Peak Dale Cavern
- Thread starter ah147
- Start date
Bottlebank
New member
ah147 said:
Just asking out of curiosity - why not just ask Mr Bagshawe? What's it got to do with DCA?
We wouldn't dream of asking the CNCC for permission to dig in the Dales - it's nothing to do with them? We'd ask the farmer/landowner or both and then NE if necessary?
ah147
New member
Bottlebank said:
I've never started a dig before. I wouldn't know how to start or even if I'd thought of everything before going to ask Mr Bagshawe. I'd hate for him to ask me a question I didn't know where to look for an answer.
DCA has the experience to help and knows what questions are likely to be asked.
Bottlebank
New member
ah147 said:
All you really need is his permission - best advice would be find a local digger who knows him and is willing to approach him - hopefully someone will. There's plenty of experienced diggers in the area.
Pitlamp
Well-known member
Bottlebank said:
I agree with you Bottlebank, in general. But to try to answer your question above - DCA has an exemplary record of helping cavers in all aspects of project planning. DCA provides easy access (for someone not really "in the know") to a large number of extremely switched on people with a great deal of collective knowledge, who are also (in my own experience) most helpful.
I could say exactly the same about the CNCC; I've certainly been very grateful for the superb work that various officers have done for me over the years, when I've asked for help in various ways.
Our regional councils do a really good job and can often succeed where individuals' efforts to negotiate with landowners have led nowhere. It would be unwise to discount what they can offer (not that I'm suggesting for a minute that you would do Bottlebank; I merely make the point in case it helps others who are less experienced than you).
Rob
Well-known member
If there are no obvious entrance features remaining at the surface, there's no point doing anything (especially bothering the landowner) without having a very accurate GPS pinpoint for the entrance.
The example of Boulder Pot was only possible because Ron Hammond (i think) did a very high accuracy plot of the area prior to the landscaping....
The example of Boulder Pot was only possible because Ron Hammond (i think) did a very high accuracy plot of the area prior to the landscaping....
bograt
Active member
DCA's most useful role in this is likely to be negotiating access and permission for someone else to take on the work.
Unfortunately Ewan, the Access Officer is currently working overseas for a few weeks.
Pete Knight, the Projects Officer, has a massive 'jobs to do' list for DCA, and it would be unfair to ask him to take on more.
For advice on negotiating with landowners, Pete Mellors, the Legal and Insurance Officer has vast experience;
http://www.thedca.org.uk/
For contact information.
If only seeking advice and information, a full council meeting is not necessary, this is why we try to have a specialised officer to cover all eventualities.
P.S. Just noticed post crossed with Rob, anyone know if Dave Gill is contactable? (or any of the original team?)
Unfortunately Ewan, the Access Officer is currently working overseas for a few weeks.
Pete Knight, the Projects Officer, has a massive 'jobs to do' list for DCA, and it would be unfair to ask him to take on more.
For advice on negotiating with landowners, Pete Mellors, the Legal and Insurance Officer has vast experience;
http://www.thedca.org.uk/
For contact information.
If only seeking advice and information, a full council meeting is not necessary, this is why we try to have a specialised officer to cover all eventualities.
P.S. Just noticed post crossed with Rob, anyone know if Dave Gill is contactable? (or any of the original team?)
martinm
New member
You'd need a much more accurate NGR than SK090770 if you were to find it again. A 6-figure map reference will only give you a location to within 100 m. An 8-figure reference would identify a 10-metre square, and a 10-digit reference a 1-metre square.
It took a lot of effort to relocate Boulder Pot. I had a look myself some years ago and I knew roughly where it was having been down it before, but I think they had to dig down for 6m or so before relocating it properly due to 'landscaping', then installed the plastic pipe and put a lid over it.
It has already been extended by the OCC since, good luck to them! It has the potential to connect with Critchlow, though I wouldn't be attempting the through trip! Ugh, hours and hours of crawling... no thanks!
It took a lot of effort to relocate Boulder Pot. I had a look myself some years ago and I knew roughly where it was having been down it before, but I think they had to dig down for 6m or so before relocating it properly due to 'landscaping', then installed the plastic pipe and put a lid over it.
It has already been extended by the OCC since, good luck to them! It has the potential to connect with Critchlow, though I wouldn't be attempting the through trip! Ugh, hours and hours of crawling... no thanks!
bograt
Active member
A brief history of Peak Dale Cave;
C.O.D 1964 states 'fine grotto which has been largely destroyed in abortive attempts to push further'.
C.O.D. 1974 adds 'Now completely buried by landscaping".
Only reference there is to D.W. Gill, 1973 D.C.A N/L No.17.
I can supply scans if folks would really want me to go to the effort---.
I honestly question whether its worth the effort to go for it, finding, getting permission for, and digging out a 'spoiled grotto', buried for over 40 years, and only 90ft of cave;---
-- At least without more detailed research, maybe into clubs logbooks? (Eldon maybe?)
C.O.D 1964 states 'fine grotto which has been largely destroyed in abortive attempts to push further'.
C.O.D. 1974 adds 'Now completely buried by landscaping".
Only reference there is to D.W. Gill, 1973 D.C.A N/L No.17.
I can supply scans if folks would really want me to go to the effort---.
I honestly question whether its worth the effort to go for it, finding, getting permission for, and digging out a 'spoiled grotto', buried for over 40 years, and only 90ft of cave;---
-- At least without more detailed research, maybe into clubs logbooks? (Eldon maybe?)
Pitlamp
Well-known member
There are other references, which suggest that things are more hopeful.
The sump was dived on 30th October 1966 by Oliver Lloyd. It was subsequently dived on 17th November 1970 by James Cobbett. The best ref for this is CDG NL 18 (Jan 1970) page 10.
Cobbett was quite upbeat about the prospects:
"I hope to return here with a pump or to do some underwater digging - the sump might go."
Maybe it is worth some effort to re-enter?
The sump was dived on 30th October 1966 by Oliver Lloyd. It was subsequently dived on 17th November 1970 by James Cobbett. The best ref for this is CDG NL 18 (Jan 1970) page 10.
Cobbett was quite upbeat about the prospects:
"I hope to return here with a pump or to do some underwater digging - the sump might go."
Maybe it is worth some effort to re-enter?
Bottlebank
New member
Rob said:
Still worth asking the farmer/landowner - of all people he's possibly the one who may know where it is, depending on how long he's been around.
Bottlebank
New member
Rob said:
Farmers often know their own land a little better than the OS. It's been filled in for a long time, it depends how long he's been there.
