Anyone know more about Storrs Cave?

[JoW]

As it's my 'local' cave and walking distance from home I went for a poke about down Storrs Cave the other day. Although it's short there was actually more in there than I was expecting. So, I just wondered if anyone knew any more information about it, or who has dug it etc. My search of the internet didn't find much since a survey from the 70s and it would be interesting to know more 

 

[mikem]

These may help:
https://caving-library.org.uk/catalogue/BCL/code/php/library.php?action=search&lib=&type=any&search=any&search_string=Storrs

 

[Inferus]

I seem to recall in 2001 (foot and mouth) or thereabouts a group of diggers, possibly from Leck Fell/Iron Kiln, digging in the Eastern end of the cave.

Robbie Burke mentioned the northern passage once, not sure if he dug/pushed it but it was longer than the survey suggested.
Also, early 2000s myself and a few Black Rose dug briefly in one of the lower muddy passages but gained nothing. I seem to recall lots of mud, a large lump of rock in the way and a general lack of enthusiasm.

Sorry it's not much detail, if nobody else answers I'll have a poke about in some notes later/tomorrow, just in case there's any more info to be had.

 

[Badlad]

I seem to recall in 2001 (foot and mouth) or thereabouts a group of diggers, possibly from Leck Fell/Iron Kiln, digging in the Eastern end of the cave.

I think Colin Davis and co had a go at it around that time.  Looking for the 'lost cave' which was said to be better than Whitescar I believe.  The story was that a cave was discovered much prettier than Whitescar so the owners of the time sealed it up so it could not be opened as a show cave and take the business away from them.  Like all stories of that nature worth taking with a pinch of salt.

 

[Inferus]

Ah, yes, cheers badlad, bumped into Colin one day on the common, couldn't remember his name earlier though.

 

[Pitlamp]

Did the Clay Egertons have some involvement with digging in Storrs, when they were associated with White Scar Cave in the 1970s?

I seem to remember Langcliffe flagging up some really interesting Storrs archive material on this forum a few years ago - try searching. (Or if he sees this maybe he'll remind us.)

 

[Alex]

Yes we (Black rose) had a few digs/prods at the downstream end, but I didn't have access to caps. Prob around 2010? I think my chisel is still in the wall where I was trying to chisel through,  I could hear the stream so if anyone want's to dig it with me and has caps (I now have a drill) then I am game.

 

[Andy Walsh]

Storrs cave was excavated in around the 1880s as a show cave by the Ingleton coal miners (a lull in coal mining localy at the time)in a bid to open up tourism hopefully like Buxton with Pool Cavern both caves Storrs cave and the one by road (lost caverns /bean pot ) became show caves however some tourists had a big row over the high price of admission 1-2 pennies and not a lot to see !!
I think the lower one (which now has an entrance pitch next to the 30 mph road sign) may have origionaly had an entrance by the house and may have had a yarn that Jane Eyre sheltered in it in the book by C Bronte
Mr Long of White scar fame is "said to have found and resealed Jane Eyre Cave " lots have looked for as it appeared a rival to opening up White Scar show cave  I thought this was a load of B---- but one day having walked / :weepcarried my granddaughter (aged 5 ) I would have defiantly paid to go in rather than further up the road and in early White scar days most people i/c children had to walk 

 

[yrammy]

Yes Pitlamp is correct . Bob and Mim Clay--Egerton were digging there in the 70s  - but I don't know anything more.

 

[darkdescender]

My father in law Vince Slinger of Ingleton who for many years was an early White Scar guide for Mabel , died 5 years ago aged 94. He always told the story that he was involved with others in the closing of Jayne Eyre. They blew it in and placed railway sleepers over it and covered it up. Until his dying  days he would not reveal any information, saying they were sworn to secrecy.  We did try, even in his last days, but he stubbornly refused to say anything.