The Derbyshire Caver No

The DERBYSHIRE CAVER No 134 Spring 2014 The late Ralph Johnson and assistants about to give Speedwell Cavern an enema IN THIS ISSUE – • John Cordingley on two little known sumps in Peak Cavern • Alan Brentnall on happy memories of Ralph Johnson • Adventure in Poole’s Cavern in 1794 • Clare Harley gives a different perspective on a DCRO call out and much more . The newsletter of the DERBYSHIRE CAVING ASSOCIATION £1.50 THE DERBYSHIRE CAVER No 134 Spring 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: [email protected] The website of the Derbyshire Caving Association is at: www.theDCA.org.uk CONTENTS: Editorial . 3 Vale - Peter Higgins . 3 Farewell Ralph . 4 DCRO Call Outs . 5 Peak District News . 6 Entrance Improvements in Hamps and Manifold . 7 Peak Cavern’s Surprise View Sump Enigma . 8 Stabilisation of Whalf Climbing Shaft . 9 An appeal from Pete Knight, DCA Projects Officer. 10 A Visit to Poole’s Cavern in 1794 . 11 DCRO Gautries Rescue - A Wife’s Tale! . 13 DCA Training Events 2014 . 15 DCA Officers for 2014-2015 . 16 Cover photograph courtesy of Christine Wilson 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 to the Secretary (see last page). The Derbyshire Caver (the newsletter of the DCA) has been in uninterrupted publication for over forty 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, etc. should be posted or emailed to him at the above address, or give him a ring. The Derbyshire Caver is posted free to DCA members; non-members may subscribe by sending a cheque for £7 (payable to DCA) for four issues, to the Secretary or Treasurer (see last page). Some back issues are also available for sale. Half-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 VALE - PETER HIGGINS As the new editor of “The Derbyshire Caver” I Peter, known as Fuzz, one of the first members of thought that perhaps a few words of introduction the Limestone Caving Club, passed away may be appropriate. suddenly on 17th August 2013 in Northern General Hospital, Sheffield. My name is Mike Higgins and I live in Doncaster, an easy car journey away from the Peak District He was a founder member in the mid sixties of and one which I make regularly. I am a native of the LCC, based in Sheffield, and was an active Birmingham and was christened in St Martins in caver up to 2000. He remained active through his the Bull Ring - you don’t get more native love of walking in the Peak District and the Dales. Brummie than that! I started caving 35 years ago Peter was well-known as one of the original with a trip into Holme Bank Chert Mine at explorers along with Tony Devoto and Reg Banks Bakewell in 1979, had several years caving in the of the Dynamite Series in Carlswark Cavern, that Dales with the YSS in the mid 80s to 90s when I series of tight crawls and small chambers quite lived in East Yorkshire, and now do most of my unlike the rest of the cave. In the late 1980s he caving in Derbyshire. I have a leaning towards mastered the techniques of SRT and, along with mines so the odd mining related article may find Roy Rodgers, was instrumental in rejuvenating its way into this publication. I am a member of the LCC by passing his skills on to a new and Masson Caving Group and Peak District Mines active membership. He never lost his interest in Historical Society. caving and in 2011 could be found taking a look at the entrance to Titan. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul Lydon, the outgoing editor, for doing an excellent job over the last 11 years and I hope that I shall be able to keep up the high standard that he has set. Many thanks also to all the individuals who have contributed material to this issue. Please give your continued support to “The Derbyshire Caver” by sending in any material relevant to caving in the Peak District - articles, photographs, surveys or letters. Don’t forget to regularly part with £1.50 of your hard-earned cash by buying a copy too. DCA Chairman At the DCA AGM, Bob Dearman stood down as Chairman after 23 years in the post. As it proved not possible to elect a new Chairman at the meeting, the DCA is looking to co-opt someone into this important position as soon as possible. Peter at the site of an old LCC dig on Bradwell Moor DCA Members are asked to contact Jenny Potts, DCA Secretary, with any suggested nominations. His ashes rest in a spot overlooking the Hope Valley and later this year he will be commemorated by the improvement and Mike Higgins reopening of a footpath near Monsal Head funded by Peter’s family. Mike Higgins with thanks to Gordon Fiander 3 FAREWELL RALPH I first met Ralph Johnson when I joined DCRO youngsters to find out about caving for the first back in the late nineties, and my immediate time. impressions of this diminutive, old man with the odd stance, and a gleam in his eye, who calmly As time went by, he persuaded other cavers who told me to go into Peak Cavern and ascend had retired, or otherwise had time on their Victoria Aven – “Up the rope at the end of the hands, to join him in his group of “Coffin Five Arches, just before the big, wet duck” were Dodgers”, repairing stiles, capping shafts, not that this was a hard caver, with years of mending fences and doing many of the odd jobs experience; at that moment in time I certainly that always need to be done underground. didn’t know what a long-lasting friendship I was to have with him over the next fifteen or so Although he had helped DCRO in 1959, it wasn’t years, nor did I realise just what an effect he had, until later in the mid-1960s that he became a and continued to have, on caving within the Peak regular member, and, since then, he has always District. taken on whatever responsibilities were thrown at him: Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman, Ralph began caving (and many of his other Controller, were all positions he readily filled, and outdoor activities) in the 1950s, and probably he was always willing to give up his time when first came into contact with DCRO when he work needed to be done. Whether it was kit played a significant role in the long but maintenance after a shout, tin rattling to raise unsuccessful rescue attempt for Neil Moss in funds or simply cleaning the base, you could Peak Cavern in 1959, along with Brian Griffiths count on Ralph taking his part. and Bob Toogood - two other septuagenarians who are still active. When he finally got the word that he only had a few months left to live, Ralph told everybody Not only a caver, Ralph was a keen climber and what the score was, and that he would not brook mountaineer, masterminding many trips into any compassion or sympathy, and then Wales, the Alps and much, much further afield. proceeded to defy all his medical advisors by Ralph’s trips abroad were always meticulously setting about almost a year’s worth of caving, planned, and yet they always seemed like an climbing and travelling, completing many projects adventure. The aftermath usually came in the and films … and, you know, we who helped him form of an “IntroAct” Film, for Ralph was also a could hardly keep up! keen cinematographer, and candidly captured every indecent moment of the trip … for Typically, everything in that last year was everybody else’s entertainment! organised down to the very last detail. Even the funeral was sorted out; no flashy hearse - just a As a founding member of Crewe CPC, Ralph plain, black delivery van containing a wicker inspired many people not only to cave, but also coffin (he wanted cardboard, but it poses a risk at to encourage others to go caving, and to put crematoria by pre-igniting, apparently). While the something back into the sport. As an early trappings may have been modest, the funeral member of DCA’s bolting team, he started the was thronged by so many friends that there was Peak District Rigging Guide, which is still hardly room to move in the huge room where the developing as new caves continue to be humanist ceremony took place. discovered, and new pitches are rigged. So long Ralph, and thanks for everything - you’ll He trained and mentored many cavers, be remembered by many, and even those who personally and through his DVDs and videos.

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