Welcome We have received word from the Secretary of CCC Ltd that following the unauthorised bolting of the Right Hand Route, Rhino Rift will be closed for the weekend of the 19/20th June for remedial bolt removal and rebolting of the Right Hand Route.

news access rhino_rift ccc_ltd Rhino Rift Closed Sat/Sun 19/20th June We have received word from the Secretary of CCC Ltd that following the unauthorised bolting of the Right Hand Route, Rhino Rift will be closed for the weekend of the 19/20th June for remedial bolt removal and rebolting of the Right Hand Route.

news access thrupe_lane_swallet Thrupe Lane Swallet to receive CSCC Padlock Following requests from concerned local residents who have young children, a CSCC padlock will be fitted to the entrance gate of Thrupe Lane Swallet. This will be fitted during the week commencing 14th June.

news access rhino_rift ccc_ltd Unauthorised Bolting of Rhino Right Hand Route From Charterhouse Caving Company Ltd - 19th May 2021 Dear Club Reps At some point during the past six months, persons unknown have made an unauthorised attempt to rebolt the Rhino Rift Right-Hand Route.

news access gb_cave ccc_ltd WARNING - Rockfall in G.B. Cave - Update From Charterhouse Caving Company Ltd - 7th Apr 2021 ROCKFALL IN THE AREA OF THE WATERFALL CLIMB, GB CAVERN Following the rockfall notified and publicised in early February, a further inspection trip was scheduled for 6 April, following the relaxation of covid restrictions. On 5th April, a report was received of a further fall. The inspection trip comprised Linda Wilson (Conservation Officer), Dave King and Graham Price (CCC…

news covid Coronavirus Recovery Roadmap: Stage 1 Dear Southern Cavers, It is with some relief that as from Monday 29th March that the national “stay at home” rule will end, and the long path to a return to something like normality can begin. This means that it is no longer illegal to leave home without a valid excuse, though the government asks that we all minimise the number of journeys we make. From Monday 29th it is also permitted for up to 6 people, or two households, to meet outdoors and…

news access star_mine_shaft Star Mine Shaft - Entrance Vandalised It has been reported that the P-hangers in the concrete capping have been vandalised. They should be considered unsafe and must not be used. The shaft should be rigged using natural belays such as nearby trees (approx 10m away). If anyone has any information about who caused the damage please let us know. In view of the vandalism there are no immediate plans to replace the hangers.

news access cheddar_gorge longleat Access to Caves in Cheddar Gorge Further to the decision by Longleat to close the show caves and suspend their operations in Cheddar, they have notified CSCC that with immediate effect caver access to all caves on Longleat property which includes the whole south side of the Gorge, is no longer available. This includes all caves and digs, and affects sites such as Reservoir Hole, Spider Hole, Goughs Cave, Long Hole, Great Oones etc.

event Annual J’Rat Digging Awards Owing to COVID19, there will not be an event held in the Hunters for 2020 for the presentation of the Silver Shovel for Mendip and Scotland finds, but we don’t want the finds since 1st November 2019 to 31st October 2020 to go unrewarded and unnoticed!

news covid mcr CSCC and MCR: Joint Statement on Coronavirus Lockdown Mark 2 Dear Southern Cavers, As most all of you will be aware, the government announced on Saturday that new lockdown measures will be introduced from Thursday 5th November in an attempt to control the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. The details of these measures can be found at

news covid Coronavirus Lockdown Mark 3 Dear Southern Cavers, As all of you are now no doubt aware the UK is now in the throws of the third national lockdown and this places severe restrictions on our hobby. I would draw your attention to the statement made by the CNCC a few days ago (reproduced below), which provides some excellent advice and is applicable down south as it is up north. The CNCC advice reads;

news access gb_cave ccc_ltd WARNING - Rockfall in G.B. Cave From Charterhouse Caving Company Ltd - 2nd Feb 2021 I have received a report of a substantial rockfall in G.B. I am told that “In the region of 5-10 tons of sand, gravel and rock has slipped out of the left hand wall, just below the waterfall. There is a significant amount that has been undercut, but is still hanging high above the climb down. This appears to be very recent, given that the sand has not washed away yet and there wa…

news access gb_cave ccc_ltd WARNING - Rockfall in G.B. Cave - Update From Charterhouse Caving Company Ltd - 8th Feb 2021 The site of the reported rockfall in GB near the waterfall climb in Main Chamber has been checked. There has been a recent fall of mud, gravel and smallish boulders on the left (when viewed facing downstream) of the waterfall climb, near the bottom. The wall above the last part of the climb (the big steps) appears as it did before, but should be considered loose due to th…

news covid Message from Chairman re Coronavirus Dear Southern Cavers, Well it looks like there may be light at the end of the lockdown tunnel as the vaccination programme proceeds at pace and warmer weather is on the way. I know we have all been frustrated with most of us stranded above ground for the best part of a year, but I am sure we can look forward to greater flexibility to get underground in the not too far distant future.

news access hunters_lodge_inn_sink Hunters Lodge Inn Sink Open Following the fitting of the new gate and the removal of the entrance ladder, I can report that the Land Owner (Roger Dors) has reopened the cave. For access contact Roger at the Hunters. Please note: Now the entrance ladder has been removed you will need to bring your own ladder and lifeline (or SRT rope) for the entrance pitch. There are integrated rigging points fitted to the underside of the gate for this purpose.

News This page contains a list of news items published in reverse date order. For previous news see the News Archive. 2021 17 June 2021 Rhino Rift Closed Sat/Sun 19/20th June 09 June 2021 Thrupe Lane Swallet to receive CSCC Padlock 26 May 2021 Invitation to Join Mendip Cave Rescue 19 May 2021 Unauthorised Bolting of Rhino Right Hand Route 11 Apr 2021 Longwood Swallet Lock Vandalised 7 Apr 2021 WARNING - Rockfall in G.B. Cave - Update 28 Mar 2021 Coronavirus Recovery Roadmap: Stage 1 2…

Officers Chairman: Ed Waters Secretary: Frank Tully Treasurer: POST VACANT Conservation & Access: Graham Price Equipment & Techniques: Andrew Atkinson. Training: Dave Keegan. BCA Rep: Linda Wilson. Communications Officer: Pete Hall.