage, Peak Forest, over the shaft about 30 feet above the water surface the shoulder of Gautries Hill, crossing the B6061 but the ginging was in good condition overall. Sparrowpit to Castleton road and the limestone- Unfortunately, the shaft was blocked and flooded shale boundary to the shales of Rushup Edge. The with water at 230 feet and there was an oily rake is intersected by No 1 Shaft, Rake shaft 320 smell. It would be interesting to use a “sniffer” to feet deep, Veer Shaft 230 feet deep, Hilltop Shaft monitor radon levels and a MSA Altair 4X to 100 feet deep, No. 3/8 shaft (100 yards north of measure carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, B6061), 207 feet deep to water and No 10 Shaft hydrogen sulphide and combustible gases, eg (NGR 092 812). From 1865-1878 Coalpithole methane. Has anyone been down Hilltop, Rake or Mine was one of the richest lead mines in Veer shafts recently? Derbyshire, comparable to Mill Close Mine, Darley Bridge. It was one of the first mines to have a horizontal steam winding and pumping References: engine, originally made by Bray and Co, Leeds, in 1853 for Brightside Mine, Hassop. The mine was Crabtree, P W 1967 The Peak Forest Mines Part drained by the underground watercourse of 1: The Development of Coalpithole Mine. Journal Perryfoot swallet. Dye inserted at No 3/8 shaft British Speleological Association Vol 6 No 42 pp took 2 days to reach Rake Shaft and 5-6 days to 43-61 get to Speedwell main rising, emerging at Russet Well, 1∙75 miles away, after 7 days . Elliot, D 1975 Caves of Northern Derbyshire Pt 3

Ford, T D 1966 Cave Science Vol 5 No 39 p 379

Heathcote, C 2007 The History of Coalpithole Vein in Peak Forest and Chapel-en-le-Frith Liberties, Derbyshire, 1705-1880. Mining History Vol 16 No 5 pp 36-72

Salmon, L B and Boldock, G 1949 Perryfoot Caves. Cave Science Vol 2 No 9 pp 15-20

Salmon, L B 1963 Cave Science Vol 5 No 33 pp 36-52

Bob Riley, Earby PC, about to descend the shaft Williams, D 2003 An attempt in 1935-37 to

Rework Coalpithole Mine, Peak Forest, With trepidation we removed the trapdoor in the Derbyshire. Mining History Vol 15 No.3 pp 22-25 large 12 foot by 9 foot metal grill capping and rigged a 120m rope plus 8m ladder for ease of access. The shaft looked huge, beautifully Fay Hartley

10

WHY LIDS AND GATES? A Look at the Emergence of the Derbyshire Key

Was there ever a time when no Derbyshire cave permanent filter grille in order to remain had a gate on it? And no mineshaft a lid? The first accessible from one year to the next. caves in the region to acquire gates, as far as we know, were the ones turned into commercial ventures for the public to tour with the help of a guide. No other region has more of these commercial sites than the Peak District. In the past their number was greater than it is now. When you consider the ones that have ceased to operate as show places – sites such as Bagshawe and Devonshire Caverns, along with the Royal Cumberland and Victoria Caverns, even the Holme Bank Chert Mine – you may wonder why so many remain gated today, when they no longer represent a profitable business concern for someone.

The answer of course is that they are all former mining sites, and nearly all of them intersected natural cavities and passages. For several decades our abandoned mines were treated as a scourge, a man-made hazard to be obliterated or at least sealed off with caps or gates. Securing old mine Gate on Mandale Mine incline entrance entrances against casual entry by the unwary became local authority policy in the 1970s and Some of our caves, in common with many 80s; an Abandoned Mines Working Party was set throughout the country, have been dug into from up by the County Council and concrete sleepers the surface. The fact that the entrances may be and rafts, along with so-called Clwyd caps, were man-made excavations does not in itself mean stockpiled for use in the campaign. DCA was they automatically have to be gated; only where represented on the Working Party and it’s they lie beside a highway or close to a public probably true to say that, without the help of footpath or in the middle of a farmer’s field do cavers in identifying those mines that intersected safety and liability considerations dictate it. the natural stuff, some of our caving sites would Democratic Dig and Whale (or Wheal) Sough have been lost. This was when the first nuts and shaft in Deep Dale were both gated at the bolts appeared as a method of securing lids and request of the County Council. The local police gates rather than padlocks. Knotlow and Mandale requested the gating of Herne Hill Cave at Maltby Mines were prime examples, as were the because its location in a supermarket car park Jugholes adit and Tearsall Pipe shafts. was attracting the attention of youngsters as a den for doing whatever it is youngsters get up to So, I dare say I hear you ask, why are there gates in dens these days. None of these sites requires on entrances that have no history of mining? the collection of a key. Take the obvious cases first. Some of our caves flood inwards, like those in the bed of the River A lot of gating, as we are all too aware, is done at Manifold. Without suitable barriers they would the request of the landowner or occupier, mostly soon be lost under rapid accumulations of silt and again for obvious reasons. The Peak District debris. Redhurst Swallet is a good example of an attracts its share of tourists, especially to the entrance that absolutely must have its dales; in addition, much of the limestone upland

11 is extensively walked and at the same time is I’ve no doubt the argument goes that by insisting intensively grazed. A hole in the ground can make on visitors applying for a key those responsible owners and occupiers understandably nervous for any damage can more easily be traced. Where about their liability towards visitors. The Chatsworth (as at the Garden Path and Rookery increased pressure on them from conservation Mine, for example) insist on a lock and key, it is interests has more or less brought an end to the ostensibly the same argument: to ensure access threat to obliterate caving sites completely – it’s is restricted to safe numbers of visitors who will become more a case of “gate it or lose access to not damage the underground environment (and it” these days. In one or two instances, too who, presumably, can demonstrate their sensitive to name here, cavers have gated it and credentials by applying beforehand on headed gone on to lose access for their trouble. As cavers notepaper and producing proof of appropriate we still depend on the goodwill of those who insurance cover). manage the land. In the vast majority of cases cavers have relied on the trusty Derbyshire key to Inevitably in these situations you end up with make gating a more acceptable practice to all cavers vetting other cavers, and in Chatsworth’s concerned; not many sites gated over the past case doing it on the landowner’s behalf. The decade or so involve a keyholder or a booking same rationale lies behind the logbook at Lathkill system. In this respect the situation in the Peak Upper entrance and the one installed more compares favourably with other regions. recently at Eldon Hill Quarry, except at these sites cavers are trusted not to put access at risk for The most controversial gating of all – in every everyone by refusing to fill the book in. The region, you have to admit, not just ours – is reason for both books has been questioned, and gating on grounds of conservation. Gating to in case you’re curious to know why you need only keep other cavers out, as some perceive it – well, a Derbyshire key to get into the Upper entrance, the ones who don’t know how to behave it’s because its recreational interest was rated (by responsibly, which generally means “not us”. Or me at the time, I confess) as outweighing its gating simply to control the volume of visitor conservation value. What that says about the traffic. Our most recent example in the Peak was state of my priorities I leave for others to judge. the extension to Water Icicle Close. Whether you The logbook was agreed in place of a padlock, as agree with the rationale or not, the plain fact is a monitoring device. that cavers don’t trust one another, even within their own region – they never have. And So far the protection of bats and badgers does archaeologists (including the industrial kind) not appear to have led to an increase in gating don’t trust cavers. Why else is there a lock on across the region, though I suspect some Darfar Ridge and Foxhole caves? There used to be members of local Wildlife Trusts and Bat Groups one on St Bertram’s, too. And does anyone have had mixed views over the years on the need remember Ecton Mines without stout locks and to be stricter with cavers over access. The reinforced doors? readiness of badgers in particular to move into sites designed originally for the slimmer caver While we’re on the subject, why is a key required suggests to me it would be prudent for slim and not a spanner to enter the terminal chamber cavers to actually anticipate this form of of Blackwell Dale Cave? squatting by fitting discreet gates of their own to keep badgers out – at Waterfall Hole, for instance, and Critchlow Cave (sorry, too late for this one, I’m afraid, we must wait for the next flood!). Any new gates to be opened strictly by means of a Derbyshire key, naturally.

The suggested inclusion of caving in “open-air recreation”, if it were to come about as a re- interpretation or clarification of the CRoW 2000 Act, would not, as I see it, mean gates at caving sites on Open Access land would all have to go. I think some would remain in place, especially on Gate on Blackwell Dale Cave terminal chamber mine entrances and as a way of protecting

12 particularly vulnerable caves (or sections of them) from damage to their scientific interest at WANTED – MEMORIES OF the hands especially of non-cavers. However, in keeping with any move to open up access, all WHITE HALL CENTRE gates would probably have to lose their padlocks and be replaced by what else but a Derbyshire Are you forty-something or older? Can you key or similar arrangement. I envisage a situation remember watching the White Hall film … the not dissimilar from that prevailing at the moment one that showed Joe Brown kayaking on the River in the Derbyshire Dales NNR, where no prior Derwent? And that showed a school group permission is required and the gates (as at climbing on a wild autumn day at ? If Beresford Level and Mandale and Neptune both your answers are yes, you probably saw the Mines) stay as they are. A legislative change film one evening during a schools’ course at would almost certainly mean a re-negotiation of White Hall Centre in the late 1960s or the 1970s. access terms with some owners, if only to ensure Whether you remember this film or not, have you compliance. And you can lay bets on cavers any other memories of attending a course at continuing to fall out among themselves over which caves would need protecting from other White Hall? Could you contribute reminiscences cavers! or photographs to a collection that will eventually be catalogued and open to the public? White Hall Centre is collecting written memories to be built into a record, probably arranged chronologically. We seek input of any length, either on paper or digital, relating to any time between 1950 and the present. We expect this record to be open for additions indefinitely, as long as there are still memories waiting to be collected. White Hall is also collecting photographs taken on its courses. Initial research has dug up surprisingly few photographs from the 1950s and 60s. Where are they?

It is likely that our collection of reminiscences will be deposited at Derbyshire county council’s record office, subject to that office’s collection policies. Similarly, digital photographs donated to the centre will also be deposited at the record office. Depending on contributors’ instructions, photographs on paper will either be scanned and returned to the contributor or – if donated Recently fitted lid on Boulder Pot c/w bat flap permanently – will be deposited at the record office. So there you have it. We tolerate more gates across our region than some cavers would like to Please send your photos or recollections, on see, but in comparison with some other parts of paper or digital, to the White Hall office: the country we have fewer padlocks and keyholders to contend with, and hardly any Post: Archive Material permit systems. Should we count our blessings? White Hall Centre Long Hill Buxton Derbyshire, SK17 6SX Email: [email protected] Pete Mellors

(Photographs courtesy of C J Wright) Pete McDonald

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REYNARD’S KITCHEN

Reynard’s Kitchen is a cave situated high up on and selling staple foods and supplies. Was an the steep-sided limestone gorge cut by the River individual simply hiding his ‘best stuff’ for safe Dove. When climbing up to the entrance you keeping? Or perhaps speculating in the hope that pass through Reynard’s Arch, a magnificent the value would increase in the future, like a natural feature. Following the discovery of four modern-day ISA?” coins by a local climber who was sheltering in the cave during heavy rain (and who happened to An excavation of part of the cave was carried out have a small pin-pointer metal detector in his in 1959 by the City of Stoke Archaeological climbing bag) an archaeological excavation has Society. This uncovered finds from the Neolithic unearthed a hoard of Late Iron Age and to Medieval times, some of which are on display Republican Roman coins, the first time coins of in the Buxton Museum. This earlier excavation these two origins are thought to have been found only covered a small area of the cave so it seems buried together in a cave in Britain. that that they must have just missed out on discovering the coins. There are also reports from In carrying out the excavation the National Trust 1926 (Wilson, Rev George H; Some Caves and worked with the University of Leicester Crags of Peakland) of a coin hoard in the cave. Archaeology Service and, for the first time, the Defence Archaeology Group’s Operation The cave is said to take its name from a local Nightingale, which provides recuperation through highwayman who is thought to have used it as his field archaeology for service personnel injured in hideout, although evidence for this is elusive. the conflict in Afghanistan and other areas of During the early 20th century, Annie Bennington military operations. (1869-1950), also known as the Grand Old Lady of , sold lemonade, sweets and charms to visitors at the bottom of the slope and would charge a penny for visitors to use the rope she fixed to reach the cave at the top of the steep slope from the river. She was born at Milldale and lived there in Rose Cottage.

Excavation in progress (photo courtesy of Rachael Hall)

A total of twenty-six gold and silver coins were found including three Roman coins pre-dating the invasion of Britain. The Late Iron Age coins are attributed to the Corieltauvi people, a federation Annie Bennington on her stall in Dovedale of tribes who lived in the East Midlands and Lincolnshire. The discovery of the hoard poses The Iron Age and Roman coins found recently the question of why it was buried in Derbyshire, have now been cleaned by conservation some way from the Corieltauvi homeland. specialists at the British Museum and University College London and will go on permanent display As to the purpose of the hoard, National Trust at Buxton Museum later this year. Archaeologist Rachael Hall speculates that “Coins were used more as a symbol of power and status during the Late Iron Age, rather than for buying Mike Higgins

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CLIFFHANGER 2014

A selection of photographs by Boyd Potts and Mike Higgins

A long queue of eager youngsters awaiting their turn An intrepid explorer emerges from the artificial cave on the ladder

A fair sized crowd watch in the sunshine as one The van takes advantage of the trees to keep out of intrepid lad approaches the top the sun

Hurrah – he’s there. Now to claim his prize from the Jenny makes the most of a lull for a well-earned break yellow tackle bag. from DCA tent duty

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