2025 Cave & Mine Adoption & Clean-Up List! You could win upto £500! with Gear and a Trophy!

[Big Underground Clean-Up]

Hey All,

Welcome to the all new reworked 2025 Cave & Mine Adoption & Clean-Up List!

Are you the observational type of person? Do you like winning Trophies, money, & caving gear?

You could win Money, Gear, and an Award! with The Big Underground Clean-Up UK - The competition site: https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/

You could win Cash, Gear, and an Award! there are 1st, 2nd & 3rd places to be won with the following 2 categories:

Most Adoptions & Clean-Ups by clubs.
- First place prize: £500 Cash in the bank, Gear, & the First-place club trophy.
- Second Place Prize: £250 Cash in the bank, Gear, & Second-place club trophy.
- Third Place Prize: £125 Cash in the bank, Gear, & Third-place club trophy.


Most Adoptions & Clean-Ups by Individuals.
- First place prize: £500 Cash in the bank, Gear, & the First-place individual trophy.
- Second Place Prize: £250 Cash in the bank, Gear, & Second-place individual trophy.
- Third Place Prize: £125 Cash in the bank, Gear, & Third-place individual trophy.

((Before Entering be sure to check the Competition Rules and Guidelines.))
The Competition Guidelines and Rules: https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/guidelinesandrules

Participation in the competition is FREE!
All you have to do is be a member of UK-Caving! or Buddle-Pit! and report your observations!

Fill out the form after you have been out caving, and submit it with either your “UK-Caving Username” or “Buddle-Pit Username” or your “Caving Club Name”
How to Enter the Competition: https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/enter-competition

The confirmed sponsors so far are: UK-Caving! Buddle-Pit!, Descent Magazine!, BCA-British Caving Association!, Action Stash!, Trogg-Shop!, and SpanSet.

Starless River has also confirmed that it will sponsor one of the prizes; we are waiting for them to confirm the prize they will sponsor.

The Mendip List and the Yorkshire List are still under development. You can still fill in the form even if the location is not on the list yet, and you will be entered into the competition.

Cavers can enter caves or mines that are not yet on the list, by filling out the form and entering the details of that cave in the Location Name and Caving Region.

((Cavers must follow the Guidelines & Rules of the Competition.))

The competition Awards Trophies and Gear will be handed to the winners at Hidden Earth 2025!

We would like to Thank all of the Project's Sponsors: UK-Caving! Buddle-Pit!, Descent Magazine!, BCA-British Caving Association!, Action Stash!, Trogg-Shop!, SpanSet & Starless River!.

Thank You

 

[Tritim230]

Fantastic and well worth supporting. We'll fill in the form but please add the Forest of Dean as a region. In terms of cave length and significance it is a major region and certainly bigger than Bristol!

 

[Big Underground Clean-Up]

Fantastic and well worth supporting. We'll fill in the form but please add the Forest of Dean as a region. In terms of cave length and significance it is a major region and certainly bigger than Bristol!

We will be sure to add this region, if you fill out the form and add the location name with the caving region we'll be more than happy to add it to the list with due credit.

 

[Space Doubt Caver]

Fantastic and well worth supporting. We'll fill in the form but please add the Forest of Dean as a region. In terms of cave length and significance it is a major region and certainly bigger than Bristol!

I have added the Forest Of Dean section, so that when you submit the form I can add it to that section, I have also added South Wales,

So now the lists "Under Development" (U.D.) are: Mendip, Yorkshire, Forest Of Dean, and South Wales.

Forest Of Dean - https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/forestofdean
Mendip - https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/mendip
South Wales - https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/southwales
Yorkshire - https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/yorkshire

So when cavers and mine explorers fill out the form on the site, for any of the above locations, I will prioritize adding the locations from the submitted forms on the list and on the site.
SDC

 

[Pitlamp]

I applaud your initiative and your enthusiasm!

But . . . Please don't misname The Dales as only "Yorkshire". Otherwise you'll miss out many of our finest caves.
(Cumbria and Lancashire feature significantly.)

Even better than "The Dales" would be, simply, "Northern England". That way you'd also include many fine caves further north (Co. Durham, Northumberland, etc / the Furness caving area. (Although of course the fast developing caving area of the North York Moors IS in Yorkshire.)

 

[Space Doubt Caver]

I applaud your initiative and your enthusiasm!

But . . . Please don't misname The Dales as only "Yorkshire". Otherwise you'll miss out many of our finest caves.
(Cumbria and Lancashire feature significantly.)

Even better than "The Dales" would be, simply, "Northern England". That way you'd also include many fine caves further north (Co. Durham, Northumberland, etc / the Furness caving area. (Although of course the fast developing caving area of the North York Moors IS in Yorkshire.)

wonderful idea i will implement it
[Edit] - Done it has now been implemented Thank you for this amazing suggestion

The Dales & Northern England - https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/the-dales-northern-england

 

[PeteHall]

I'm not going to volunteer for it right now, as I don't have time, but Stoke Lane Slocker is in dire need if a clean-up.

I did a fairly thorough job from Sump 1 most of the way back to the entrance about 10 years ago, and most of the rubbish was decades old, so I'm hopeful that it will stay fairly clean (it wasn't bad last time I visited). I do still have a Special Brew can that I found wedged in the roof with alcohol quoted in 'specific gravity' not ABV, if that puts a date on it!

However, the streamway from Sump 1 to Sump 2 is still (or at least last time I was there) full of ancient rubbish and would really benefit from a good clean-up.

I can't remember how bad it was after Sump 2, but that is much lower priority as it's only accesible to divers and rarely visited.

 

[Big Underground Clean-Up]

I'm not going to volunteer for it right now, as I don't have time, but Stoke Lane Slocker is in dire need if a clean-up.

I did a fairly thorough job from Sump 1 most of the way back to the entrance about 10 years ago, and most of the rubbish was decades old, so I'm hopeful that it will stay fairly clean (it wasn't bad last time I visited). I do still have a Special Brew can that I found wedged in the roof with alcohol quoted in 'specific gravity' not ABV, if that puts a date on it!

However, the streamway from Sump 1 to Sump 2 is still (or at least last time I was there) full of ancient rubbish and would really benefit from a good clean-up.

I can't remember how bad it was after Sump 2, but that is much lower priority as it's only accesible to divers and rarely visited.

Hey Pete,

We will be sure to add it to the list

Thank you
The Big Underground Cave & Mine Clean-Up & Adoption List UK

 

[Big Underground Clean-Up]

A special Thank You to UK-Caving!

Not only are they hosting this event on their forum.
They are sponsoring the FIRST PLACE PRIZE
For the INDIVIDUALS CATEGORY!
which is: A FULL SRT KIT!
Worth a Whopping £590
For the Individual Category!​

 

[TLH]

@Tangent_tracker DCC for the Alderley locations at least?

 

[aricooperdavis]

Can we add "The South West" as a region for Devon/Cornwall? Cornwall has quite a few mines that would really benefit from a careful clean-up.

 

[Space Doubt Caver]

Can we add "The South West" as a region for Devon/Cornwall? Cornwall has quite a few mines that would really benefit from a careful clean-up.

Yes i will do that now ~

{Edit] - @aricooperdavis I have added it, thank you for this amazing suggestion - https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/south-west-england

 

[Big Underground Clean-Up]

Good Afternoon all,

Are you Caving this weekend?

Please remember you could win Cash, Gear, and an Award!
Just for filing out this form and reporting your observations: https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/enter-competition

(To Enter you do not need to take part in Clean-Up Activities, All you have to do is report the locations condition and you will be entered.)

We realise that many projects need to be kept under the rug, & it's the same with many digs. We understand this greatly.
In this instance, We'd just put the club name or individual name, and the caving region E.g. (Derbyshire, North Wales,) without any direct links or location names. they would be only listed as Project A1, Project A2, Project B1 and so forth.

If people or clubs were to E-mail me directly, (My E-mail Address can be found at the footer of the website) they could enter and be rightfully credited for their efforts, and we can keep the location name off the publicly viewed list at request while maintaining to still have their efforts recognised as mentioned above


There are 1st, 2nd & 3rd places to be won with the following 2 categories:

Most Adoptions & Clean-Ups by clubs.
- First place prize: £500 Cash in the bank, Gear, & the First-place club trophy.
- Second Place Prize: £250 Cash in the bank, Gear, & Second-place club trophy.
- Third Place Prize: £125 Cash in the bank, Gear, & Third-place club trophy.


Most Adoptions & Clean-Ups by Individuals.
- First place prize: £500 Cash in the bank, Gear, & the First-place individual trophy.
- Second Place Prize: £250 Cash in the bank, Gear, & Second-place individual trophy.
- Third Place Prize: £125 Cash in the bank, Gear, & Third-place individual trophy.

UK-Caving are sponsoring the FIRST PLACE PRIZE
For the INDIVIDUALS CATEGORY!
which is: A FULL SRT KIT!
Worth a Whopping £590
___________________________________________
Action Stash are Sponsoring this event.

the prizes which are:
A Couple of Amazing Rope Bags!
________________________________________________________________________________​

Trogg Shop! are sponsoring one of the prizes
which is:
An Amazing GEO - LUX22 Head Torch!
_________________________________________________ ​

SpanSet are sponsoring one of the prizes
which is:
An Amazing Length of Caving Rope 30M/50M​

​

 

[Big Underground Clean-Up]

Good Afternoon all,

Are you Cave or Mine Exploring this weekend?

Please remember you could win Cash, Gear, and an Award!
Just for filling out this form and reporting your observations: https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/enter-competition

(To Enter you do not need to take part in Clean-Up Activities, All you have to do is report the locations condition and you will be entered.)

We realise that many projects need to be kept under the rug, & it's the same with many digs. We understand this greatly.
In this instance, We'd just put the club name or individual name, and the caving region E.g. (Derbyshire, North Wales,) without any direct links or location names. they would be only listed as Project A1, Project A2, Project B1 and so forth.

If people or clubs were to E-mail me directly, (My E-mail Address can be found at the footer of the website) they could enter and be rightfully credited for their efforts, and we can keep the location name off the publicly viewed list at request while maintaining to still have their efforts recognised as mentioned above

Check Out the official poster on Buddle Pit - https://buddlepit.co.uk/community/index.php?pages/Competition/

There are 1st, 2nd & 3rd places to be won with the following 2 categories:

Most Adoptions & Clean-Ups by clubs.
- First place prize: £500 Cash in the bank, Gear, & the First-place club trophy.
- Second Place Prize: £250 Cash in the bank, Gear, & Second-place club trophy.
- Third Place Prize: £125 Cash in the bank, Gear, & Third-place club trophy.


Most Adoptions & Clean-Ups by Individuals.
- First place prize: £500 Cash in the bank, Gear, & the First-place individual trophy.
- Second Place Prize: £250 Cash in the bank, Gear, & Second-place individual trophy.
- Third Place Prize: £125 Cash in the bank, Gear, & Third-place individual trophy.

UK-Caving is sponsoring the FIRST PLACE PRIZE
For the INDIVIDUALS CATEGORY!
which is: A FULL SRT KIT!
Worth a Whopping £590
___________________________________________
Action Stash is Sponsoring this event.

the prizes which are:
A Couple of Amazing Rope Bags!
__________________________________________________​

Trogg Shop! is sponsoring one of the prizes​

which is:​

An Amazing GEO - LUX22 Head Torch!​

_________________________________________________ ​

SpanSet is sponsoring one of the prizes​

which is:​

An Amazing Length of Caving Rope 30M/50M​

________________________________________________________​

Objectives:

1. Adopt locations, participate in cleanup activities, or report their condition.
   ______________________________________________________________________________
   
   How To Participate!

4 Main Ways To Participate:

1. Report Condition Only: Participants who do not wish to engage in cleaning activities or adopt a location can still contribute by filling out the form to report the location's condition. This action earns 5 competition points per entry.
   
   
2. Report & Adopt: When a location does not require cleaning but needs adoption, participants should report it using the form. Adopting such locations earns 10 competition points per entry.
   
   
3. Report & Clean: Participants who wish to engage in cleaning activities without adopting the location should fill out the form to report the condition and details of the cleanup (e.g., rubbish, spray paint). This action earns 20 competition points per entry.
   
   
4. Adopt & Clean: Participants who adopt a location and engage in cleanup activities should fill out the form to report the condition and details of their efforts (e.g., rubbish, spray paint). This action earns 30 competition points per entry.

Participation Flexibility:

• Participants can choose their level of involvement.
• Locations reported but not adopted or cleaned will be listed publicly for others to take on.

Reporting Benefits:

• Helps keep records updated for BCA etc...
• Helps identify locations needing larger cleanups.
• You could win big!

When you report the condition of the location, you are saying "I CARE ABOUT CAVES AND MINES" The benefits of this will give us the chance to have updated records of the condition of the location, and we will be sharing this with the BCA, DCA, CNCC, CSCC, etc... so they can update their records too, and also undertake and possibly fund bigger cleanups.

So if a place is full of litter, Fly tipping, or Graffiti, This is obviously the goal to clear & remove this, E.G. if it’s 1 bag 20 bags or 5 skip fulls?
For extensive cleanups, such as those requiring "5 skip fulls," we will seek funding from National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and we will also aim to secure sponsorships for necessary equipment by bigger corporations. This is particularly important in cases of fly-tipping, which may involve biological hazards like needles. Such situations require assessment and appropriate PPE.

If the mess is relatively small (Manageable 1-10 bags of rubbish left by explorers), participants are encouraged to handle the cleanup themselves. They will be credited for their efforts by reporting via the form. If someone adopts the location, they can visit a few times a year, updating the form each time to gain more points.

While the person reporting the issue, is not required to handle the cleanup, they will be credited if they choose to do so.

If a place is clear & you adopt this does this then mean you will be “maintain “ it from then on? Sort of your local mine? - In essence, yes. We request participants to provide at least one update on the location each year.
This is more about "monitoring the location" rather than maintaining it. If participants choose to voluntarily maintain and care for the location, they will be credited and recognized for their efforts.
We encourage all maintenance, cleanup, or inspection activities to be reported to ensure we have the most up-to-date information on the location.
If you report such activities you will be credited as mentioned above.

Are you aiming to clear up broken wood which has fallen down stopes & deads? - Every mine is different, and would need assessing by people who know the location, what are the pros and cons of moving such things in mines etc... they would need to seek advice on how to move forward because some mines are classed as national monuments and such items may be recorded as part of the heritage.
(This is a Grey area) - if the mine exploring group or club members all agree it will improve the safety of the route it may be beneficial, but I would advise those to seek further advice in this instance.

Just stuff brought in since closing? Not any mine waste at all? Sometimes miners leave a lot of crap as well.
Primarily, we focus on removing items brought in after the location's closure.
However, litter left by miners can provide valuable insights into their daily lives. For example, at M.F. Quarry in North Wales, old empty Woodbine cigarette packets left by miners offer a glimpse into their consumption habits.
These packets, no longer produced anywhere in the world, are considered part of the mine's history, giving us a better understanding of the miners' lives.
It is easier to recognize and date older rubbish left by miners.

So we only encourage moving rubbish & graffiti that is in the location that has found its way inside since the mine was closed.

Thank You
SDC

 

[Big Underground Clean-Up]

 

[Big Underground Clean-Up]

Bump to top

 

[Big Underground Clean-Up]

Bump to top

Good Evening all,

Have you been Cave or Mine Exploring this weekend?

Please remember you could win Cash, Gear, and an Award!
Just for filling out this form and reporting your observations: https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/enter-competition

"To Enter you do not need to take part in Clean-Up Activities"
(All you have to do is report the locations condition and you will be entered.)
Do not miss out!
UK-Caving is sponsoring the FIRST PLACE PRIZE
For the INDIVIDUALS CATEGORY!
which is: A FULL SRT KIT!
Worth a Whopping £590!
​

For more information, Scroll to the top of this thread.

 

[Big Underground Clean-Up]

Bump to top

Good Evening all,

Have you been Cave or Mine Exploring this weekend?

Please remember you could win Cash, Gear, and an Award!
Just for filling out this form and reporting your observations: https://www.caveandminecleanupuk.co.uk/enter-competition

"To Enter you do not need to take part in Clean-Up Activities"
(All you have to do is report the locations condition and you will be entered.)
Do not miss out!

UK-Caving is sponsoring the FIRST PLACE PRIZE
For the INDIVIDUALS CATEGORY!
which is: A FULL SRT KIT!
Worth a Whopping £590!​

For more information, Scroll to the top of this thread.

Dougie 89 and Kendal Caving Club (KCC) have taken the lead, with the most adoptions and clean up's to date!

Will you or your club overtake them?

 

[Big Underground Clean-Up]

SPRING IS UPON US!​

- Do you care about your local caves?
- Do you care about your local mines?
- Do you care when people litter or graffiti in your favourite locations?
- Do you want to care for these locations for future generations?
- Are you the kind of person that takes action?

Then the Cave & Mine, Adoption list and clean up list is for you!

Not only are we working with the British Caving association to help them update their records.
We also work alongside N.E. Natural England, Natural Resources Wales N.R.W, & NatureScot, N.S. also the British Geological Survey, B.G.S.
Whom are all updating their records with the information we are gathering.

I have been working very hard on the site to bring these lists up-to-date, by the end of this month, the lists will be updated individually with over 3/4000+ more locations including:

These four will be in the section called Northern England!
- Yorkshire Dales,
- North York Moors,
- North Pennines,
- Cumbria,

These four will be listed as follows!
- Mendip hills,
- Cornwall,
- South Wales,
- Mid Wales!

On the backend I have been building these lists and they are nearly ready to be published to the public site!
It will take a bit of time while I double check everything before bringing it to the main site!

Specially protected locations are not going to be on the list, because it's in the best interest for the protection of these caves, and their locations, that they are not shared in any capacity, at the request of the BCA and BGS!
Some of these locations are also on MOD land and are completely restricted to the public, at all times so also will not be added to the list!

Here are some videos showing some of the Clean-Up's we have already done!
Hope you all have a great weekend caving! be safe!
SDC

 

[PeteHall]

Looking at the website and form, there only appears to be a way to enter a cave name and tick a box for the cleanliness status. Eg clean, graffiti, rubbish.

There appears to be no place to add a free text description (eg "new graffiti found on south side of main chamber"), or to upload a photograph.

There is also no way to record the severity of the problem. Eg. A pop bottle floating between the Rowten sumps (as I found and removed at the weekend) would be recorded the same as someone emptying the back of their tipper transit into the cave entrance.

I have found the whole "is it on the list or not on the list" thing totally confusing, as the list is nowhere nearby. If you're working on updating the website, a drop-down selection for region, then a drop-down selection for caves within that region (with an option of "other") would make this much more intuitive. Subdividing regions into areas would make it a lot easier to use once you've got a sensible number of sites listed, so it would definitely be worth adding that too.

On this point, I would speculate that you can import cave names from the various regional bodies, rather than manually adding sites one at a time in what appears to be a totally arbitrary manner at present.

If the reporting system was a bit more user-friendly and the lists more complete, people would perhaps be more tempted to submit data. Hopefully your website update will address this.