Coral Cave

[cap n chris]

Friday 16th February 07

Received a report today via email from a group who had visited it last weekend that the lid at Coral Cave was unsecured - popped over to check it out and could see why - the locking bolt no longer has anything to slot into.


Bolt exposed, shows reason why lid isn't secure

Since the entrance is a straight drop of around 50', this required remedial work so a chain has been put in place securing the lid from being left open (or opened by unwitting youngsters etc.); the chain is threaded through an in-situ hanger and looped around the lid.

The Coral Cave lid is in the process of being replaced (i.e. it should be done soon so there's not a lot of point in fixing the present lid!) and if you visit in the meantime please ensure the lid is securely fastened when you leave (don't drop the chain down the pitch!).


New chain securing entrance: still opens with standard CSCC key/padlock

I walked to the cave with the landowner who showed an interest in the site, never having been there before and not even knowing of its whereabouts.

If you notice anything "wrong" with any cave entrances on Mendip pop an email to me at canda@cscc.org.uk and it'll usually get visited pronto - same day service, when possible!

 

[whitelackington]

The lid is being manufactured this week,
probably fitted in the near future,
the manufacturer is caving in Wet Sink today :blink:

 

[cap n chris]

Pretty much perfect timing then! Thanks B & W/L

It appears that this present lid has served well for 49 years; little wonder that it's rusting to pieces.

 

[whitelackington]

Pretty much perfect timing then! Thanks B & W/L

It appears that this present lid has served well for 49 years; little wonder that it's rusting to pieces.

New lid manufactured by Biff and fitted by B.D.C.C. today.

 

[Tree Monkey]

I've seen it, very impressive stuff!  Well done Biff & co.  Waiting for Mr William to post his photos of the fitting!

 

[Tree Monkey]

Another job, jobbed then Cap'n. Another off that ongoing list of yours!

 

[cap n chris]

Saw some pics of it this evening: gosh it's fabulous! 

 

[cap n chris]

On behalf of CSCC I wish to heartily thank Biff (Lewis Frith), Whitelackington (Yes!), Giles Martin, Paul Ketcher
and Carl Ruxton all of Bracknell District Caving Club for doing a fabulous job of fabricating and installing a superb new entrance to Coral Cave on 24th February 2007.


Photo: Bill Chadwick. The fifty year old lid desperately in need of replacement!....


Photo: Bill Chadwick. Biff measuring up to fit the new lid he'd made in his workshop...

The picture of the old lid and frame taken on the 4th Feb 07, shows just how bad the frame had got, and it had worsened in the last week or so... According to Bill it took no time at all to remove! The new lid material is welded galvanised steel with the welds painted with zinc paint. The two larger holes are for reaching the lock and the passage of large moths. The fitting photo was taken before concreting and removal of small part of the overhanging back wall (to permit a better rope hang from the tree above). The new lid frame has hanging points for a ladder or SRT Y hang.


Photo: Bill Chadwick. The new lid and its maker!

So, thank you gentlemen for taking on this project and doing it so well it's going to be a tough act to follow!

N.B. Apparently it would make life easier if CSCC can install P-hangers in the rock face: perhaps Andrew A and I can look into this soon?.... Andrew?....

 

[mikem]

Rather than following the directions in Mendip Underground, it is far easier to find the entrance by taking the footpath on left, just before Bourton Farm, over the stile and straight across field to 2nd stile, then diagonally across next field to 3rd stile where immediately on your right, go over 4th stile next to the ruin (mentioned in MU) and entrance is directly in front of you (not hidden by vegetation at present)

Mike

 

[whitelackington]

Hello
Biff, Mick & Paul will be checking out The "New" Coral Cave Lid
this Saturday
easing
if needed.

 

[graham]

Hello
Biff, Mick & Paul will be checking out The "New" Coral Cave Lid
this Saturday
easing
if needed.

Take a drill, the hole in the gate for the lock could do with enlarging.

 

[whitelackington]

Hello
Biff, Mick & Paul will be checking out The "New" Coral Cave Lid
this Saturday
easing
if needed.

Take a drill, the hole in the gate for the lock could do with enlarging.

O.K. Graham

 

[Roger W]

And some paint...

Don't want it going rusty!

 

[menacer]

Thanks Mick 

 

[whitelackington]

Hello
Biff, Mick & Paul will be checking out The "New" Coral Cave Lid
this Saturday
easing
if needed.

Job, Jobbed, yesterday.

 

[Cookie]

Hello
Biff, Mick & Paul will be checking out The "New" Coral Cave Lid
this Saturday
easing
if needed.

Job, Jobbed, yesterday.

Hi Mick, are there a few words for a news item on the CSCC website and/or photos?

 

[whitelackington]

we are going to Coral Cave, again tomorrow, for s.r.t. practise.
We recently eased the new lid.
the main problem is soil getting in the groove.
If after each trip, cavers could clean out the rim
( a stick should be a good enough tool)
then there should not be a problem.
Mick

 

[Peter Burgess]

                                                                                                              Does the right hand side of your screen not work, Mick?

 

[martinr]

                                                                                                              Does the right hand side of your screen not work, Mick?

I have always assumed he is writing in Free Verse, an irregular form of poetry in which the content is free of traditional rules of versification, (freedom from fixed meter or rhyme). In moving from line to line, the poet's main consideration is where to insert line breaks. Some ways of doing this include breaking the line where there is a natural pause

or at a point of suspense for the reader.

 

[Glenn]

                                                                                                              Does the right hand side of your screen not work, Mick?

I have always assumed he is writing in Free Verse, an irregular form of poetry in which the content is free of traditional rules of versification, (freedom from fixed meter or rhyme). In moving from line to line, the poet's main consideration is where to insert line breaks. Some ways of doing this include breaking the line where there is a natural pause

or at a point of suspense for the reader.

Which can be
Very effective
When written with the calrity
That a fist in the face
Can enable you to see stars
By
J P Donleavy

Badly paraphrased 'cos the books upstairs...