I don?t think that is a fair appraisal of Cave Access Ltd at all.
The ?company? is a trust holding an access arrangement enabling all cavers/persons to enter caves & mines within the agreement.
It is entirely selfless and seeks to ?control? nothing. The persons involved in creating the structure sought to enable access for all people for all time. The people that did this chose to do so without financial reward or privilege.
The predecessor ?body? was a democratic body (ie. the CCC) which, at the time, failed to secure an agreement despite the best endeavours of the then access/conservation officer. Arguably (and I saw first hand so I can attest) it was certain persons within that democratic body that thwarted the process (does that have a familiar ring?). Consequently, following a change in officers at the CCC, the original agreement was pursued and protected.
All cavers benefit, including you Brian.
No one is taking anything away from anyone. No one has any malicious intentions and it is hard to see how anyone could harbour mens rea.
May I suggest that you commend the officers of the Cambrian Caving Council for their work in securing access for all rather than cast aspersions?
Ian