Team: Chris Fox, Ralf Guscott, James Parker and his brother David
All four of us met at How Stean Gorge café. It was great to see our new Black Sheep member James again plus his brother on a visit. We hatched a plan:-
Take digging gear into the Planetarium, New Goyden
James and David to go look around the cave…..
Ralf and Chris to go cut scaffold pipes and take them into the dig
To then construct a scaffold ‘tray’ and fix it on the end of the long scaff
Carefully push the tray up against the large hanging slab
Chris to then drill the slab on which the chockstone is standing on
To carefully remove the scaffold and retreat back along the passage
Demolish the slab and hope it brings the lot down
Remove what boulders we can
Easy trip through to the Planetarium, David was impressed with the size of the cave. James and David went off to explore the downstream sump area and Hardy Pools passage while Chris and Ralf went into Astronomer’s passage. In difficult conditions the scaff tray was made and attached to the end of the long pole. Once placed against the underside of the hanging slab Chris felt it was doing its job well and free to drill the lower slab while Ralf ensured the end of the long scaff was held against the floor. Carefully they lowered the scaff tray checking nothing moved and dismantled it. By this time James and David were back from their tourist trip and ready to help.
The smaller slab holding the chockstone was demolished and a big rumble of boulders followed. Would there be more behind or an open shaft to look up? Crawling back into the dig there were several head size boulders on the floor. These were passed back and then tentatively Chris crawled forward to see that many rocks and the huge once a hanging slab were now perched on the slope leading to the choked shaft. It was then a case of good team work to haul out many boulders. This revealed a new open section of the shaft and still more choke a further 2-3m above. Good progress but no open shaft yet.
On the way out David (Archaeologist) was showing us small pieces of pottery he had been picking up out the river. Interesting to see and shows you how you only see what you are trained to see. Usual finish in the Crown Middlesmoor and nice to sit outside in the sun for a while until a rain shower came by.
All in all its great to have a new member to the team and with a team of four to make good progress yesterday on the dig.
Photo New Goyden main passage...Nick Bairstow