Repairs to Carlswark Flower Pot Entrance.

[MarkC]

Sam,

If I were you, I'd excavate first, then see how the new pipe fits, no need to cut into sections if you dont need to.

I was under the impression that the pipe is in sections.  What length is it?

Kind though the offer is, Im not sure what funding is needed really .

I was thinking about bags of cement, something suitable to climb up and an appropriate lid.  If you're happy to provide materials needed and are satisfied they would last well then that's great - the Dale budget could be used elsewhere.

Any thoughts on timescale?  I was thinking a weekend with a party of 4 would do it...  

Mark

 

[nickwilliams]

Is length of pipe heavy?

a few of us have roof racks on our cars if they'll hack the weight of the pipe!?

I understand it weighs 100+Kg per length - it takes two people to lift a 2m length. I would not risk this on a roof rack - apart from anything else there is the danger of damage to the car getting it on and  off. If you've got a tow hitch, you can borrow my trailer, or failing that if I can't be around to move it myself, I may be able to lend you a Landrover and trailer.

Nick.

 

[SamT]

No hurry nick, cheers.

Offer of a trailer sounds good. I've not got a tow bar, but maybe others have.

Sounds like we need 2, possibly 3 sections.

due to the weight. Im guessing they'll need to be lowered into place using some sort of rigging.

My suggestion would be to dig out the old barrels first, work out how to sort the 4th barrel. (with perhaps a short section of pipe, just a couple of feet long.

Then lower the main replacement section in.

We'll need a petrol chainsaw to cut the stuff. I can probably get loan of one.

I suspect it;ll be a 2 day job.

Would be worth dobbing some concrete in at some strategic positions, especially if there is more than one section. Need to make sure they cant move, relative to each other. A bit of concrete round the join should do it.

We'll wait for all the red tape to be dealt with, then decide on a date.

 

[martinb]

Is length of pipe heavy?

a few of us have roof racks on our cars if they'll hack the weight of the pipe!?

I understand it weighs 100+Kg per length - it takes two people to lift a 2m length. I would not risk this on a roof rack - apart from anything else there is the danger of damage to the car getting it on and  off. If you've got a tow hitch, you can borrow my trailer, or failing that if I can't be around to move it myself, I may be able to lend you a Landrover and trailer.

Nick.

I could probably fit 2 lengths in the back of my Zafira - however it seems pointless bringing it all the way from Gt Hucklow to Clay Cross and then to cart it back again.

Probably better to leave it at Gt Hucklow 'till the working day is arranged - assuming that's Ok with you Nick? Or if not, would Eldon consider storing them at the Coe 'till required?

Is it possible to borrow a generator and mixer? It may also help with a bunch of lights as well now the nights are drawing in.

Martin

 

[nickwilliams]

I could probably fit 2 lengths in the back of my Zafira - however it seems pointless bringing it all the way from Gt Hucklow to Clay Cross and then to cart it back again.

Quite!

Probably better to leave it at Gt Hucklow 'till the working day is arranged - assuming that's Ok with you Nick?

No bother

Or if not, would Eldon consider storing them at the Coe 'till required?

Not necessary - Great Hucklow is significantly closer to where you want to use them, and I know Sam doesn't want the coe at Bagshaw too cluttered up with junk.

Is it possible to borrow a generator and mixer? It may also help with a bunch of lights as well now the nights are drawing in.

Shouldn't be a problem, although the mixer is not actually mine and has gone back to its rightful owner for a while, so if you've got access to another one that might be useful. Lights and generator, no problem, although I've still not replaced the gas bottle from when it was last used at Bagshawe so you'll need to get another propane cylinder to run it.

Nick

 

[SamT]

Is it possible to borrow a generator and mixer? It may also help with a bunch of lights as well now the nights are drawing in.
Martin

Not really needed. Best done over a weekend.

Hopefully we'll not need that much concrete, couple of ready mix bags that can be mixed by hand should be sufficient. Besides. due to the proximity of the road, I recon we need to minimise the clutter.

 

[underground]

Just my thoughts on this but, with regard to providing 'something to climb up' - we have experienced some issues in the Peak relating to fixed aids in the past, resulting in their removal, and what with Flowerpot being open access and proximal to the road, I don't think it should be even considered - even leaving a knotted handline in place is too much IMO. Cavers are a resourceful bunch, and should be more than capable of bringing the appropriate tackle to climb down 3 / 4 barrels and get back out and vice versa, even without fixed anchors / p-bolts.

And a final thought - this is just an entrance / egress in Carlswark, let's keep it in perspective folks...

 

[AndyF]

I am loosing the will to live.....

 

[Cave_Troll]

gimme a shout if you're short of a helper

 

[SamT]

I am loosing the will to live.....

  indeed.

 

[underground]

: It appears I was misunderstood... all I'm saying is, some bits of pipe need digging out, presumably with a shovel and a spike and some elbown grease, some new bits of pipe need putting back in, which AndyF tells me is a two day job, so could be accomplished without the need of lights, genny, kitchen sink, big banner at the side of the road etc. - without having to get too excited about or hung up on anything else, such as bolts, slots in the pipe as hand / footholds etc. - things that could cause unwelcome attention from those in a position to put the mockers on it.

I'm not saying don't do it because I think it's bad, but because someone probably will and it ain't worth the hassle because ultimately, if we as cavers need to get up and down the hole, we will, without the need of owt that we can't cobble together at the last minute to do the job....

 

[Cave_Troll]

we could have some nice decking around the hole as well,
maybe a nice little "wishing well" over the hole.

 

[SamT]

 

[MarkC]

A p-hanger at the top might be useful... tree roots are not really a long-term solution.

 

[Jams]

A p-hanger at the top might be useful... tree roots are not really a long-term solution.

worry about that when it happens tbh

 

[JonP]

Update on Flower pot.

Jams & Myself were up in stoney yesterday 29/09/2008 trying to complete a few through trips that didn't happen but anyhow thought we'd try and get an exact NGR on flower pot with Jams new bluetooth gadget. Took the lid off to see the 3rd barrel has completely fallen in now bringing down alot of packing! Took a few snap shots that I'm sure Jams will post up soon.

Oh and never got the grid reference due to...dare I say 'cheap goods?!'

 

[JB]

Subject to Natural England consent

SSSI Cave Conservation Meeting scheduled for yesterday evening was cancelled due to illness(es) and now re-scheduled for Tues 14th October.

Jules.

 

[Jams]

Me and JonP went up tonight to finally get a grid ref. The lid was off to the side, along with all the rocks that were stacked up on top.

Anyone recently tried to get down? Cant understand why the lid was left off though.

Anyway the ref according to gps is:
SK 21919 76115

although on the map its the wrong side of the road, did say it was accurate to 4.5m

ill get a better ref when i get round to it

 

[MarkC]

Subject to Natural England consent

SSSI Cave Conservation Meeting scheduled for yesterday evening was cancelled due to illness(es) and now re-scheduled for Tues 14th October.

I'm afraid to say that due to ongoing illness this meeting has also been canceled.  Nevertheless the DCA will continue negotiations with Natural England with regard to the proposed repairs to Flower Pot entrance.  Dave Webb or myself can be contacted for further info...

Mark

 

[Mark]

Me and JonP went up tonight to finally get a grid ref. The lid was off to the side, along with all the rocks that were stacked up on top.

Anyone recently tried to get down? Cant understand why the lid was left off though.

The landowner has been to have a look, since I had a word with him last week. I dont know if it was him that left it uncovered. he,s quite happy to let it be sorted anyway.