Derbyshire Caving Association

Information Circular 2006/3, April - July 2006

NEXT DCA MEETING

DCA Open Council Meeting, 10am. 4th November 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.

Remember that Council Meetings are open to ALL members.

Next meeting will be the AGM 2007 on 24th February 2007, 10am on Saturday at Monyash Village Hall.

CONSERVATION & ACCESS

If you have any queries or problems about Conservation or Access in the region, please contact the Conservation Officer, Dave Webb, 0115-840-1109, conservation-off @ theDCA.org.uk; or the Access Officer, Iain Barker, 0114-253-0112, 07710-689704, access-off @ theDCA.org.uk.

Hillocks Mine
A low boundary wall has been built that roughly borders the area of the loose roof slabs in the Entrance Chamber. Much as we hate notices, in order to let people know what it's for and to avoid the possibility of anyone climbing over it a temporary notice has been erected (see below). The wall may be modified or extended later if it is found to be necessary.

DANGER - AREA of UNSTABLE ROOF SLABS
FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY
Keep well in front of boundary wall
Temporary Notice 8th June 2006

Dale Mine Access
Dale Mine at Ecton now has a gate on it, courtesy of the Peak Park/Len Kirkham. So, cavers need an adjustable spanner to gain access. (No formal access agreement is in force so all entry is unauthorised.)

Dowse Hole Cleanup
Thanks go to the team of 6 workers under the direction of Projects Officer, Wayne Sheldon, who have cleared out the rubbish from Dowse Hole.

Re-taping
Lathkill Head Upper Entrance and Ashford Marble Mine are shortly to be re-taped to protect sensitive areas.

Winnats Pass
Winnats Pass will be closed for roadworks from 24 July to 4 August.

INSTALLATION OF ECO-ANCHORS

If you have any queries about Eco-anchors installed in the region, please contact the Equipment Officer, Dave Cowley, 0114-255-1285, 07956-560055, equipment @ theDCA.org.uk.

New Installers Trained
Following a Training Course organised by Nigel Atkins and Les Sykes at Bagshawe Cavern, DCA now has 6 trained installers: Nigel Atkins, Dave Cowley, Bob Dearman, Tim Holling, Alan Walker & Dave Williams.

Bolt Testing
Dave Cowley's work on bolt testing continues apace: using the Hydrajaws Tester on permanent loan to DCA from BCA, each bolt is subjected to a 6kn axial pull (i.e. a straight pull at right-angles to the rock face). Since April Dave has tested and inspected a further 37 bolts: Eldon Hole (East & West Routes); Knotlow Mine; Nettle Pot (Entrance and Elizabeth Shafts, Crumble and Beza Pots). The total tested so far is now 190 of the nearly 400 bolts currently in place and all have so far passed the test, even those installed as early as 1992. Work continues to test all the bolts in addition to the inspections all have received in the past.

Suggested New Bolt Installations
Giants Hole - The Filthy Five Pitches: DCA Council has approved, subject to conservation issues being satisfied, the removal of the corroded spits and their replacement with Eco-anchors.

Winnats Head - the climbs up in the streamway: DCA Council has approved, subject to conservation issues being satisfied, the removal of the corroded spits (and rotting fixed lines) and their replacement with Eco-anchors. Note that this may require the installation of a pull-thro' but this will depend on inspection.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WITH DCA

For information on all DCA Training Courses and events, contact DCA Training Officer, Nigel Atkins, 01283-210666, 07831-449909, training @ theDCA.org.uk.

DCA SRT UNDERGROUND TRIP: Sunday July 16th 2006: This day will be of an informal nature with emphasis on personal techniques improvement. The trip will be run by a CIC holder and all of the ropes etc will be provided. I will sponsor these trips with insurance cover and lend any kit that you need. These trips are not an introduction to SRT, however they are perfect for newcomers or old hands wishing to pick up on techniques etc.

SRT TRAINING COURSE: Saturday & Sunday August 5th & 6th 2006: There is a 2 day SRT training course for those who may not be able to get training through their clubs. I have some new Petzl toys to give away (or sell off depending on my mood swings!)

PRE -ASSESSMENT DAY FOR CAVE LEADERS: I did one of these back in January and one of the takers has just got his level 2 award…..nice one! This is an excellent opportunity for DCA members to test themselves out. There is never a formal charge for this day to DCA members, however I will be expecting a donation made payable to DCA's funds.

SRT RIGGING AND SRT RESCUE COURSE: Saturday & Sunday August 5th & 6th 2006: This Course is available only for SRT proficient people and it has limited places so please book early. I will apply for a grant for this so it could be a cheapie for you. First come first served!

LOCAL CAVE/MINE LEADER AWARD SCHEME, CIC SCHEME: Nigel has details of all the coming LCMLA Level 1 and Level 2 training courses and assessments in the Peak District - contact him direct for information. Nigel is also now a trainee trainer and assessor for the CIC Scheme so he can provide information if you are interested.

NEWS FROM BCA

BCA Membership Cards / Membership Secretary
BCA now has a new Membership Secretary who will take up his appointment at the end of August. In the meantime, the problems with the issuing of Individual and Club BCA Membership cards, which also provide proof of insurance have almost all been resolved. Nick Williams, BCA's Insurance Manager has made strenuous efforts to sort out the database and get the cards issued prior to the new Membership Secretary taking over. Most of the cards have now been issued - certainly a number of Derbyshire clubs have received theirs recently. If you do still have any problems over proof of insurance, please contact the DCA Legal & Insurance Officer, Pete Mellors, on 01623-882515 or email legal.insurance @ theDCA.org.uk.

GOODBYE TO TWO FRIENDS

Buster Wright
Buster Wright died in early June after losing his battle with lung cancer. We know that some hearing this will not have known Buster but others will have known him for many years and have fond memories of him. Buster was a Derbyshire caver (and prolific digger) for round about three decades and he was an active DCRO team member until he and Kym moved to North Nottinghamshire in the mid 1990's.

Ed Driscoll
Ed, the proprietor of the Smithy Teashop in Monyash, collapsed and died in late May. He was well known to cavers and all other outdoor types as a friendly face at the Teashop. He was also "on the side" of the caving fraternity, selling DCA Newsletters, hosting a DCRO collecting box and making sure our side of things was put to the Parish Council. His family have now taken on the running of the Teashop.

FOR YOUR NEWSLETTER / NOTICEBOARD

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

9th July 2006