This says 4-8 for leader permit, but doesn't give numbers with personal ones: https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance/underground-activities/caving/

The FB link did work for me, but should also appear on here (the rescue was actually before the rope was removed): https://www.northwalescro.org.uk/north-wales-cave-rescue-incidents/

So is the photo on here entrance to lower cave? https://oldfieldslimestone.blogspot.com/2014/04/hells-cauldron-devils-handiwork-in.html?m=1

BEC visit from 1971 mentioned the change: https://bec-cave.org.uk/belfry-bulletin-no-300-october-1972/

They definitely are more attracted to some than others

Climbing insurance claim: https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?threads/%C2%A312-million-pound-public-liability-claim.31310

Last year's AGM reports give a reasonable idea of what they've been up to (inc. CRoW): https://british-caving.org.uk/about-bca/bca-council/official-documents/

It also depends if they decide that open access applies to entrances that were historically always open, those known to have been dug open, mines that lead into caves, caves that lead into mines, and those that are going to be opened in the future... There might well be a massive increase in...

According to the government website they incorporated as a limited company in 1983

So was I, although jackdaws and magpies have also increased

They have still massively increased in numbers since most cavers were born

The thinking at the time was more that landowners wouldn't allow digging if they then had no choice about everyone else visiting... The government would presumably also have a problem with how to legislate for systems that extended outside of the access areas and new holes being opened up, so...

Plus lots of caves were dug open and farmers don't like extra holes on their land. There are caves where you have to be a BCA member (majority of whom are in clubs) I wasn't suggesting F&M was a reason for the insurance, it was just another issue that restricted caving around that time & made...

It was just after the almost complete shutdown caused by foot and mouth

Unfortunately BCA membership is only about 0.01% of UK population, so has very little influence as far as government are concerned.

Best off just staying away: "It is an offence to intentionally disturb any of these species during the breeding season without a valid licence."

Difficult ask with only a couple of part time employees, so Josh you mean more like: https://british-caving.org.uk/new-treasurer/

Insurance is the main thing they provide that would be difficult to do otherwise. They do organise and fund training courses for clubs and individuals, plus support for access agreements.

Pretty much all other outdoor/ sports clubs include insurance in their membership fees, usually through some form of affiliation to their NGB. I believe a major factor in NCA originally being set up was that the sports council would only give out grants to national bodies & for a time they were...

You have to remember that majority of cavers don't engage with ukcaving