A cavers' car was parked on Sunday afternoon (9th. Oct.), in the Waterways car park area because Boyd, of OCC, went over to do some maintenance work and strimmed the parking area but had to strim round the parked car. No idea who was down the cave but Boyd says, from the clothes left in the parked car, it must have been cavers down there.
Note that the gate to the car park needs replacing so Boyd is going to source another 2nd. hand gate to replace the existing one, which is definitely past its use-by date as it's almost completely disintegrated. It will still require only a cord to hold it shut - so still available for cavers to park there.
Disappointing to hear the paint vandals have been at it again - it's usually Jug Holes which attracts their efforts. Maybe they are unable to find their way in caves unless they mark big crosses to tell them which way is out - they could try string instead as that wouldn't leave any residue.
Agree with your sentiments about their probable ancestry.