Information Circular 2000/1 - January 2000
NEXT DCA MEETING
Annual General Meeting: 19 February 2000
The Hall will be open from about 9.30am. with tea, coffee & biscuits on tap. The Old Smithy Cafe, next to the Pub, does an excellent breakfast from 9am. All meetings arranged start at 10am. at Monyash Village Hall.
Applications for membership from Clubs, Associate or Individual Members - don't forget these should reach the Hon. Secretary by 10th. February if they are to be considered at this meeting.
The DCA Annual Report will be posted out to members before the AGM, hopefully by early February.
Nominations for Officers for 2000/2001: Club and Individual members are invited to put forward nominations for officers to stand for election at the AGM. A nomination form is enclosed - don't forget to ensure that anyone proposed has agreed to stand - and it would be helpful if completed forms are returned to the Secretary by 10 February.
CAVERS FAIR 2000 - 8/9 July
This is now definitely booked for Pindale Farm Outdoor Centre on 8/9 July - note the change of date from that proposed originally. Now it's confirmed we hope to get booking forms out by March. There will be a DCA Stomp as we'll be celebrating DCA's 40th. Anniversary. Ideas for other events, workshop sessions, etc. you'd like to see at the Cavers Fair are welcome. Offers of help with organising events, work teams, clear-up teams, etc. would be very welcome. Contact Jenny Potts initially as we now have a Cavers Fair Sub-Committee going with the Training Officer and other cavers involved.
DCA SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2000
Many thanks to all those who have already paid up for this year - it's a great help to get the money in at the beginning of the year so that we know we can go ahead with various projects. Thanks also to those who have already completed and returned the Standing Order Mandate forms. The more members who are able to do this, the less hassle and expense for you and for us as we know in advance we don't have to send reminders and you don't have to worry about finding stamps, envelopes, etc.
DERBYSHIRE CONSERVATION & ACCESS NEWS
If you have any information to pass on or have any queries, please contact the Conservation & Access Officer direct: Tony Gibbs e-mail t.gibbs @ bigfoot.com
EQUIPMENT & PROJECTS NEWS
If you come across a DMM Eco-hanger which you think may be loose, (or any other suspect anchor, fixed aid, etc.) please e-mail the DCA Equipment Officer, Mark Lowe MLowecave @ aol.com or inform Jenny: Tel. 01335-370629 or E-mail. jenny.potts @ ukonline.co.uk
Eldon Hole Fence The next major project on Eldon Hole is to re-fence the top of the shaft to an acceptable standard to avoid danger to stock, passing walkers, etc. This is likely to be a fairly major undertaking but we have an offer of grant aid from the Peak Park to help with the costs. The new belay stakes were put in last summer by Crewe and all the Eco anchors were checked as part of the ongoing work on the site.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICER
Derbyshire Caver, No. 104, Spring 2000 is out now. Copy date for the next issue is end of April 2000. Material can be written, phoned, e-mailed or on disk ('Word' format if possible). Items should go direct to: Iain Barker, 56 Thornbridge Crescent, Birley, Sheffield. S12 3AE E-mail. iainbarker @ peakland.freeserve.co.uk
"Classic Caves of the Peak District" Iain notes that his book, "Classic Caves of the Peak District", has been remaindered so, if you still don't have a copy, search the bookshops and you may be lucky. Some of the Royalties from this will come to DCA so, if you have a chance, search out a copy.
The DCA Handbook - "DERBYSHIRE CAVING" Don't forget that this can be bought direct from Iain Barker if you send him a cheque for £4.00 payable to DCA (£3.50 + 50p postage). It can also be bought over the counter from Hitch 'n' Hike in Bamford, Peveril Outdoor & Travel in Castleton and the Old Smith Teashop in Monyash. We're looking for other shop outlets for it to make it more widely available so, if you've any ideas, contact Iain.
FOR YOUR NEWSLETTER / NOTICEBOARD
14 January 2000
Hon. Sec./Treas., Jenny Potts, 3 Greenway, Hulland Ward, Ashbourne, Derbys. DE6 3FE. Tel. 01335-370629