Thursday 27th August 2026

Daren Chapman, John Cooper, Mark Easterling (Bean), Aidan Harrison, Pete Hellier, Mark Kellaway (Mak), Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Daren and Pete went to the bottom, followed by Bean and Mak. Pete went a second time to collect a replacement bucket as the split in the one being used got rather large. Spoil was hauled from the top of Father Duckmas to the Tunnel then on up to the bottom of the entrance shaft. Finally 10 rather heavier loads were hauled to the surface together with the broken bucket. 1¾ hours. John.

Tuesday 18th August 2026

John Cooper, Wayne Starsmore, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Jude went to the bottom to clear mud. However she not only failed in this task but managed to cover it with fallen rocks. Meanwhile the rest of us cleared the remaining spoil from the top of Pensioners’ Pot through the rift to the bottom of Father Duckmas. All the spoil from here was then moved on up to the top of Father Duckmas. Leaves options for next time. A large team can move spoil on up to the surface or a small team can move spoil up from the bottom. 1½ hours. John.

Thursday 16th July 2026

John Cooper, Xiao Jin, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Hot, 28°C, and sunny. Took down capping kit which Adrian used at bottom. Whilst Adrian made a start with the capping the rest of us cleared all the spoil from the top of Pensioners’ Pot and stacked it at the bottom of Father Duckmas shaft. Once this task was complete we started hauling up Pensioners’ Pot, refilling the space just cleared. Once Adrian had finished for the day Xiao went to the bottom for a look. Good cold outward draught again today. The broken bucket was brought out by Jude but there is a replacement in the alcove above Pensioners’ Pot. Next session is to clear some mud from the bottom, can stay on one side, whilst the top of Pensioners’ Pot is cleared again then haul all the spoil up Father Duckmas. 1¾ hours. John.

Thursday 9th July 2026

John Cooper, Wayne Starsmore, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Hot, 28°C and sunny. Took down capping kit which Adrian used at bottom. 13 loads of rocks were hauled up Pensioners' Pot and 3 loads of mud hauled partway up and stashed in holes in the wall. A cold draught was coming up the shaft making the hauling party quite chilly. The capping fumes took under 30 seconds to travel up the shaft. Need to clear the rocks from top of Pensioners' Pot to bottom of Father Duckmas shaft to make room for more spoil next time. 2 hours. John

Monday 6th July 2026

John Cooper, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Warm 24°C, sunny and calm on surface. Dry underground. One mix of cement split into 2 buckets taken down by Jude and Adrian. Jude had a look at the bottom, declaring the rift not to be as wide as indicated in last week’s photo. John then used up the cement walling about 1m above the floor. Adrian had thought a couple of larger rocks could also be cemented in but when John touched them with the crowbar they fell to the floor revealing a lot of mud behind them. They need capping down a size before hauling up Pensioners’ Pot. Adrian took photos looking down at John working. 1½ hours. John.

John cementing. Photo AV.

Thursday 2nd July 2026

John Cooper, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Warm 20°C, sunny and windy on surface. Dry underground with nice outward draught. Capping kit taken in (Adrian’s new drill!!!!). Adrian capping at the bottom with the intention of widening the floor area to make digging easier. A large rock at floor level was capped to give a better view along. Strong draught of fumes came out of here whilst capping this rock.. It felt like they were not coming from the floor but from the side. John moved the existing spoil from the top of Pensioners’ Pot through the rift to the bottom of Father Duckmas shaft. More capping, clearing and a bit of cementing next time. 1½ hours. John.

Looking along to source of draught. Photo AV.

Saturday 28th March 2026

John Cooper, Pete Hann, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Trip to check how wet the bottom was and see what damage the winter had done. John, Jude then Adrian to the bottom. A few drips but could be worked. Bottom requires enlarging to make it workable size. Pete descended to the alcoves below the Tunnel. Probably clear and cement next time. 1 hour. John.