Templeton Access

[Elaine]

It has been brought to our attention that the farmer and landowner of Templeton is not happy with the amount of people who keep using his private track to go up and visit the dig. He has asked before that visits are restricted to digging nights (Mondays or Wednesdays).  Please respect this access request. We have spent a lot of time and heaps of money on this dig and we don't want our access jeopardised.

If you want to come and have a look - let me or Hughie know and we will arrange to meet up with you - or meet you there. We will be happy to show you round. We have been digging there since the very beginning, so between us we should be able to answer any questions about the dig and its history.

 

[graham]

... so between us we should be able to answer any questions about the dig ...

When's it going to "go"?

 

[darkplaces]

Why hasn't it been gated yet?  :ras:

 

[graham]

Why hasn't it been gated yet?  :ras:

Perhaps it'll have to be if cavers keep annoying the landowner.

 

[busty_caver]

i presume when you say private track you mean the section of land going from the drove lane across the field to Templeton.  The drove itself does from the main Priddy road and is marked as foot path and then goes past the field with Tepleton in it before reaching a T junction  - to the right goes along fields before passing White Pit and endign up on the Deer Leap road.

Han

 

[Elaine]

When's it going to "go"?

Soon... oh yes, soon!

Why hasn't it been gated yet?   :ras:

It has been double fenced. Plenty of opportunities for your gas axe there!

i presume when you say private track you mean the section of land going from the drove lane across the field to Templeton.  The drove itself does from the main Priddy road and is marked as foot path and then goes past the field with Tepleton in it before reaching a T junction  - to the right goes along fields before passing White Pit and endign up on the Deer Leap road.

Han

Yes, you are quite right, the track is marked as a footpath, but it is not a right of way for vehicles. I am just passing on what the farmer has said. His house is at the beginning of the track and he notices who drives in and out. Obviously we want to keep him happy.   

 

[Peter Burgess]

Who are these cavers who can't get out of their cars and walk?

 

[busty_caver]

what lazy people driving up the track.  I have often walked up past the templeton field and on passed White Pit as a way of exercising between 2.30pm and 6pm when the Hunters is closed - that way i can spend the afteroon in the Vic. 

So long as walking up the track is ok thats cool.

Han

 

[cap n chris]

Forgive my mild cynicism but is this an(other) example of cavers cocking up access to a (as yet undiscovered!) cave by upsetting the landowner?

It would be quite an embarrassment to lose access to something which hasn't been found yet.

 

[darkplaces]

Well maybe not YET, hence the post, so now we all know we will be good and do as asked 

 

[cap n chris]

Assuming it "goes", how will the farmer be kept happy once hordes of cavers want to go all touristy? Will it be open to commercial caving groups? ?5 in the box to do Templejingling Pot?

 

[Elaine]

He did say at the beginning that if and when the dig went, he wanted visitors to walk there, and not drive up the track. Maybe a goodwill fee might win him round.

 

[whitelackington]

How many species of (dead) animals have been found?

 

[cap n chris]

How many living animals have been found down there?; of what species?; ... and what were their names, paw sizes, colour, gender, state of agitation and general demeanor?

 

[Andy Sparrow]

I know the landowner has been concerned for many years to preserve the footpath only status of the track and possibly fears that uncontrolled and increased vehicular access could threaten this status quo.  It is worth noting that the track that ajoins the far end of the field, Dursdon Drove, is a Byway and has full vehicular rights but this is probably academic unless you own an off-road 4x4.

 

[Elaine]

I was under the impression that you would need more than an ordinary 4x4 to attempt Dursdon Drove! We did consider it when the road was closed for Priddy Fair, but was told it was full of really deep holes.

As regards the Templeton fauna, we have many frogs and toads - and always have done. They range from very small (just grown out of the tadpole stage) to adult. We also have newts, beetles, worms, slugs, and the occasional dead rabbit and dead rat. The bigger things tend to be dead rotting and smelly by the time we find them. The frogs and toads die of old age or boredom and bloat up like a blown up rubber glove with their little leggies poking out.

 

[Les W]

I drove along Durston Drove a few years ago in a Daihatsu F20 with road tyres 
It was touch and go though, if I had stopped I would still be there now

 

[cap n chris]

Was that the same Daihatsu which couldn't quite make it out of WCC HQ, due to the puddle, gravel and flecks of mud?

 

[whitelackington]

How many species of (dead) animals have been found?

Am I right in imagining that some parts of ice age animals have been found

 

[graham]

How many species of (dead) animals have been found?

Am I right in imagining that some parts of ice age animals have been found

That is so, yes.