richardg
Active member
I hope this is useful .
I have fond memories of Leslie.
These are recollections from about 40 years ago.
At the time I was working at an outdoor activities center in Castleton and a team of builders were doing some work there, a couple of the guys were keen to come and join me on a cave project, mentioning that his grandfather would take him caving when he was a youngster..
I had no idea who his grandad was untill I began to research the old British Speleological Association newsletters which describe the earliest explorations of the caves of what was then referred to as the "Peak Fault" the line of swallet caves between Sparrowpit and MamTor.
Leslie was one of the nucleus of explorers of his generation, the 1940's and the period extending into the decades at either side.
His grandson gave me his home telephone number and My friend Keith Bentham and I arranged to go and visit him.
We arrived in Bamford, a row of bungalows, he came out to meet us, saying he knew it was us as we looked like Cavers, the kindred spirit remained despite the years of passing.
Over the comming weeks and months we would share many tales, he and Les Salmon and a couple of other explorers whose names I can't readily recall would push the Castleton caves and retire to the Wanted Inn, where they would warm themselves by the fire and sing songs, caving songs which Leslie would write himself, these were an oral recounting of their daring escapades.
Leslie said he was the academic one, he took the photographs, he was also the only one with a beard which he said was very unusual / distinguishable for that period.
His photos were excellent with excellent tone.
I was surprised to learn that Gautries Hole was only entered after sustained digging, and even in those days they had access to explosives which they used on their projects.
If anyone has the opportunity to look at the old BSA records and read the descriptions and maps of the individual caves, the attention to detail by Leslie and his exploration buddies was exceptional
Leslie retained some of his caving papers but the large bulk of it he had given to PB Smith of the TSG....
I have fond memories of Leslie.
These are recollections from about 40 years ago.
At the time I was working at an outdoor activities center in Castleton and a team of builders were doing some work there, a couple of the guys were keen to come and join me on a cave project, mentioning that his grandfather would take him caving when he was a youngster..
I had no idea who his grandad was untill I began to research the old British Speleological Association newsletters which describe the earliest explorations of the caves of what was then referred to as the "Peak Fault" the line of swallet caves between Sparrowpit and MamTor.
Leslie was one of the nucleus of explorers of his generation, the 1940's and the period extending into the decades at either side.
His grandson gave me his home telephone number and My friend Keith Bentham and I arranged to go and visit him.
We arrived in Bamford, a row of bungalows, he came out to meet us, saying he knew it was us as we looked like Cavers, the kindred spirit remained despite the years of passing.
Over the comming weeks and months we would share many tales, he and Les Salmon and a couple of other explorers whose names I can't readily recall would push the Castleton caves and retire to the Wanted Inn, where they would warm themselves by the fire and sing songs, caving songs which Leslie would write himself, these were an oral recounting of their daring escapades.
Leslie said he was the academic one, he took the photographs, he was also the only one with a beard which he said was very unusual / distinguishable for that period.
His photos were excellent with excellent tone.
I was surprised to learn that Gautries Hole was only entered after sustained digging, and even in those days they had access to explosives which they used on their projects.
If anyone has the opportunity to look at the old BSA records and read the descriptions and maps of the individual caves, the attention to detail by Leslie and his exploration buddies was exceptional
Leslie retained some of his caving papers but the large bulk of it he had given to PB Smith of the TSG....
