Thursday 22nd October 2026

John Cooper, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Cool and dry after heavy rain earlier. Cave walls damp but no running water. Adrian to bottom with capping kit, Jude part way down Pensioners’ Pot and John hauling at the top. When hauling the first rock out the bucket suddenly became much lighter and there was an “Ouch” from Adrian. The falling rock had hit his helmet and broken the ear defenders! He insisted he was fine and continued capping, but sending up slightly smaller loads. There was a nice cool outward draught coming up Pensioners’ Pot, fumes from capping took only 30 seconds from bottom to top and cleared within a couple of minutes. At the end the spoil was moved on up to the bottom of Father Duckmas shaft, which now needs clearing. 2¼ hours. John.

Broken! Photo AV.

Tuesday 13th October 2026

John Cooper, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Nice warm cloudy day, 18°C but very windy. The cave walls were a bit damp but still pretty dry and the draught was going in on the first couple of pitches. A double mix of cement split over 3 loads taken to the bottom and used by Adrian cementing the walls. A cool outward draught was produced as he worked (chimney effect?). Probably a bit of capping next time as it’s pretty restrictive. 2½ hours. John.

Looking at floor. Photo AV.

Tuesday 22nd September 2026

John Cooper, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Nice warm sunny day, 22°C and the cave was dry. Jude took in 6 poly bags and went to the bottom to clear mud. On the way down the entrance shaft she commented on the number of loose stones that had been dropped down by tourists. Five loads of rocks also hauled up Pensioners’ Pot. Nice outward draught. The 11 loads were then moved on up to the bottom of Father Duckmas shaft. On the way out a full load of stones were collected from various places in the entrance shaft and deposited on the surface. Needs a cementing session at the bottom next. 2 hours. John.

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