DCA has been warned that someone unknown has recently placed an extra padlock on the entrance to Holme Bank Mine, Bakewell in an attempt to prevent people accessing it using Mr. Oldfield's key.
Mr. Oldfield has been happy to allow access to the mine, asking only for a donation to a charity by people who use the key he continues to provide, so we have to assume he knows nothing of this new attempt to exclude cavers by placing an additional lock on the gate.
The mine is popular with instructed groups and also with cave divers, who use it as a training site, so DCA will be tackling this as a matter of urgency. It is thought that the problem may be related to a dispute over ownership of the mine so, for the time being, it is probably best if groups avoid the site rather than risk stirring up further antagonism. We will try to keep cavers informed while negotiations take place.
Jenny Potts,
DCA Hon. Sec.
Mr. Oldfield has been happy to allow access to the mine, asking only for a donation to a charity by people who use the key he continues to provide, so we have to assume he knows nothing of this new attempt to exclude cavers by placing an additional lock on the gate.
The mine is popular with instructed groups and also with cave divers, who use it as a training site, so DCA will be tackling this as a matter of urgency. It is thought that the problem may be related to a dispute over ownership of the mine so, for the time being, it is probably best if groups avoid the site rather than risk stirring up further antagonism. We will try to keep cavers informed while negotiations take place.
Jenny Potts,
DCA Hon. Sec.
