In answer to the question about the status of the dig.
The attitude of the digging team is 'open to all', no restrictions etc etc. However if anyone who hasn't been involved wanted to do the through trip it might be courteous to wait a couple of weeks to allow those that have to get their trip in.
A word of warning though. This is a desperately horrible and dangerous choke. The route through has taken two years to complete and is around 140m long. I have personally been trapped in a collapse under a boulder the size of a piano and I have pulled someone else out of a similar situation. Two other diggers have suffered head injuries from falling rock. The worst stuff is scaffolded and much of the Notts side cemented up too. Due to the longer trip involved the Lost Johns side has less protection. Although there is only one route through there are several 'dead ends' that are unsafe. For example; if you follow the bang wire on the Lyle side you'll end up in the 1980's 90's dig - not a good place. Further in, most of the scaffold was reclaimed from a dead end leaving it in a dangerous condition. All in all it is never wise to kick or thrash around in such a place and everyone needs to be very considerate as to what they push or pull on. It is also disgustingly filthy, has a couple of quite tight bits and is energetic especially with a bag. Sorry it's not nicer but there was no choice.
If you are feint of heart or uncomfortable in dodgy chokes please do another trip. Anyone who does go down will be amazed at the tenacity and determination of the diggers - or perhaps just reflect on how crazy cavers are!!