I'm sad to hear of the death of Ernie Shield who preceded me as Chairman of the British Cave Research Association for the years 1994-6 and followed up his (constitutional) three-year term by moving on to Publications Sales Officer. In spite of being new to the Association's key administrative position, Ernie made for a diligent and steady chairman, picking up well from the good work of his ardent predecessor, Keith Plumb. Ernie later took a particular interest in promoting the publications of BCRA and in his final position as sales officer grasped the initiative to acquire for the benefit of BCRA and its members the remaindered copies of the hardback edition of Limestones and caves of Wales (1989) edited by Trevor D. Ford, when these became available from the publisher.
Like myself, Ernie was not happy to see cave science reduced as a relatively minor subsidiary to the sport of caving and would have been much happier had there been a true merger of the National Caving Association and British Cave Research Association, as we (in BCRA) had thought was intended, taking into account the relative membership sizes of both organisations and interests of their respective members. Unfortunately, a relatively large number of BCRA members were instead allowed to fall by the wayside, if they did not wish to resign and rejoin via the new British Caving Association. Ernie was most unhappy with this situation. This has resulted with cavers in recent times having less awareness of aspects of cave science and the importance of conserving and studying caves, rather than primarily treating them as a place to visit for 'caving trips' and outdoor exercise, where ease of access is considered to be of prime importance.
Apart from his Association work, Ernie also loved his caving in the Northern Dales and others will be able to report more fully here on the valuable contribution he made to caving in his home region.