NameOfTheDragon
New member
I received the following report from PDCMG Secretary Sue Mabbett earlier today. Sue attended the site meeting with Cadw and others and has provided the following update:
The only thing I would add to that (as a trustee of PDCMG) is to say that much of the area overlying Ogof Draenen is part of a World Heritage Site containing many Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Registered Monuments and other protected features. This land is not ours to do with as we please. Care is needed when doing anything potentially damaging such as opening an entrance. There is no single entrance policy as some are quick to claim, but each matter is considered on a case by case basis and in good faith. This was clarified at the 2009 EGM. PDCMG exists to balance the wishes of cavers with those of the land owner, the need for conservation and the legal requirements of the conservation authorities. It is a difficult but necessary balance. Unilateral action does not help in this task and it often does not reflect well on the caving community as a whole, which is rather unfair on those playing by the rules. It makes far more sense to engage responsibly with PDCMG and then potentially move forward with the backing and support of the caving community. Twll Du was kept secret from PDCMG so that all that can really be done now is to assist Cadw in an attempt to limit the reputational damage to caving. It is to be hoped that both BCA and CCC are clear on their priorities in this regard.
Dear PDCMG Clubs Representatives, Committee Members and trustees
Yesterday a meeting organised by Amelia Pannett of CADW was held to discuss and review the illegal excavation on the Garnddyrus Forge and Hills Tramroad, scheduled monument MM189. At this meeting there were representatives from CADW, National Park, Police, Natural Resources Wales, BCA, CCC (Secretary and Conservation/ Access Officer), and PDCMG (secretary (me) and a trustee) and couple of interested local cavers.
The meeting opened with Jon Berry (CADW), outlining the legal requirements to request changes to scheduled monuments and the current legislation which protects scheduled monuments. This current legislation does not allow for ignorance of the law as a defence for any damage to a scheduled monument. In summary as my previous report this new entrance constitutes criminal damage of a scheduled monument. If anyone wants further information on scheduled monuments in Wales and the legislation in place to protect them please contact Amelia, her e-mail is Amelia.Pannett@gov.wales.
A question was raised to ask if permission had been sought for this new entrance if it would have been permitted. In reviewing the site these changes would not have been permitted by CADW due to its location adjacent to a public footpath and the potential to permanently damage the tramway. Those present representing the statuary bodies; CADW, Police, and National Park Representative (who are responsible for maintaining footpaths) stated that this new entrance to Ogof Draenen must be sealed and the damage to Tramroad repaired to return the site to its original state prior to the excavation. The police officer, Maldwyn John requested if anyone from the caving community had any information on those who had caused this criminal damage to contact him, any information given maybe in confidence. Maldwyn?s contact details are Tel. 01495 238006 / 07464 645412 or e-mail Maldwyn.John@gwent.pnn.police.uk.
Once the site meeting was finished a small group of those present, including CADW, NRW, PDCMG, CCC and BCA adjourned to NRW offices to discuss how to progress repair of the damage to the Tramroad. This included short term actions to assess potential bat activity through the entrance, protecting the entrance from potential accidental entry and protecting the site from further damage. Longer term activities were also discussed.
One of those activities is for the caving community to be informed that Ogof Draenen must not be entered by this entrance and to do so is a criminal act. CADW will be placing a ?Stop Notice? at the site which will also inform the public that this entry must not be used to access Ogof Draenen. This is also the purpose of this e-mail; so PDCMG Club representatives please forward this information to your Club members. If any club representatives requires further clarification or information please contact Amelia or Maldwyn.
Other reports and information will be sent out by CCC and other caving publications. Over the next few weeks a more detailed joint statement will be issued by the caving organisations involved.
Sue Mabbett
PDCMG Secretary
The only thing I would add to that (as a trustee of PDCMG) is to say that much of the area overlying Ogof Draenen is part of a World Heritage Site containing many Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Registered Monuments and other protected features. This land is not ours to do with as we please. Care is needed when doing anything potentially damaging such as opening an entrance. There is no single entrance policy as some are quick to claim, but each matter is considered on a case by case basis and in good faith. This was clarified at the 2009 EGM. PDCMG exists to balance the wishes of cavers with those of the land owner, the need for conservation and the legal requirements of the conservation authorities. It is a difficult but necessary balance. Unilateral action does not help in this task and it often does not reflect well on the caving community as a whole, which is rather unfair on those playing by the rules. It makes far more sense to engage responsibly with PDCMG and then potentially move forward with the backing and support of the caving community. Twll Du was kept secret from PDCMG so that all that can really be done now is to assist Cadw in an attempt to limit the reputational damage to caving. It is to be hoped that both BCA and CCC are clear on their priorities in this regard.