mrodoc said:
The farmer has a system akin to those described but people abuse it. He is not on site all the time but spots groups going down who clearly have not paid and is getting exasperated. Having met him it is a little unclear exactly what he does want but he seemed to think DCUC would be able to approach all outdoor groups and threaten them. If anybody wants to chat to him he hangs often in a caravan in the orchard just up the road on the right from the cave (right next to the farm house which he has sold). The envelope/cash thing is not working as far as he is concerned. Groups involved have included scout groups.
Honesty systems like this can function well, but not if:
a) Those visiting the cave take advantage and avoid payment
b) The landowner is overly distrustful and suspicious
I have no way to know if we are dealing principally with a, b or a mixture of a and b. Cavers are generally honest. Farmers are, unfortunately, often inclined to be mistrustful.
I would make one more observation. I find it hard to believe that managers of outdoor centres would send groups out in sign-written mini-buses with instructions to avoid payment, and therfore to risk exclusion, from the only site within 80 miles suitable for novice caving.