Fairy Holes - Weardale

[NigR]

A more realistic project would possibly be to attempt to enter the cave from the sink area, some half a kilometre or so from the end of the explored cave. The YRC pushed a bedding plane passage at the sink for some distance, and also entered a level which was supposed to have crossed the line of the cave. The former got too tight, and the latter was seen to have been driven through some pretty poor ground, and they encountered a major rockfall.

I had a trip down one of the sinks many years ago when I lived up north and I can confirm that it did indeed get far too tight. There were a number of encouraging signs, however, and it would be well worth another look to reassess whether further progress could be possible by employing modern digging techniques. Just the place for a self-confessed thin-man like Alex!

 

[martinm]

I don't know why the OP chose to discuss this issue in a public forum when he is very aware that CNCC have the correct person on board to look into this. But I can assure you that CNCC is on the case.

I have been following this with interest, (given that I am a SSSI rep down in Derbyshire/Staffordshire), I think you should have  taken on board what Glenn said. (See above.) CNCC have Andrew Hinde from Natural England on board. I am sure that CNCC/NE will do their best to sort this problem out, so why not leave them to it, eh?  I am sure that they will let you know of any progress... and it will be for the best interests of the SSSI and the cave and therefore cavers who wish to visit this cave...

 

[NigR]

So what have Natural England and CNCC actually done?  I don't remember any discussion at CNCC and can't find any reference to Fairy Holes in CNCC minutes.

I am sure that CNCC/NE will do their best to sort this problem out, so why not leave them to it, eh?  I am sure that they will let you know of any progress...

If this is the case, why have they not already done so? In fact, why has the CNCC not been more transparent in its dealings with this issue from the outset? A brief mention on the official website or in Descent that negotiations were taking place along with some idea of the timescale involved and there would have been no need for this thread ever to have been started.

So come on, Glenn - now is the perfect opportunity to answer the question posed above by bog4053 and put everyone's minds at rest.

What has actually been done and why is it taking so long?

 

[Alex]

Aye thats what I said Nige but my only response was to join them to find out lol.

 

[NigR]

Hmmmm...............the silence is deafening.

Looks as though nobody from the CNCC is going to talk to us, Alex.

Wonder why?

 

[Glenn]

Hi Nig, which part of;

But I can assure you that CNCC is on the case.

are you strugling with? When there is something to report, it will be reported. And if Tony (bog4053) has a concern in the way CNCC is managing this, I suggest he either addresses it to the appropriate CNCC officer (volunteer) or brings it up at the next CNCC meeting.

 

[NigR]

Not struggling with any part of your initial statement, Glenn, just asking you to elaborate upon it.

So what have Natural England and CNCC actually done? I don't remember any discussion at CNCC and can't find any reference to Fairy Holes in CNCC minutes. What is going on and why are we not in there legitimately?

The one and only reference to Fairy Holes I have come across on the CNCC website is in the minutes of the AGM from June 2008 i.e. four full years ago!

I have already asked (perfectly reasonably given the timescale involved):

What has actually been done and why is it taking so long?

Yet you refuse to give me an answer.

So, Glenn, which part of these questions are you struggling with?

 

[graham]

What has actually been done and why is it taking so long?

I cannot speak for this particular case as I have had no involvement. However, I do know that these things do take time, sometimes many years. One of the reasons for this is that it can take that long to build a sufficiently trusting relationship with a landowner. This trust, as I say, can take years to build but can be broken very quickly when those cavers with a sense of entitlement insist on breaking the trust and start trespassing. The process then has to start all over again.

 

[Bob Smith]

Also, don't forget that the "needs" of the caving community are often a pretty low priority for a company. Can you imagine the conversation;

"Boss, the cavers are asking about the cave again, can I deal with it"

"what's in it for us"

"I don't know, a warm feeling of well being I suppose"

"how much profit is there in that?"

"erm, none"

"Ok, who's paying for your time?"

"well, you are I suppose..."

"Will you do it at home then?"

"er, there's my wife and children, and were going shopping tonight, besides I quite like my evenings."

"ok, piss off, you're not doing it on my time"

 

[graham]

s'not their "needs", Bob, 'tis their "rights". 

 

[Bob Smith]

Glenn, just a point to remember;

all your hard work and effort is very much like when you have a piss in your wetsuit. You get a warm feeling, but others may barely even notice.