Easter 1971 - I was just 16. I was with "Worm" (Keith Worzencroft) and John Boden from the Eldon & BSG. We were denied access via Giants by Watson, so went in and out via Oxlow. it took us 16 hours - but then we took gear for geology pot with us. Yes it was snug, yes it was with plenty of water towards the Giants end, but I have had worse in my life. 3 years later, I was through again, now a student in Manchester, discovered beer and 2 stone heavier - only just fitted! Rob Kidd
who did giants/oxlow connection first?
- Thread starter mr conners
- Start date
Pitlamp
Well-known member
I've not studied every response in this topic - so I do apologise if someone's already mentioned the following:
"Derbyshire Caving Association, Sept.'66 Vol.No.5." pages 9-10 has a very useful article on this subject by Paul Deakin, together with a sketch plan of the area. It gives a long list of all the people who were involved in the "over 600 men hours" needed to bring this project to a conclusion.
(Note - I've quoted above what it says on the front cover verbatim - it doesn't say "DCA Newsletter" and it's not clear whether "5" is a "volume" OR a "number", so I'm not sure exactly how this publication should be properly referenced. However, no doubt it'll be available in the libraries of well established Peak District clubs.)
"Derbyshire Caving Association, Sept.'66 Vol.No.5." pages 9-10 has a very useful article on this subject by Paul Deakin, together with a sketch plan of the area. It gives a long list of all the people who were involved in the "over 600 men hours" needed to bring this project to a conclusion.
(Note - I've quoted above what it says on the front cover verbatim - it doesn't say "DCA Newsletter" and it's not clear whether "5" is a "volume" OR a "number", so I'm not sure exactly how this publication should be properly referenced. However, no doubt it'll be available in the libraries of well established Peak District clubs.)
Pitlamp's reference is to one of the 2nd. series of DCA Newsletters - these were actually printed, as opposed to duplicated. (Series 1 was duplicated, edited by Geoff Workman and went Vol. 1, No.1 - up to Vol. 1, no. 12.) Unfortunately the issue numbering of the 2nd. series was perhaps not all it should have been so this is actually issue number 5, Sept. 66. of the 2nd. series, which started again with volume 1. Nos. 1 to 5 were printed professionally and the editor was John Garrett but after editing 5 issues he gave up and the next issue, edited by P.Taylor, was duplicated and was undated (though produced in Dec. 1966) but was called No. 6.
The Paul Deakin 2-page article refers to the start of the digging on 3rd. April and then says: "The dig, which was a hundred feet long, was completed on the 22nd. May and the party (Deakin, Watt, More, Parkin and Bridger) passed through Oxlow to Giants." He also lists the cavers involved in the over 600 man-hours of work required to make the breakthrough. The Editor then adds a comment about possible difficulties with the farmers at Giants and Oxlow and says that any party wishing to make a through trip must gain permission from both farmers.
The Paul Deakin 2-page article refers to the start of the digging on 3rd. April and then says: "The dig, which was a hundred feet long, was completed on the 22nd. May and the party (Deakin, Watt, More, Parkin and Bridger) passed through Oxlow to Giants." He also lists the cavers involved in the over 600 man-hours of work required to make the breakthrough. The Editor then adds a comment about possible difficulties with the farmers at Giants and Oxlow and says that any party wishing to make a through trip must gain permission from both farmers.
OK, will do. I already have most of this info. because I had to sort them out and catalogue them for the British Caving Library. I also had a good deal of help in sorting them out and finding missing issues from Goon and Alan Speight. Only thing remaining to do is to list the various Editors starting from Geoff Workman in 1962.
Now 70 yo. but still here in Australia. Just found this in a fit of remenniscing
Yes, I did shake a hand with Henry Mares before the Giants Oxlow link was fully opened. I was on the hard end from Giants via chamber of Horrors digging from that end!.
And, Yes I was second though after Henry on the first connection. Clive is still on the ball as he always was.
Cheers Al Watt
Yes, I did shake a hand with Henry Mares before the Giants Oxlow link was fully opened. I was on the hard end from Giants via chamber of Horrors digging from that end!.
And, Yes I was second though after Henry on the first connection. Clive is still on the ball as he always was.
Cheers Al Watt
Come to think of it our Editor, Mike Higgins, is compiling an index of all the DCA Newsletter, right from the very first one. There are 3 series in all:
Series 1 was duplicated, edited by Geoff Workman and went Vol. 1, No.1 - Vol. 1, no. 12. Feb. '62 - Dec. '63.
Series 2 was printed, edited by John Garrett for Nos. 1 to 5 and then a duplicated issue, edited by by P.Taylor and called No. 6. May '65 - Dec. '66.
Series 3 is still going and is now up to No. 140, going through a number of editors. No.1, Aug. '68 ..... No. 140, Spring 2016 ....
I guess when Mike's index is complete the editors will all be listed.
Series 1 was duplicated, edited by Geoff Workman and went Vol. 1, No.1 - Vol. 1, no. 12. Feb. '62 - Dec. '63.
Series 2 was printed, edited by John Garrett for Nos. 1 to 5 and then a duplicated issue, edited by by P.Taylor and called No. 6. May '65 - Dec. '66.
Series 3 is still going and is now up to No. 140, going through a number of editors. No.1, Aug. '68 ..... No. 140, Spring 2016 ....
I guess when Mike's index is complete the editors will all be listed.
