Vallis Quarry Cave (Cheese Cave)

[KevinR]

I wandered into Vallis Vale over the Xmas period and noticed that a (very well made) gate has been fixed over Cheese Cave, with a padlock. Does anyone know anything about this? (at first glance it didn't look like a CSCC lock).

Despite being born and growing up in Frome I have never actually been in this cave (and I was one of the founding members of Frome Caving Group!)

Just wondered who controlled access as nothing on the the CSCC cave access database.

KevinR

 

[Sid]

A photo of the new gate.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mendipcaveregistryarchive/11911778813/#in/set-72157624981428929

 

[graham]

A photo of the new gate.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mendipcaveregistryarchive/11911778813/#in/set-72157624981428929

That looks like a bat grill, you can tell by the horizontal slots.

 

[exsumper]

There appears to have been an attack of gating mania on East Mendip in recent years, any idea what's behind it??

 

[Bob Smith]

I would hazard a guess a there being a dirty great hole behind Alex.  :tease:

 

[graham]

Depends which way Alex is facing,  Bob.

 

[Bob Smith]

Dammit! Behind it Alex. Damn phone keyboards can make me look like a right aunt sometimes.

 

[exsumper]

Speaking of a**eholes: Hi Bob.

That's a rather personal comment.  You'd have to ask my doctor as to the relative size of mine? Or have you got that webcam (in the guise of a weather station) you installed above the belfry showers going again? 

Jake and I are starting Barrow Rake again on friday. If you fancy a pint in the hunters at lunchtime?

 

[graham]

Barrow rake.  Have you still got MMT'S vacuum cleaner in there?

 

[exsumper]

.surprisingly its still there. Whether it still works is another matter.
A caving relic! Would the UBSS museum be interested ?

 

[graham]

I'll ask the curator ...

 

[exsumper]

  Would be interesting to know if it was the first recorded use of a vacuum cleaner to remove co2 From a cave dig? Can't remember the date of the piece we put in descent, must have been early nineties.

 

[graham]

Yep, I reckon early nineties.

 

[Pipster]

I think The Orpheus also used a vacuum cleaner in the same situation around that time - Paul or cavefinder may have better knowledge on the dates.

 

[Bob Smith]

  Would be interesting to know if it was the first recorded use of a vacuum cleaner to remove co2 From a cave dig? Can't remember the date of the piece we put in descent, must have been early nineties.

I remember it also being used to force quantities of H2S and CH4 into the dig face.  :yucky:

 

[paul]

I think The Orpheus also used a vacuum cleaner in the same situation around that time - Paul or cavefinder may have better knowledge on the dates.

Yes, that particular vacuum cleaner is still in the hut. I'm afraid the year it was first used as a dig ventilator (the only thing a vacuum cleaner found in the hut would be used) was before my time with the Orpheus.

 

[estelle]

  Would be interesting to know if it was the first recorded use of a vacuum cleaner to remove co2 From a cave dig? Can't remember the date of the piece we put in descent, must have been early nineties.

I'll check my logbook for the exact date later, but the photo i sent to Descent was after persuading Panasonic to donate us a vacuum cleaner for Barrow Rake (as it was such an unusual use and they used the photo themselves for publicity) was when i was working for a company who was a Panasonic Service Centre which puts it back to about 1992/3 i think before i changed trade!

 

[Sid]

From Natural England

Vallis Vale Site of Special Scientific Interest, while predominantly of geological interest is also designated as a Special Area of Conservation for bats in this case Greater Horseshoe Bat.
In the past when the cave entrance was open, NE and the cave?s owner were aware that there was frequent unauthorized access by visitors to the quarry, many of whom were children and young adults.  This was considered to be a threat to the bats and a risk to those entering the cave without appropriate protective clothing.
It was agreed that the cave entrance would be gated so that casual access to cave could be prevented and any visits to the cave could be timed to prevent disturbance to hibernating bats.
It is not the intention to close the cave completely and visits to monitor the bats or by bona-fide cavers should remain possible.

 

[KevinR]

Interesting, I agree with the principles, but who keeps the key? Natural England?

 

[Sid]

I am in contact with Hanson and will advise on access arrangements when i have them.