Martin Laverty said:
In S Wales we now have four of these groups, none of which now report on their meetings, and few of which reveal the identity of any of their members. The PDCMG used to be quite democratic (albeit jerrymandered) but has ceased to publish details of its meetings or show any interest in maintaining its website; the MLCMAC has a more attractive website, but says virtually nothing about its composition or meetings - we just get to see who the secretary is because it is part of his website [http://mlcmac.org]; the OFDCMG [http://ofdcmc.org.uk/] has an attractive website, but only names its secretary; while the DYOCAP has an excellent website [http://www.dyo.org.uk], but reveals the identities of none of its officials, nor of when the meeting which started this thread took place.
I suppose we must trust that these shady operations really do aim to help all cavers get into dark places rather than just keep them in the dark about what is really behind all this. But S Wales does seem to be like a black hole into which caving news disappears with only faint echos of any activity emerging.
I didn't get the chance yesterday to respond to Martin's point, and as a long-term member of the DYO CAC (now CAP) I will attempt to answer the questions raised by his post.
First, a history lesson: for many years access beyond the showcave in DYO was managed by SWCC. The club ran a leader system under which caving clubs were allowed a number of guest leaders, who could apply for this status once they were able to demonstrate knowledge of the cave. This was seen as being somewhat inequitable, and an attempt to change the rules was rather badly handled. The showcave management took back control and created the DYO Cave Advisory Committee (CAC). It was formed of (mostly local) cavers and representatives from the showcave, the BBNPA and the CCW, the precursor to today's NRW. Elsie Little was the Secretary of this and wardens will recall applying to her for permits. The position of Chairman was always held by a caver, the cavers on the committee were elected at wardens' meetings, and while this was ostensibly democratic the meetings consisted of a very small pool from which to elect committee members. In effect, those with a desire to look after their own interests in relation to DYO access were able to gain a seat on the CAC, and the body was viewed with some degree of suspicion by cavers from outside the Swansea valley. In 2005 I was invited to stand for election to the CAC and despite some concerns about committing to this (I was dad to a newborn) I was duly elected.
For some while I was a thorn in the side of other cavers then on the committee. There were differences of opinion on a number of issues and I did my best to represent what I thought were the views of the active caving community, particularly with regard to matters like the provision of fixed aids within DYO. A significant cave rescue in 2008 caused some waves; Elsie Little was dismissed as Wardens' Sec and I was asked to take on the role. With a brief interlude, I have held that position ever since.
Unfortunately matters became increasingly difficult. There were a number of breaches of the cave's conservation rules and despite our best efforts the showcave owner felt that the cavers on the panel were toothless in dealing with this. In addition, members of the committee were on the receiving end of abusive emails regarding conservation matters and in the end the showcave scrapped the CAC and reformed the body as the CAP. The essential difference is that while previously cavers were elected on to the committee by wardens, cavers on the CAP are appointed. In reality there is very little difference; the members come from the same small pool of those with an interest in the cave.
There is no great secrecy about who sits on the CAP. I am happy to be the public face of this to cavers, but it would be remiss of me to mention the other cavers involved without their permission - as mentioned above, panel members have in the past been on the receiving end of unwarranted and unacceptable abuse. The minutes of meetings are not published because matters are discussed that are potentially commercially sensitive, from the showcave's point-of-view, but if anyone wants information about issues pertaining to caving in DYO then please feel free to get in touch. There is no intention to be in any way secretive and indeed my view is that cavers should be more involved in the decision-making process; as mentioned above, there have been times in the past when the cavers on the CAC/CAP were seriously out-of-touch with the views of active cavers.
With regard to access to the cave; visiting clubs can request a trip and I will do my best to find a volunteer Warden to take them. BCA insurance is a prerequisite. Anyone who wants a Warden permit can apply for one but will need a recommendation from a Warden who has accompanied them into the cave. It's important that anyone leading trips into the cave understands the flood risks and the conservation issues, and the showcave want the reassurance that only responsible cavers have access to their property. Such applications are rarely refused: I can't remember anyone being declined, although two cavers have had permits withdrawn for serious breaches of the cave rules. Despite the complaints of some the system is not onerous; the showcave have every right to protect their business and their property and cavers should consider themselves extremely fortunate that caving access is as readily available as it is. In reality, the biggest restriction on access to DYO is the Welsh weather - between October and April you need a sustained dry spell for safe access to be possible and even in the summer months access is by no means guaranteed. If anyone wants more information, please get in touch.
