Since this is Idle Chat I assume it's OK to post things totally unrelated to caving. I know there are some knowledgeable people here. The power button on my eReader has disintegrated, but somebody has created a replacement that can be 3D printed and made the files publicly available. It's only...

Concerns that the sinkholes host unique bioforms and tourism may risk losing them. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8697gqwyx6o

There's a photo in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition which I really like (the page may take a couple of seconds to load) https://www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy/gallery/2024-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place How does an animal work out that that's a workable technique!

The results of the BCA Council Elections for 2024 are now posted on the BCA website

Following the AGM, at which candidates stood from the floor for the two remaining vacancies, preparations for the elections are in progress. Details are now on the BCA website: https://british-caving.org.uk/council-elections-2024/

The full Agenda for the BCA Annual General Meeting is now online at https://british-caving.org.uk/bca-agm-2024/ Posted on behalf of Allan Richardson, BCA Secretary

Recently there was long thread about the BCA. I can now post possible answers to some of the questions, such as "Why is the BCA still raising membership prices when there is a significant amount still left in its coffers?" In March, I volunteered to take on the vacant BCA Treasurer role, and...

I've read a few articles about the Crossrail tunnels now being built under London. They all make the bland statement that the tunnelling machines are guided by GPS, with no further explanation. But a GPS needs to see the satellites. I'm wondering whether this is just journalists copying what...

Saturday live on Radio 4 this morning had a piece by Les Hewitt describing his rescue from Sleets Gill. For the next week you can hear it via "listen again" on the BBC web site (it starts at about 32min in to the programme) http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/saturdaylive/saturdaylive.shtml

We used a new rope for the first time yesterday. The second person back up spotted what may be damage or may be manufacturing artifacts / flaws. There are about 6 or so bits like this, at about 5cm intervals along the rope, and roughly in a line, ie, on the same 'side' of the rope. Some of...

Canoeists need support in an on-line petition to the Prime Minister. As participants in a kindred sport ( whitewater rivers are just caves with no roof ! ) please add your name to the petition. The legal right of access to rivers in England and Wales is controlled by the owners of the banks...

See Times online and scroll to the bottom of the page. I hope he's OK.

See Petzl website for details of the problem and which of their lights it is or is not OK to use lithium cells in.