2013/02 APR

Westminster Spelæological Group Cave Exploration and Investigation President: Toby Clark esq. Newsletter No. 2013/2

Photo: Nick B; Event Horizon, Titan, Derbyshire, October 2012

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April 2013 Edition

Welcome to the April 2013 Newsletter. Here is the news.

A Reminder SRT / Ladder Training Training in essential rope and ladder skills is proving hugely popular. We meet at the So- bel leisure centre, just near Finsbury park, on the second Tuesday of each month at 19.00; if you fancy coming it'd be best to send an email out to check what's going on. All abilities welcome - especially the newcomers.

Congratulations! Congratulations to Robyn and Ben in Tasmania as they welcome baby Henry Lewis Lovett into the family. Henry was born on 19th April and both mother and baby are do- ing fine.

Enjoy the Newsletter.

Headquarters The Club meets on first and Caerllwyn Cottage third Tuesday of the month at: Halt Road Ship & Shovell bar Rhigos Craven Passage WC2 (Off Villiers Street under CF44 9UW Charing Cross station) 01685 811080 www.wsg.org.uk Normally from 7 pm onwards.

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63rd

Saturday 1st June

@ the New Inn Rhigos

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Work in the 18th Hole Stefan Kysela

A new excavation was begun on 16th February (WSG Newsletter January 2013). From that day we have worked in this excavation for 4 days (9-10 March, 13-14 April). Toby has expected that once this has been dug out a void beyond will be exposed at around 2 me- ters depth. We have dug around 320 cm so far and there is still no void and no water. Only the occurrence of big stones and smaller gaps between gravel stones, which is evi- dence of water flowing in the past. Surprisingly, because of the dry spring, there was no water in the stream until 4 pm, 13 April 2013, when it rained. The water was losing about 20 meters above the excavation site.

No water in the stream (12 Apr 2013)

A proper scaffold was built. We were using timber, plastic grid and iron grid to stabilise the walls. This is very important because if there is no stabilisation, a landslide can occur easily, our work becomes useless and might be life-threatening. However there begins to be a lack of spare scaffolds and joints for use. At the bottom of the excavation there are

PAGE 4 2013/02 APR big stones, so some special instruments like a sharped-pointed iron rod, hammer, ladle, trowel, drill and smart head will help.

When it rains, water returns to the stream bed. However, in the excavation site, 320 cm below the metal roof, there is no water yet (14 Apr 2013)

Thank you very much to everybody who has helped with digging, carrying buckets (Wendy, Stefan, Anna, Bart), building scaffolding, or giving lifts. I am really determined to work in the 18th Hole several times more, until I return to Slovakia in August. I would truly appreciated the help of people at work on 18th Hole (digging, carrying buckets, scaffold preparation, transportation). Anyone interested?

Your thoughts here...

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The muddy excavation with big stones in depth 320 cm below the level of the stream (14 Apr 2013)

Breaking News from 18th Hole (4 – 6 May 2013)

1. Next 29 hours of work on the side in three days. 2. Breaking heavy stones by hammer. 3. Building the scaffolding in the depth of 320 to 410 cm, in height +70 to +150 cm. 4. Building supporting stones wall on the south side on the surface (Ralph, Nick, Steve) 5. The discovery of a draft at the depth of 460 cm (cold air outwards) on Monday 4pm. 6. After following the draft the discovery of void size of man. 7. The deepest point reached by digging is 470 cm. 8. The deepest point viewed is 560 cm (Stefan, Marc, Laura and Ralph saw it). 9. The deepest point of falling gravel stones is 600 cm. 10. The next digging is planned on 1 and 2 June. Anyone interested?

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The excavation is 450 cm deep (6 May 2013)

The draft and void (6 May 2013 on 4,40pm)

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Working Weekend 13/14 July

The annual working weekend... I can hear you groaning already.

This is scheduled for the weekend of 12-14th July 2013.

There is a lot of work to be done on the cottage this year as the working weekends have been particularly poorly attended in the last 2 years.

• The outside of the cottage is due for cleaning down and in many places, re-painting. This is a mammoth task if there are only a few to help. However, with 10 people working on it, the job will be done in no time. • The tackle shed will need its annual clear out and probably a coat of preservative... • There are new doors and shutters on the cottage that will need a finishing coat... • The outbuilding needs re-pointing and re-painting, including its woodwork... • The kitchen needs its annual deep clean...

There are a few electrical jobs ...and then, there's the garden... I suspect Heather has already put a long list of jobs together.

So, plenty to be done to keep Caerllwyn usable as a caving club headquarters.

We'll probably have a barbie and a party on the Saturday evening and I, personally, don't have a problem with, anyone that wants to, nipping of caving for a short trip once the work is completed.

So, please don't leave it to others – make an effort and come down for the weekend.

Cheers, Graham.

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Alternatives To Caving Graham Adcock

Yes, I know this is a caving club journal but I've got a buggered shoulder and have had to find other things to do than crawl under rocks... You might like to try a few.

Bored with the waterfalls walk? The Monmouthshire and Brecon – runs from Brecon down to Cwmbran via Llangattock. We set off on bikes from Brecon and headed east. The towpath is in great condition and provides easy, generally level going. Pubs in Tal-y-Bont, Llangynidr and at one or two other places. 15 miles to Llangattock then down the hill from Bridge 118 into Crickhowell. The cake shop is well worth a visit – I can personally recommend the Eccles cakes. A visit to Crickhowell Adventure then back down the hill and over the bridge. This time turn right and head back along the road for a short distance until a track on the left leads back to the canal. More ales in Tal-y-Bont and back to Brecon. 30 miles and an easy 2 hours each way.

The Brecon Beacons – a loop from the Upper Neuadd Reservoir. There's a car park just below the reservoir now – well, it was getting daft – such a popular route and nowhere to leave the wagon. Walk up to the reservoir then left, over the bridge and through the gate. Up the steep incline to the ridge and then head north with fantastic views all the way to meet the path coming up from the Storey Arms. On to the top of Corn Du, then Pen-y-Fan. Great views out over Brecon and mid to the north. Down the east side of Pen-y-Fan and up onto Cribin before dropping down into the saddle and, (for the short walk, back down the track to the car park) up onto Fan-y-Big (no sniggering at the back) then along Craig Cwareli, Bwlch y Ddwyallt and south along Graig fan Las and down Craig Fan Ddu and follow the forest trail (an old tramway) back to the car. A four or five and a half hour walk.

A Shorter walk session can be found down the hill toward Glyn . Park at Pont Walby and head up into Cwm Gwrelych for a 1.5 to 2 hour post guided walk in an area of old small coal mines.

Walk up the Waterfalls from the Angel in Pontneddfechan – an hour or so each way gets you up to Porth Yr Ogof. Finally, the Neath and Tennant canal – Right on our doorstep – follow the road past the Lamb and Flag in Glyn Neath and turn right where the B4242 continues for about ¼ mile to a car park. From here, The route dives down and under a bridge and turns into a canal! This is followed for a couple of miles to a dewatered section then again for a further 8 miles or so to where the canal splits. It can be followed further but that's for another day!

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For the bikers, this might be of interest http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=Oz11Hh1Y5X4&feature=endscreen

...and you might have seen this pub also... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21474099

!""#$#%&'(#)&%#ʹ*+,%#(-#&.#+&/"0#1-/.'.2#3&4'.2#,/'5#,-1-//-)6 All I said was: Let’s do an early morning caving trip Tomorrow?

Submitter: Andy Ive; Mallora, Summer 2009

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Late Running Calendar

Jun 1, Wales And finally, a word from Chris F, “Bored of caving why AGM at the New Inn not try unicycle caving instead?” http://vimeo.com/66668134 Jun 11, London Expect to see this as an entry in next year’s Best of the SRT Practice, Sobell Leisure Centre Kendal Mountain Film Festival. Jun 29, Yorkshire 10 bunks @ Brackenbottom

Many thanks to all those who have contributed to this July 13, Wales issue. The next will be published in July or August, and Working Weekend Caerllwym be slightly more timely. Please ensure that you contrib- July 20, Yorkshire ute! So many interesting, talented people with so little 10 bunks @ Brackenbottom written output.

Send anything that you would like included to me at the usual address.

See you underground. Contributors Graham Adcock Steve Andy Ive Stefan Kysela

... The Cast of the WSG ...

El Presidente Toby Clark Chair Rupert Bateson Hon. Secretary Steven Lloyd Hon. Treasurer Pete Jurd New Members Secretary Andy Sewell Membership Secretary Ralph Leech Cottage Secretary Heather Crawford Caving Secretary, Rescue and Tackle Warden Amy Pitch Committee Those in bold oblique above Librarian Matthew Setchfield Trustees Colette Johnson, Tim Barter, Gary ʻFumpaʼ Cockburn, Graham Adcock, Rik Saldana SECRO Warden Toby Clark

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