Burt said:
The vast majority of landowners on Mendip are kind enough to let us access the caves on their land. That's what they do for us.
In the vast majority of cases, that's the same up here in the Dales.
I'm sitting here thinking it's time I came clean. Both Badlad and Mark Wright have privately asked me how I intended to vote. At the time I just hadn't had chance to think this one through, so I genuinely couldn't give them an answer. But Burt's post above, together with the impending deadline, has forced me to decide.
I can see the appeal (on first glance) of what's being proposed. But the question in this topic's title led to my mind wandering back to a certain occasion in February this year. It was Dr. John Farrer's funeral service in Clapham. The church was packed and a high proportion of the people in there were members of the caving community who simply wanted the opportunity to pay their respects to a friend and landowner to whom we all have a massive debt of gratitude.
Anyone who doubts how much John Farrer did for our benefit should read his article "Of Squires and Potholes" (CPC Journal 4 (3), 1969). In this he explains how difficult it is being the owner of the Ingleborough Estate and how he put so much time into trying to accommodate everyone's requests. I think this approach is mirrored by many other landowners.
I also found myself pondering on the very few examples where we've failed to be given access in the past. In the vast majority of cases, if asked reasonably, most landowners respond reasonably.
I'm pretty sure that this move to pursue greater legal rights under CRoW is not being welcomed by a number of major landowners. (I live here, I work on a private estate - and I am in contact with a range of people that many cavers perhaps aren't, so I have a pretty good idea how this initiative is being received).
Given that we have been given so much goodwill by landowners here in the Dales, I'm afraid I just couldn't bring myself to vote yes.
And then there is the subject of the special permission which is sometimes needed apart from routine tourist trips. Digging has been mentioned already as a possible casualty in the fall out if the overall vote is yes. But what about when a group of cavers wants to put up a marquee in someone's field to hold a special function. What if you want to film on private land? Or trace streams? Or any one of umpteen other things that cavers occasionally want to do? What will the answer be if relations become soured if we repay their goodwill by legal actions?
My main reason for posting here is because I know that people like Badlad in particular have put a great deal of time and energy into this and I wanted to explain why I decided to vote no, because I didn't want them to feel I'm deliberately trying to undermine their immense amount of work.
I'm a believer in democracy - I've played my part in the democratic process - and if the majority think otherwise then I'll go along with that (reluctantly). I detest politics; I just want to go caving. But my conscience is now clear.
My answer to the question in the topic title above would always be "A huge amount - and thank you".
Please don't fall out with me Badlad and Mark!
