DCA
Well-known member
For many years DCA has had a Cave Discovery Fund (not to be confused with the DCA’s Peak District Cave & Mine Exploration Prize), the purpose of which is to encourage the discovery of new caves and cave passages in the Peak District and associated areas by offering funding to offset part of the expenses incurred by DCA member clubs and/or individual members in making those discoveries. Mines may also be considered.
It also aims to ensure that conservation and access interests are properly considered in the exploitation of such discoveries and that they are properly documented and recorded. In the last 25 years, however, only half-a-dozen applications have been made to the fund, none at all in the last 11 years. There is currently a four-figure sum in the fund.
Eligible expenses might include, inter alia, building or structural materials, permanent anchor points to assist descent and ascent, printing of documents required for access or conservation, tape for protected areas. Expenses that are not eligible comprise personal caving gear, travel expenses, etc.
Back in 2022 DCA reviewed and updated the fund’s constitution and has since then posted on here a couple of times to draw the attention of cavers to the availability of this source of funding. So far, no interest. Maybe Peak District cavers are more wealthy these days!
If you do think that the fund may be of assistance to you in your digging projects, all the details are available on the DCA’s website at Derbyshire Caving Association - Cave Discovery Fund.
It may be that if there is still no interest from cavers DCA may consider ending the scheme and using the funds for other caving purposes.
Mike Higgins
DCA Vice-Chair
It also aims to ensure that conservation and access interests are properly considered in the exploitation of such discoveries and that they are properly documented and recorded. In the last 25 years, however, only half-a-dozen applications have been made to the fund, none at all in the last 11 years. There is currently a four-figure sum in the fund.
Eligible expenses might include, inter alia, building or structural materials, permanent anchor points to assist descent and ascent, printing of documents required for access or conservation, tape for protected areas. Expenses that are not eligible comprise personal caving gear, travel expenses, etc.
Back in 2022 DCA reviewed and updated the fund’s constitution and has since then posted on here a couple of times to draw the attention of cavers to the availability of this source of funding. So far, no interest. Maybe Peak District cavers are more wealthy these days!
If you do think that the fund may be of assistance to you in your digging projects, all the details are available on the DCA’s website at Derbyshire Caving Association - Cave Discovery Fund.
It may be that if there is still no interest from cavers DCA may consider ending the scheme and using the funds for other caving purposes.
Mike Higgins
DCA Vice-Chair
