Derbyshire Caving Association

Information Circular 2006/1, Nov. 2005 - Jan. 2006

NEXT DCA MEETING

DCA Annual General Meeting, 10am. 25 February 2006 at Monyash Village Hall

The Hall will be open from about 9.30am with tea, coffee and biscuits available. The Old Smithy Cafe, next to the Pub, does an excellent breakfast from about 9am.

A reminder that items for the agenda should reach the Secretary not later than Saturday 14th January.

EQUIPMENT / BOLTING NEWS

Checking Anchors
DCA Equipment Officer, Dave Cowley, and Chairman, Bob Dearman, have been checking eco-anchors using the Hydrajaws Anchor Tester provided by BCA for use in the region. Anchors in Garden Path, Lathkill Head, the older part of Oxlow (New Oxlow hasn't been checked yet) and the first part of Giants have already been checked with the Tester and all anchors were found to be sound - many having been installed over 10 years ago. Don't forget to report any suspect anchors, hangers, etc. to Dave or Bob by phone 01298-85584 or by email on equipment @ theDCA.org.uk.

New-style Hangers in Giants and Oxlow:
Several cavers have advised DCA of missing or rusty maillons on some of the eco-anchors in Giants. One of the new-style hangers, as agreed at the October Council meeting, has now been installed at the point where you drop down into the Crabwalk from the Upper Series and another is being planned for the Upstream Series. The pull-through leading into the New Series of Oxlow, which hasn't worked properly for some time, is due to be replaced with one of the new hangers soon.

Lathkill Head Shaft
In the course of checking the Lathkill Head Shaft a suspect flake was persuaded its place should be at the foot of the pitch rather than threatening from above.

Rope Handlines
Please note that DCA does not install rope handlines at any sites. Even if a handline has been attached to DCA-installed eco-anchors, the handline itself is not DCA's responsibility and we will not be checking it. It would be preferable to take your own ropes for use as handlines where needed and then take them out with you when you leave.

CLEANUP AT OLD TOR MINE

Many thanks to DCA Conservation Officer, Dave Webb, and DCA Project Officer, Wayne Sheldon, who cleared 6 bags of rubbish out of Old Tor Mine in early January. Their difficulties were compounded by having to spend a freezing hour outside before they were able to open the gate, which they finally did with the help of the National Trust.

NEWS FROM BCA

All BCA members should by now have received their copies of SPELEOLOGY and BCA N/L No. 5, sent out in early January. Don't forget that the BCA AGM is on 25th. March at Alvechurch - there is an opportunity for clubs to propose Club Representatives to BCA Council and also for Individual Member Representatives to be proposed so check out the nomination form available in the Newsletter.

The BCA website is now up and running and there is a new BCA Forum you can sign up to if you want to make your views known: just go to the link on the website, www.british-caving.org.uk and follow the instructions - BCA welcomes contributors. Also on the website are the new 2006 application forms for BCA Membership (in the Insurance section) and other information on costs, insurance details, etc.

DCA SECRETARY'S EMAIL PROBLEMS SOLVED

Apologies that the Secretary's email system hasn't been working properly from late October so that we've had to revert to posting DCA papers to all members. The Secretary is now back online at secretary @ theDCA.org.uk or dca @ theDCA.org.uk. Minutes of the October 2005 Council Meeting are on the DCA website and, whilst we'll post this circular to all members for the present, we hope to circulate it by email shortly as well as place the information on the DCA website

PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE

A reminder that DCA is no longer offering its own P.L. Insurance to its members - you will need to insure through BCA from now. Note that no-one who was insured by DCA on 31 December 2005 is currently uninsured - all clubs previously insured through DCA will be covered by the BCA scheme until at least 31 January, by which time we expect DCA members to have formally joined the BCA scheme. Any queries: please contact Pete Mellors on 01623 882515 or legal.insurance @ theDCA.org.uk.

NEWS FROM OTHER REGIONS

New CNCC Permit Secretary for Fountains Fell & Penyghent, including Washfold Pot Malcolm Hughes has taken over as Access Officer for the area and requests for permits should be made to him at 26 Wellcroft, Otley, LS21 1JJ - don't forget to include SAE with your request. Email first to check dates available: malcolm @ hughesls10.fsnet.co.uk. CSCC reports possible loose hanger in Rhino Rift CSCC received a report on 5 Dec. that "one of the P-hangers on the main Y-hang on the 1st. pitch in Rhino is loose". CSCC advises vigilance if using this and will arrange to check. A caver who visited a couple of weeks before the notification has since reported: "the hanger rotates slightly in its hole but is still very secure and doesn't move laterally".

BCA /DCA CAVERS WORKSHOP 2006

Saturday & Sunday, 11th. & 12th. March A reminder that Nigel Atkins, DCA Training Officer, has set up the first Cavers Workshop of the year at Upper Limits Climbing Wall in Longnor. The facilities are good, it's all indoors and there's a classroom available. Programme and booking forms will appear soon. In the meantime, for further information, contact Nigel direct on 01283-210666 or training @ theDCA.org.uk.

FOR YOUR NEWSLETTER / NOTICEBOARD

www.theDCA.org.uk - dca @ theDCA.org.uk

18January 2006