Ogof Gofan

[Stuart France]

I attended the annual Range Meeting at the end of 2015 which is public meeting between the landowners (an MOD agency) and the public including representatives of recreational users:  caving, fishing, climbing etc.  This went well from out point of view with a commitment to continue the present cave access systems here.

Since then we've set up a conservation project to do some bat research in the cave, and the like, to run during 2016.  I've recently taken army and national park personnel into the cave so they know now firsthand what it is all about.  This also went down well.

Just a reminder to everyone please of the system for arranging a visit into Ogof Gofan on Range East at Castlemartin.  Just send me an email via the address on the Cambrian Caving Council website and I will pass your request to the ranger who will authorise it by email assuming the cave is not double booked and there are no concurrent military activities.  You'll also receive a Grade 5 survey of the cave courtesy of John Stevens and some notes on cave conservation and access, including where to park and how to find it.  Please give a couple of weeks notice if you can in case anyone involved in the permit process is not immediately available.

You don't need to attend the "Range Briefing" sessions simply to visit Ogof Gofan as those briefings only cover the extra safety precautions needed to enter the coastal margin of Range West where explosive rounds are fired.

Stuart France
Cambrian Caving Council
Access-Conservation Officer

 

[rhychydwr1]

I nicked the following description:

From the main entrance, a very tight excavated crawl excludes all but the smaller caver.  This leads to a well decorated passage and then a magnificent chamber some 50 feet by 30 feet with a great hollow in the centre surrounded by stalagmites.  Formed in a pool at the bottom are four huge specimens, one a column 14 feet to the ceiling.  The others are 10 feet, 8 feet, and 6 feet respectively.  Another 5 feet of the largest is submerged in the pool.  A further 150 feet of well decorated passage leads off.

The finds include Neolithic Peterborough ware pottery, worked flints and animal bones, possibly some Upper Palaeolithic remains.

How did Neolithic Peterborough Man get to live in this cave?

 

[bograt]

Appears some pics would be nice --- anyone???---

 

[traff]

Just some snaps on a compact, nothing fancy, taken a few years ago. These really don't do the place justice.

​

 

[traff]

And some more.

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No comments about the rope rub please......

 

[bograt]

Thanks Traff, some impressive formations in there 

 

[JasonC]

Seconded  - thanks !
And the entrance pitch looks interesting too...

 

[todcaver]

I'm going to get down there handy before you come up with any more Suggestions for the arse holes -  I dunno , birth certificate stuck to forehead  -
What if you don't drive , and don't have a passport = no entry to a cave that I own just as much as anyone else !       

 

[Les W]

I'm going to get down there handy before you come up with any more Suggestions for the arse holes -  I dunno , birth certificate stuck to forehead  -
What if you don't drive , and don't have a passport = no entry to a cave that I own just as much as anyone else !     

I think you need to re-read the agreements above. No ID is needed to access Ogof Gofan, just apply for a permit to the CCC Access Officer who will deal with your request.

Photo ID is only required if you attend the Range briefing sessions which give access to Range West for prospecting for new caves. The ID is to allow MOD personnel to ascertain that you have been on the briefing and are permitted onto this live firing military range.

Stuart, thanks for sorting this out. We went to Ogof Gofan over Easter and it was superb, a real gem.

 

[Stuart France]

I've been the Range Meeting (AGM) a week or two ago.  Landowner is happy with the way things are working out for Ogof Gofan, which is on Range East, so the same access system will operate through 2017, which is basically that your trip needs to be booked through me in advance so we don't get a load of different groups turning up all at once by chance.  Size limit 4 people per group.  Clean gear please.

Stuart France

 

[mikem]

Hmm

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Well, its not a bad video. Lets hope that it wont encourage hordes of urban explorers to descend upon the cave..................

 

[mikem]

Fortunately, having been there, it doesn't really help identify the point on cliff

 

[mikem]

Location Unknown UK

''𝗢𝗚𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗢𝗙𝗔𝗡'' Tucked beneath the steep cliffs of Saddle Head on the Pembrokeshire Coast in South Wales is a sea cave that can only be described as a hidden gem of otherworldly geology. Reaching...

www.facebook.com

 

[mrodoc]

Calling it a sea cave is a bit of a misnomer as it certainly wasn't formed by the sea. It is hard to find even when you've been there as I found last year!

 

[Stuart France]

I've just attended another Castlemartin Tank Firing Range AGM for recreational users. There is an update on cave access over the upcoming Christmas New Year and the first few months of next year, i.e. when the isn't any firing practice going on and so recreational pre-booked cavers can come and go every day of the week. See:

http://www.cambriancavingcouncil.org.uk/pdf/StGofansAccess2025.pdf

The landower (MOD) is very happy with the way St Gofans access has been working out in practice and so the present arrangements remain unchanged for 2025. However, there is going to be more tank firing (and small arms too as they train with all sizes of live ammo) in 2025 for the obvious but unstated reason, with occasional blocks of about 3 weeks when there will be no mid-week access whatever because the exercises are 24-hour. The intention is to try to keep recreational access open on all weekends and all days of the week during the summer school holidays.

Please respect these arrangements and pre-book the cave for a day's exclusive use by your group through me. Bear in mind the MOD staff have families and want to celebrate Christmas too, so please book as early as possible as they may not be in the office to issue you with a range permit once the festivities get underway. That doesn't mean their security people vanish too!