Don't know why I'm doing this.....

[rhychydwr1]

I was a student caver (BUSS, Birmingham Uni) - I don't feel the need to use the term 'proper' - I was a caver then and am a caver now. I agree, to use the term 'proper' is rude.  Student cavers should be encouraged, they together with other younger cavers are the future of our sport.

Hello CHECC cavers - you're very welcome on ukcaving 

Being a superior caver, I call myself a Speleologist.

 

[Mark Wright]

This really worries me, TSG stands for Technical Speleological Group, whilst I was with them we tried hard to stick to the ethos of technology, I do hope it is not about to turn into a college club satellite.

How would this be a problem? Without an influx of young (proper or not so) cavers surely membership of the club will dwindle and then it won't matter what its core values are? Of course, you want to stick to your core values, but surely that's not an issue of recruitment/ex student cavers joining? As Alistair said, its up to old club members to encourage new club members to find new cave!

Student caving has always been 'proper'. A quick read of Beneath the Mountains will tell you that.

We should be supporting CHECC, its brilliant!

Bograt,

Your memory of the TSG always trying hard to stick to the ethos of technology is very different to mine. As well as the items of 'Technical Equipment' already mentioned there was also the mobile crane and gas powered man riding winch. I went along on what I think was the only time the winch was used, the generator didn't work most of the time because it didn't have an Earth Leakage Trip and the mobile crane was eventually scrapped having never moved from the Chapel garage.

When the first good quality cordless drills came out (Bosch GBH24V) the club refused to invest in one on the grounds that people would use it and wear it out!!!

The CDG and the DCC did invest in the latest 'Technical Equipment' and with the help of Pitlamp, Pete O'Neil and the late Frank Brown, some major discoveries were made in the caves and mines around Castleton.

The TSG has been what you call a 'College Club Satellite' for as long as I can remember. I myself joined the club after being a SUSS member and throughout the 80's most of the clubs officers were former SUSS members. If it wasn't for the likes of Sheffield and York Universities feeding the club it would really struggle financially to maintain the hut which would be a real shame for everyone.

You don't need to be worried about the TSG, they are still technical but instead of acquiring 'Technical Equipment' and then trying to find somewhere to use it, they do plenty of caving and if they come across a problem they get the right piece of 'Technical Equipment' for the job. These days the ultimate item of 'Technical Equipment', for me anyway, is a cordless drill, just as it was in the 80's. One of the clubs recent projects did use a very nice piece of 'Technical Equipment' only a few weeks ago, a helicopter to fly materials and sandwiches up to Longcliff Mine.

As for CHECC, I have to agree completely with meanderthal.

Mark

 

[droid]

Classic thread!

It always amazes me how people forget theit wild young days as they get older and part of the 'caving elders'.

I can remember caving with YUCPC 30 odd years ago (before the Gottmeister was born, probably) and some of the pre-caving parties were bloody legendary....

Still did plenty though, trips to Spain, Ireland and the Dales....more parties....

I was at the YUCPC 30th event a few years back. It was gratifying to see that the old traditions were being upheld by the new generations. Caving is supposed to be fun, not po-faced.

 

[cap n chris]

Caving is supposed to be fun, not po-faced.

100% spot on.

 

[alastairgott]

I was at the YUCPC 30th event a few years back.

are you the caver in blue?
http://www.yucpc.org.uk/gallery/album.php?id=279&year=&author=&keyword=&sort=AlbumDate&page=3

 

[droid]

No. That's Mr Fewster. I am in the 'dinner' shots though, Talking to Roo Walters. With the long hair.....

 

[alastairgott]

Did you turn up on a motorbike?

 

[droid]

Yes.

When Roo was doing his presentation, he insisted on calling me ''Dave Headley' all night. It was an excellent night, good to meet the younger generation bravely carrying on the YUCPC tradition of drinking to excess and having a damn good party! 

 

[pwhole]

Air leg rock drill.
Wonder if they still have them,  wonder if anyone knows how to use them

I've no idea how to use the rock drill, but I'd love to have a go. There's only one job on my list big enough warrant such drastic action though, and I'm not sure if I'd want to be under it whilst it was being drilled! But yes, rest assured there are still TSG digs and projects being done, and technical solutions being used where appropriate. Like helicopters. And aerial LIDAR scanning. But my favourite technical equipment currently is also plug and feathers.

As for students, I was probably being a bit harsh, as the chapel was packed all weekend, and they do certainly bring proper cavers and money into the club. It's the stripped-to-the-waist, pissed-up mania, trashing-the-kitchen (toaster in the microwave?) and all the rest that gets to me, so I usually go home. 'Borrowing' my Tilley hat being the ultimate crime. I honestly never used to get up to that sort of thing at Uni, but we certainly weren't boring either. It just wasn't done on gallons of beer.

 

[2xw]

Probably wouldn't take the mick out of tsg (read: alistair) if it was true. But theyre always doing stuff - this weekend saw them digging, prospecting, refilling the dumps in peak and replacing rope in west swirl plus probably other stufc. Them lot always out and about.

Nothing to say re microwaves and drinking but worth pointing out that this weekend saw students from 3 clubs get together and do training in rigging, rescue, basic srt etc in peak, giants, p8, maskhill, oxlow and JH, with thanks to GZ, anne and others for facillitating this.

 

[nickwilliams]

The TSG still has rock drills and pumps and the like. They are currently sitting in my barn while a new secure store for them is built in the Chapel. There is also still plenty of more or less technical caving going on - we're just not media tarts like the Eldon.  :tease:

 

[AR]

I honestly never used to get up to that sort of thing at Uni, but we certainly weren't boring either. It just wasn't done on gallons of beer.

Especially not at this particular time of year, Phil? In my student days I would have been taking long walks in the hills around now....

 

[Diglett]

It's really good to see some CHECC-related discussion on UKCaving, with some (mostly) encouraging comments from 'proper cavers'.

It's true, the CHECC 2015 Forum details are all over Facebook; in the CHECC group (ca. 600 members) as well as individual university club groups' pages. Perhaps it is a sign of the times that Facebook is the go-to social media portal, even for many cavers (for example I've been caving since 2010 and have only logged 7 posts on UKCaving). Perhaps those people running student caving clubs like having a forum where student cavers, particularly impressionable Freshers, can be encouraged rather than derided. CHECC maintains a healthy Facebook presence, but thanks largely to Pegasus it is looking back to UKCaving as a supportive environment for discussion and dialogue.

The Facebook group works well for student cavers, who indeed are quite a close-knit demographic. But a quick look at the Forum on UKCaving demonstrates the sheer sum of knowledge and information of its user community. If a student posts a question on the CHECC Facebook group such as asking for advice on e.g. a kit purchase or acquiring permits they will usually get the information they need in good time, but posting the same question on UKCaving would no doubt illicit a much more detailed and valuable response from the wider caving community. CHECC is looking to once again promote UKCaving in this light and UKCaving will have a significant presence at the 2015 Forum.

As for '5 6ths partying 1 6th caving', CHECC is committed to providing training and experiential opportunities for student cavers. Training events this year include surveying, photography, beginners SRT, advanced SRT and rigging; and these are provided by both student and non-student cavers. There will also be presentations on cave science and conservation. This said, the annual CHECC Forum has traditionally harbored a 'lively' and unapologetic party atmosphere and this has always been a great way for clubs to network, spark some healthy competition and get to know one another. I would even argue that no other nationwide network of higher education sports clubs has such an intimate and supportive community, and one which I hope will grow from strength to strength with more of a UKCaving presence in the near future (thanks to everyone who's contributed to this thread so far).

Looking forward to many more CHECC and student discussions on UKCaving over the coming months! Cheers

Thom Starnes (CHECC Chairperson)

P.S. If 'proper cavers' can't handle a 'few gallons' of beer and then go and learn to use a compass and clino the next day, it's hardly the students' fault! 

 

[ah147]

Bloody students...coming to our huts and studenting about a bit....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Socialrobot]

Anyhow, I think the TSG committee should send a representative to CHECC on a fact finding mission. Now we're back on topic.

A bit late in replying, but I would just like to say that I am on both the TSG committee and the CHECC committee!

 

[Alex]

As for '5 6ths partying 1 6th caving',

I only put up my 5 out of 6 partying comment based on the photo that was with this post which seems to have vanished. It showed 5 partying scenes and one caving scene.

 

[bograt]

Partying? this is a forum so the term is surely Networking? 

 

[Pegasus]

As for '5 6ths partying 1 6th caving',

I only put up my 5 out of 6 partying comment based on the photo that was with this post which seems to have vanished. It showed 5 partying scenes and one caving scene.

You're right Alex - it has disappeared - no idea why, possibly due to recent change in hosting company.  This is what I originally posted....

Many years since I was a student, however as no one from CHECC has posted this, I will.....  :halo:

Though I'd now like to add a thank you to CHECC for using the forum, 

 

[Pegasus]

I think you meant this one Alex - also disappeared, sorry 

 

[Alex]

Yep that's the one. (You can see what I mean hehe).