Peak graffiti

[Pitlamp]

Peak District: Anger at Robin Hood's Cave graffiti

A team of five people had to climb Stanage Edge to clean up the vandalism.

www.bbc.co.uk

Off the limestone, but out of interest, was DCA consulted by the PDNA?

 

[pwhole]

No. Suicide Cave in Winnats Pass is currently plastered with spray paint graffiti too - I can't face cleaning it off again, it took us a few hours last time. Big fluorescent green tag in Cave Dale too that's been there over a year now. But as that's open air, the 'Duchy wardens' can deal with it

 

[pwhole]

 

[oldcaver]

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What a disgusting mess. Suicide Cave was the the first cave I went into with just a torch and climbing helmet. This cave got me into caving, in 1971, and never looked back. It's not as easy now though.

 

[Space Doubt Caver]

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When i see sh*t like this i understand the reason most caves end up locked with access issues,

 

[pwhole]

The last time I suggested, even mildly, that the cave be gated on a Derbyshire Key system (there is another, easy crawl entrance), I was shot down in flames - though that was before this happened. Never mind the cave being used as an open toilet by all and sundry. The landowner, the National Trust are now considering a gate, which is progress of sorts, I guess. My first suggestion was a two-foot thick reinforced wall, like Wapping. My favourite option would be to unblock the top entrance (higher up the hill), at the same time, and put a grille on it, and then cavers could actually do a through-trip. Unlikely though, but from experience, the Dark Peak office are certainly a positive bunch, and are very interested in this aspect of their land.

 

[FabianE]

The last time I suggested, even mildly, that the cave be gated on a Derbyshire Key system (there is another, easy crawl entrance), I was shot down in flames - though that was before this happened. Never mind the cave being used as an open toilet by all and sundry. The landowner, the National Trust are now considering a gate, which is progress of sorts, I guess. My first suggestion was a two-foot thick reinforced wall, like Wapping. My favourite option would be to unblock the top entrance (higher up the hill), at the same time, and put a grille on it, and then cavers could actually do a through-trip. Unlikely though, but from experience, the Dark Peak office are certainly a positive bunch, and are very interested in this aspect of their land.

Ohhhh a suicide trip round trip sounds amazing

 

[RobinGriffiths]

but from experience, the Dark Peak office are certainly a positive bunch

Sounds like the Administration Department for Mordor.

 

[pwhole]

Me and Victoria went in last night (the DCA Scrubber Team) to make some headway on the current batch - she's already done one session, and needed some help. We used a pressure-washer, which was marvellous on the silver/grey paint (see ya later Gaz!), but didn't it make a dent on the red or green, without extensive and vigorous scrubbing with a wire brush first. Thanks Jamal! Thanks Eloise! Sadly we ran out of water long before we ran out of graffiti, but some has gone completely, and much has half-gone. We'll have another session at some point, but if anyone else fancies a crack, be our guest. The NT are aware, and eventually this (repetitive) situation will hopefully improve!

 

[ChrisB]

Since the original surface is already disturbed, would it be worth (after cleaning) to apply a coating that would make subsequent re-cleaning easier? Either a 'varnish' or something less permanent like a clear water soluble gel (sugar solution?)

 

[pwhole]

I suspect that might be a step too far for the SSSI police, given where it is and what it is. Unless there is something that could be classed as non-invasive. To be honest there's a lot of graffiti scratched on the walls and roof as well as painted, and none of it is what you might call historically valuable. To be honest, I would have expected more vintage graffiti in there overall, but there doesn't seem to be any - or if there is, it's further into the cave.