• The Derbyshire Caver, No. 158

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Quick question (I hope) re the dry way into Notts II

Pitlamp

Well-known member
I'm just trying to check names re Leck Fell.

Committee Pot, also known is Pirate Pot, was dug variously by NPC and RR members before the discovery of the Notts II streamway. (It's in the guide book from before Notts II was found.)

Colin Davis then started digging in a separate spot, uncovering a draught and an ancient kiln.
This new dig was therefore named "The Iron Kiln" and was subsequently connected with Notts II. It remains the usual entrance by cavers for trips into Notts II without diving and this is the main name given to it in the new Northern Caves Volume 3 guide. (Obviously other ways in have been found since the original dry way into Notts II.)

Have I got the right end of the stick with the above?

Thanks.
 

mikem

Well-known member
According to this, original committee pot was at top of masongill lane:

The diggers had given it same name:
 

mikem

Well-known member
Only pirate pot is listed in 1974 and 1983 Northern caves (I don't have 1990s book). Current volume says pirate was "filled in with material from committee pot which itself was filled in with material from the iron kiln." Latter two "were synonymous in terms of use of names." Committee is given as an alternative for both in book, so was a bit complicated (but was it also a separate attempt?)

John gillett suggests it was called iron kiln long before the breakthrough:
 
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mikem

Well-known member
Just to finish it off the Feb / March 2001 report in Descent went under the title of "Please don't pirate". (But does look as though pirate wasn't actually known as committee):
 

Pitlamp

Well-known member

Thanks - given your track record of getting names right, I'll take that as definitive!

(And thanks Mike; I'm familiar with most of those sources and, as you indicate, there are anomalies. That's why I checked on here.)

I'm sorted now, for what I wanted to know.
 

mikem

Well-known member
I think it's worth getting links to main sources in one place (although obviously they change over time)
 
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