4/8/26

James, Harley, Ed, Kushy and Mike.

MK headed in around 1700 and started moving boulders around at the end and pre drilling holes ready to be plug and feathered. EF arrived around 1730 and got busy dismantling the boulders. MK moved these into the side rift. Several buckets were also filled up with mud from the floor. Ed carried on splitting rock until the others arrived. Looks to be some huge boulders in the floor still. JB, MM and HB arrived around 1900. 2 buckets runs completed and dumped into the defunct entrance next door. In my opinion probably best not to do drill work before clearing as it made the air quite thick. Finished for 2100.

28/7/26

Estelle, Mike, Ed, Jon, Greg Hawkins (MCG), Kushy

2hrs

A slightly earlier start for Greg, Mike and Kushy, and 38 buckets in circulation that did 2 runs, 70 went from the front and 6 from the puddle (although 1 did have a split in, so wasn't as full by the time it reached the spoil heap!) One down at end, with broken handle, was left on surface. Fast session with a strong team and finished before James arrived walking up with Holly, so had to pick him up enroute to Hunters. 

14/7/26

Report from Jon

Ed turned up early again and set about breaking up the remaining boulders at the dig face. He was just finishing his efforts when the rest of the team arrived. Jon and Harley dug with Ed's support. Mike and James hauled. 

The dig face now looks a lot tidier. The boulders are largely out of the way.  All loose spoil has been removed.

Ed has levelled off the right hand side looking towards the face. With some effort we may be able to construct a means of hauling.

The air remains fresh despite extended efforts in the last couple of sessions. 

couple of Ed's photos of the levelling work for new haulway

Looking towards the dig, hole in the floor conveyorbelt to left

Looking from dig back up passage, hole in the floor to the right. 

7/7/26

Ed turned up early to reduce some boulders with the drill and plug and feathering before the rest of us arrived. Once Ed had finished the last of his batteries with one last boulder, Estelle & Harley started digging. Harley on the right, Estelle on the left. Checked the boulder James had reported last week on left and it doesn't particularly feel like it will imminently go, so cleared the spoil created from rocks being dropped last week before mostly digging downwards to clear out the large step we'd created following the hole in the top and draught. Easy digging as always and found a piece of what looked like fossilised bone in amongst the quite 'gravelly' spoil. Fairly certain the 'gravelly' grey spoil is crushed coral or similar, although it does look like unset concrete! After all 38 buckets filled and Ed finished moving more rocks around to work on levelling the proposed new haul in the bottom chamber. Ideally a 'railway' like at the top as it will be hard to stop it tipping off the hole in the floor side with conveyor belt as it stands. All buckets taken to surface and emptied and then headed to the Hunters.

(photo by Estelle of Harley in the end dig)

30/6/26

Report from Mike & James

The rain did stop when we arrived at cutler's (unfortunately not in time for Estelle walking there, so she got rather wet!). We were greeted by this juvenile green woodpecker on the lawn before flying up into palm. James and Harley were digging, Mike in support (I filled one bucket from spoil on top of conveyor belt over drainage hole) and Fran doing the end haul, as she had limited light. Remaining 37 buckets filled and more rocks removed (could do with breaking some up now) before moving them back to entrance (realising reinforcement was now unlikely!) - Fran dumped 1/3rd of them down side passage and rest emptied behind ladder, before a slightly later than usual retirement to Hunters'.

James - At the end of the digging session I removed a couple of quite sizeable rocks from the top of the left hand side of the dig. These are now on the floor and probably in the way. The “roof” on the left hand side is probably another rock of dubious stability. The air at the end was fresh.

23/6/26

Report from Mike M

Mike and Chris Hurst (MCG) dug, Harley in support, with Estelle and Jon moving stuff back. We filled 38(!) buckets and then, after Chris was out of the way, Mike brought some rocks down from the middle front that had appeared to be part of the roof - big one on left goes well back into mud so will require quite a lot more digging. Mike caught up with others to finish final haul and most of mud was put in bags and added to wall. Hunters' afterwards where James joined us.

16/6/26

Report from Jon

Jon and Harley dug this week, supported by James.  Mike and Estelle hauled.  Harley worked on the right hand side, concentrating on removing a large boulder. His efforts eventually succeeded.  Jon worked on the left hand side where the boulders were smaller. Several were removed. All buckets were filled but a little slower than usual because of the boulders. The next digger needs to be careful of loose ones in the top left corner. Only one set of buckets was filled this week, followed by a slightly early visit to the pub.

9/6/26

Estelle, James, Mike, Ed, Dave, Harley

2hrs 45mins

Estelle, Harley and Ed got there early and Estelle and Harley started filling buckets, whilst Ed was doing some engineering of the rockpile and rocks to level it off in the end chamber to try and work towards getting some sort of drag tray possible in the future. We've a lot of rock in that chamber that has been put aside, so good use of it to level things off. Estelle was working on the area around the new opening last week, firstly clearing off a 'step' to stick buckets on but also digging out the wall below it whilst taking some out from the top also. Harley was digging the bottom right corner. Once the first round of 33 buckets was filled and the rest of the team were away from the end, Estelle took to the loose looking boulders on the left higher up. A large amount of rocks was safely brought down and Ed then went on to plug and feather one and make use of some of the others. More empty buckets appeared so continued digging and we think we reused all 33 buckets, but there may be a chance they didn't all go out first time. There was still a good draught from above, it does look more like the roof of a passage than any aven, but a lot of spoil below it all needs removing before we'll reveal anything! Some photos were taken before we went out. All buckets taken up and a fair number were emptied into the old LH side dig. Stu L met us as we all came out and then we all headed to the Hunters

2/6/26 a void and a draught!

Ed report - 

EF, ES, JB, HB, JR, MM arrived at normal time.  Headed down with 33 buckets. EF & JB were at the dig face. We started by clearing the slump from the previous week which filled most of the buckets. While Buckets were being moved up EF brought down some sizable rocks from the roof discovering a small void. EF joined others emptying buckets before heading back down. Harley and James were found at the dig face clearing the mess. Estelle also joined by the dig face to take a look and help move buckets. The air was noticeably fresh. The void after a bit more clearing is approximately 1.5M long with a smooth scalloped roof. Another note is the mud is no longer colourful and becoming easy to dig clay.

After clearing buckets with Harley and John down the hole all headed out after 66 buckets and headed to the hunters for a much deserved pint.

26/5/26

Estelle, Mike, Harley, Jon

2hrs

Estelle and Mike digging, Estelle left and Mike right, both had a bit of a poke at the boulders to start, but didn't look like any were imminently coming down, so commenced digging mud around them and then had more goes, the one that looked least likely to go on the left came out and was moved out of the way further back in the chamber, more digging commenced and as the buckets were filled and the session went on, all the main loose boulders were removed, including the last at the end by Mike who left a load of self dug mud for the diggers next week! 33 or 34 buckets were filled and exited, one died during the trip with handle failure, so we think we're down to 33, may need to go shopping soon! James walked up with Holly to meet us at the dig as really hot evening, and then Hunters after. 

19/5/25

Report by Jon

Harley and Jon dug, supported by James.  Mike and Estelle were hauling.  The dig face has become very bouldery.  Harley removed one large boulder on the left to reveal more behind.  Jon tried to dig out another on the right.  This requires more effort. The boulders in the middle are now loose thanks to Harley.  A cautious start is needed next week.

12/5/26

Estelle, James, Mike, Jon, Harley, Fran 

2hrs

Estelle & Mike started off digging, Mike to the left and Estelle to the right. After clearing the mud around the massive boulder James moved last week, that was rolled back a bit from the dig so is now a seat! It either needs reducing or could stay here potentially as it's not in the way as it stands. The first 33 buckets were filled, there was a 34th which was accidentally left full at the dig last week, that was taken out. Jon and Harley were soon joined by James who had walked the dog over and Fran had arrived also. We all shuffled up passage to transport the buckets out and they were all dumped into the old side dig by James and Harley. 18 further buckets were sent back down and Mike and Fran filled those with help from Jon, whilst Harley, Estelle and James worked further up hauling. All buckets were dumped either in the old dig or a few wet ones up top, buckets scraped and we headed to the Hunters.

5/5/26

Report from Mike

James and Harley dug,  Jon and Mike hauling. James got big slab on right out of face, and most of spoil went down side passage (except for the sloppier ones created by tidying the rest of chamber, and one which got left there - not found until following week). 

28/4/26

Report from Mike

Ed, Harley, Jon and Mike. Red kite flew over just as we were heading to entrance. First two dug whilst last two filled 3 buckets with slop from flooding. 30 or 31 buckets filled fairly easily as mud peeled off, and a large rock was dug out. Toad rescued from end chamber, a slug and beetle were also noticed there. All buckets then hauled back to side passage and mostly emptied there by Jon. Vole ran across surface steps as I stepped off ladder. Then off to the Hunters'

21-4-26 Digging resumes, flooding gone!

Report from Mike Moxon

Mike, Harley and Dave Wiltshire (MCG) took 10 buckets to the end, expecting to only be able to clear the material reported by Estelle previously, but the end was totally dry (apart from a small puddle by digface), so we filled 9 with slumping from there, and the other with slop from the drain hole and loose mud from elsewhere in chamber. These were hauled out and dumped under ladder (where Harley noted small holes in the spoil heap - presumably that toads had wintered in). We then took another 11 (most were stacked in 5s, but one 6 - although another handle went, so we are presumably down to 34) to the start of final haul and dug most of the slump there out as well. Quite a few bats flying around as we headed back to cars for 9pm and a trip to the Hunters'

24/3/26 Flooded still

Estelle Sandford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Ed Ford, Harley Bennett, Jon Riley

45mins

Estelle walked up with Holly for her to remain in the car whilst we were underground. Everyone else turned up and went to look at the state of the dig and water. By the time Estelle got changed and down there, they had looked and it was over half way up the long passage towards the steps, so no chance of digging for a while yet until the water tables have subsided. Harley went for an explore in the side passages and found high water levels at the bottom of them too from the levels being the same. Headed to Waldy and met Stu Lindsay and Duncan Butler there for a drink and catch up to pass on GSG journals. First time Stu out since his operations.

4/1/2026 flooded still

Estelle's first time underground exactly 11 weeks after breaking ankle! Dig is still flooded in last chamber from December rains, and also a small collapse at the other end of the conveyor belt. Hopefully we'll get some drier weather in January. 

10/12/25 grills fixed on 2 holes

Report from Mike Moxon

Mike M checked the water level, which was totally filling lower passage, so most of tools underwater and two tubs we left by railway under roof were also full. I moved everything that I could reach back to top of spoil heap, except the trolley, which is above Stu's seat. Mike Wise drilled holes around both grills and fitted bolts, with Jon's assistance. They only used single hole plates, so are turned out to hold grill from all 4 sides, but can be rotated to still allow access.

25/11/25 end chamber starting to flood...

From Mike Moxon - Jon, Harley and he were digging. 

End was flooded to similar depth as last week, but right across final chamber, so no longer draining. Moved about 5 tubs of mud and similar number of rocks back to entrance, tools back to middle haul and bigger rocks back a bit from chamber. Also filled 4 bags from tubs and some of pile on top of spoil heap, to raise edge of wall. 

18/11/25

Report from Mike Moxon

The chamber at end had obviously flooded on Friday and water had been running along the approach passage (a couple of frogs were in the pool at start of final haul). Fortunately the hole in floor had drained, but quite a lot of water was left at dig face (just over wellie depth in right corner). Ed and Mike cleared up the slumping and dug a channel under the big left hand boulder to drain the water, before bailing out the last bit. This caused the boulder to tilt away from the wall until it was resting on the central rocks, Ed re-exposing the sloping floor on that side which Harley had found last week - fortunately the big rock is resting on this and the one behind it is now resting on the big rock. Harley also helped with trying to drain both front and the flood under right hand aven, also moving tubs back to Jon. Smaller rocks were also moved further back within chamber, before 33 buckets of slop were dumped on spoil heap, with just 2 drier loads resulting from a slump further back. Fortunately clear skies whilst we were changing, although there was a small amount of precipitation whilst underground - retired to the Hunter's at 9.15

11/11/25

report from Mike Moxon

Jon noticed a couple of buckets tucked up the back passage, which Ed and Harley retrieved - we think they may have washed there when the shaft flooded, so Jon and Harley filled most of them up, whilst I did a bit of mud clearing around the chamber and moved all 35 back to the first haul, Ed carrying the majority back to the steps. Harley emptied half of them down the side passage and the rest we did on the spoil heap, as it had stopped raining by then (fortunately it only started as we were heading down to the entrance). Met James and Estelle in the Hunters'

28/10/25

Report from Mike Moxon

Ed and Harley dug, whilst Jackie Bishop (MCG) and Mike moved the 33 buckets back, before we all hauled and Harley emptied most of them down the side passage (various rocks also came out over last couple of weeks that are still in the end chamber). Went to Hunters afterwards where we met up with MCG Tuesday nighters.

21/10/25

Report from Mike Moxon

Estelle out of action due to broken ankle, so no James either as has to walk the dog! 

Mike and Harley dug, Ed and Jon started moving tubs back. 33 were filled and then hauled out for emptying, before we discovered Stu sat in his van, having failed to find his helmet and tripped coming over to the dig with poor lighting and ending up with a dislocated shoulder, which resulted in A&E! 

Most of the bits for securing the 'original' shaft are now with Jon, just needs one of the team to facilitate a drill to do this soon, best done in daylight for safety reasons. 

14/10/25 Surface work/checking old shafts

Estelle Sandford, Mike Moxon, Jon Riley

1.5hrs

Estelle cut back the brambles, especially around the hole under the hedge (the one with stemples, so didn't require a ladder), whilst Jon and Mike coiled the blue pipe, brought aluminium ladders up from beside main hole, and lifted the old dumpy bags. We then descended all the holes except the deepest one near the gate (as couldn't see ledge to rest ladder on in dark, and really need a longer one), but didn't find anything, except a bit more mud than when we dug them, and the second across has very luxuriant moss in bottom. Next laid longest ladder across hedge hole and cable tied those grills together, before leaving the 3 ladder sections across the two holes nearest the gate, just to make them more obvious and provide more support than just the grill. We then met Stuart at the Waldegrave, after he'd had a good rummage around the Belfry and Rathaus, to see if there were any more useful materials.

We need to plan a daylight session to safely descend the deepest one and secure the mesh/drill the plates in once all materials are sorted in the coming weeks. The key is to make it so they can be unbolted should access be required in future, but make them safe so if anything goes across them, they won't fall in!

7/10/25

Report from Mike Moxon

Harley and Ed dug, whilst Jon moved buckets back and Mike hauled. Cave was a bit damper than last week, so middle haul didn't need lubricating. 33 buckets emptied again and a few rocks moved to start of final haul. Big toad by end of railway. 

30/9/25

Report from Mike Moxon

Mike arrived just before 6pm and took photos of the other entrances to help with the planning to secure the mesh down, Hollie was there just after, having been delayed by an accident in Cheddar. The buckets stank of fermented laurel berries, those that don't leak being two thirds full of water (one live frog in empty bucket, another drowned - two more were lurking under the ladder), so we emptied them out and headed down to fill all 33. Loose rock on left was finally removed from fill. Jon and James arrived at this point so we hauled and emptied everything, then took them down again so J&J could refill. Hollie had been digging around the big suspended rock on right and it was moving a bit by time James finished with it. All 33 buckets emptied and scraped again before heading to the pub. Middle haul had needed lubrication (water), so one of cider flagons emptied, but both refilled from surface bucket (although that seems to have diving beetles living in it, so left some water there). James picked Estelle up so she could come to Waldegrave (his car wasn't playing ball).

12/8/25

Report from Mike Moxon

Ed was digging on the left, Mike on right (around roof boulder - still not exposed enough to lever). Jon then moved buckets back to James on first haul. After 33 buckets were filled, Mike had a go at moving said boulder, but had more success with a smaller one behind the giant on the left, although it only shifted an inch or two it's definitely a loose tooth, whilst still sat on plenty of mud, so not going to slump, but probably best being worked on when you haven't got anyone else behind you. Others emptied the buckets with minimal scraping required, before retiring to the Hunters.

5/8/25

 Estelle Sandford, Mike Moxon, Jon Riley, Matilda Doel, Ed Ford

1.5hrs

Estelle on left digging and Matilda on the right, easy digging and is quite dry in there now so not getting very dirty at all from digging or hauling. Filled the 33 skips and then hauled them out, emptying them into the old left hand dig. The whole dig face is still going forwards and down, the right has a large boulder in the roof, which at the end Estelle had a prod at, but it isn't loose yet, Small rocks were coming out from above it though confirming it is a rock rather than wall. Headed to the Waldy after. 

22/7/25

Report from Mike Moxon

Matilda was digging, I believe alongside Ed. Jon was passing buckets back and James hauling. Mike arrived just in time to move loads back to second haul and start that (next time we need a knife to replace skip - it's tied in - there are more skips near entrance ladder, with at least one old krab there and another in my car). Buckets hauled back to Stu at the entrance, where a few were emptied down side passage and rest on spoil heap. 18 then went back down for total of 52 loads removed (although one handle broke, so down to 33 from now)

15/7/25

 Estelle Sandford, Mike Moxon, Jon Riley

1.5hrs

Filled all 34 buckets from digging the end and Mike digging out some slops and other bits up passage. Right hand side is going down as well as forward at the moment, left hand side still looking aven like, but during the course of the digging a large boulder was gently laid to rest next to Jon digging. Mike and Jon manoeuvred it to a better location before we headed up passage to move all the buckets out of the cave. At least they were easy to empty, which was the only easy part of the job when there is only 3 of you!

8/7/25

 from Mike M

James, Jon, Ed, Mike and Stu. James and Jon dug first, whilst Ed moved buckets (and cleared a couple of slop from drainage hole), whilst Mike hauled. Then took them back to Stu, with a few going down the left hand dig and rest on spoil heap. Being only 8.20pm, James and Mike took 19 back to front and filled them with mud from left and red / orange earth from right. Quite a few rocks came out which Ed used for stepping stones in the chamber, also moving the buckets back for Jon to haul. These were taken back to the spoil heap, where Jon filled a few bags. Finished by 9pm. No darts, but waldy was busy with diners just finishing & Estelle joined us.

1/7/25

 Estelle Sandford, Jon Riley, Mike Moxon

1.5hrs

All digging to start, Mike cleared most of the remaining slump from aven on right, then we moved 34 buckets back to spoil heap and still finished by 8.30. Estelle digging downwards to right, Jon digging upwards on left. Left looks like it may be an aven, floor is going down.

24/6/25

 from Mike M

Jon, Stu, James, Ed, Matilda, Mike and Matty Dredge (who locked his keys in his car, so I'm not really sure who did what, as I spent more time trying to get in touch with his girlfriend - eventually he remembered his smart watch would link to his phone in the car and persuaded her to drive an hour with his spare set. Fortunately we could get around his car, so left it at cutler's, having informed Kevin, and took him to waldegrave in Ed's spare clothes and a pair of my shoes), where Bex picked him up just as we were finished.

3/6/25

Estelle Sandford, Mike Moxon, Hollie London, Adrian Miles, Wesley De Beer, Matilda Doel, Stu Lindsay, Ed Ford

1.5-2hrs

Early bird group started at 6:30 with rest turning up usual time of around 7. Mike picked Wesley de Beer up as there wasn't space on MCG trip this evening for him. He went with Hollie around other bit of passage before joining Adrian and myself at front, Adrian and Wes dug, Hollie cleared more of slump from aven and I moved buckets back, until Matilda arrived to do end haul, and then Estelle, Stu and Ed arrived to complete the team. First 34 buckets were mostly full by the time the later ones arrived, so these were dragged out of the system and dumped in the side hole again, then Estelle and Matilda dug the second round of 34 buckets with Estelle left side and Matilda on the right. Still really easy diging and quite a few rocks also coming out, some moved out and some moved to the conveyorbelt chamber area for staging. After the second round of buckets removed and dumped and scraped, we headed to the Waldy. 

27/5/25

Report from Mike Moxon

I was digging on left, Jon on right, James in support, & clearing the drainage hole, until Kat arrived to do end haul. Most of material dumped in side passage, plus some of previous week's rocks moved back to entrance.

20/5/25

Estelle Sandford, Jon Riley, Mike Moxon, Ed Ford, Matilda Doel, Hollie London

1.5hrs

Estelle & Hollie dug first and filled the first round of 34 buckets. Digging is easy and quite dry mud, which is easy to empty. On the left is going in 2 directions, up left looks like an aven possibly again, right hand digging is easy and dry and still going forwards and also down a bit too. After the spoil from the first round of buckets was emptied into the old left hand dig hole and a load of rocks removed, plus a bit of crazy paving in the puddle, 19 buckets went back down and Ed and Matilda filled those and they were brought out and emptied before heading to the Waldy. 

13/5/25

from Mike Moxon

Ed and Mike arrived 6pm to find the rheas in the garden (they were still there an hour later when James and Jon turned up). We took 24 buckets down, filling 18 from the front and 6 with puddle slop, and had got them back along the further 2 hauls by the time others joined us. The wet ones went onto the spoil heap, but most of the mud was dumped down side passage. J&J then dug the full 34 loads, plus about 6 lots of rock - latter left either end of first haul (depending on size) and buckets all dumped down side passage - followed by some vigorous scraping! Out by 9pm for a quick stop in the waldegrave with Estelle and Stu as they closed up around us.

6/5/25

 Estelle Sandford, Mike Moxon, Jon Riley and Matilda Doel

1.5hrs

Was expecting Duncan and Fran to join us later, but they didn't make it. Filled all 34 buckets 0 Mike and Matilda at the front digging, whilst Estelle shuffled them up the chamber and Jon shuffled them further up the cave. Once all filled, we moved everything out of the cave. Some of the spoil filled the last couple of bags that had space from previous weeks, some was dumped down the hole in the floor and some in the usual spoil dumping spaces. Headed to Waldy after. 

22/4/25

Report from Mike Moxon

Jon, James, Ed and Mike - 32 buckets dug out from end in pretty short order (3 filled with rocks and couple more larger ones left to side), whilst 2 others filled with slop from puddle, were then ferried back to spoilheap and most of last week's bags filled, rest dumped. Broken tools were also brought out and one of small shovels plus crowbar taken in. Off to hunters before 9pm.

15/4/25

Estelle Sandford, Mike Moxon, Jonathan Riley, Matilda Doel, Stu Lindsay

1.5hrs

Estelle, Matilda and Mike filled all 34 buckets. Estelle and Matilda at the front, there is easily space for 2 at the dig face! On the left, there is what looks like a large boulder that currently feels solid but needs to keep an eye on. Mike continued to clear slop from the winter flooding. All buckets were transported through the cave and emptied at the surface, mostly into bags which Stu can do alone. Hunters tonight as Waldy closed early.  

1/4/25

 report from Mike Moxon

Mike had a live herald moth in his suit at start, he headed in and dug the slump from aven on right (he and Matilda also climbed up - it's now mostly solid roof with a few, sort of, mud formations). She moved all 34 buckets back to the first haul, whilst James dug the way forward. Fortunately Fran arrived in time for the second haul, so we could get tubs out to Stu at the entrance. 7 bags had 2 loads put in them & need topping up next week, rest was dumped quite easily, with minimal scraping required. Dead duck was removed from below entrance. Met Estelle and Duncan in waldegrave.

25/3/25

Estelle Sandford, Mike Moxon, Dave Walker, Matilda Doel, Stu Lindsay, Fran Campbell, Ed Ford

1.5hrs

No sign of any water level at the end, but the layer of flood slurry, plus the slump is going to need a fair bit of work to clear. Estelle & Matilda filled all available buckets, think it's 34, with a mixture of slurry from the end chamber and slump from the aven and these were transported out of the cave and emptied into bags and spoil heap. Waldy afterwards. 

Winter consolidated update

15/12/24 still flooded to top haul

Weather over the winter months has been fairly consistently wet, so no visits were undertaken as it was assumed the dig would still be flooded. 

11/3/25 Report from Mike

Me, Matilda, Stuart, Callum bisley, Ed and Kat found it was still flooded just above the conveyor belt. We removed 17 buckets of slumping / sludge from along the passageway, 1 big frog and a toad. Left 12 or 13 buckets on shelf down near the water. Callum had a look around the other bit of the cave. Then went to join James, Estelle and holly at the waldegrave (photos Kat and Mike)

20/3/25 Mike visited the dig - just a pool over the drainage hole and slump from aven on right, so is now diggable. 

Hopefully this means digging can resume on a regular basis if the weather remains dryer. 

19/11/24 flooded again

Report from Mike
End was flooded just over Welly height, so James, Jon, Matilda and I moved about 15 loads of rock back to entrance.

12/11/24 flooding subsided enough to dig again!

 Estelle Sandford, Mike Moxon, Stu Lindsay, Kat Rosier, Ed Ford, Fran Campbell

1.5hrs

No real rainfall for several weeks, so guessed we'd be ok to dig. Took all the buckets down to the end and Estelle, Mike and Ed took to clearing the slurry and collapses that the flooding had caused. There was a pool by the forward dig, the aven had slumped quite a few buckets worth and plenty of slurry all over plus Kat filled a few further up passage too! After filling 35 buckets, moved them through the cave to empty in spoil heap and headed to the Hunters. 

28/10/24 Still too flooded to dig

 From Matilda

Water level has probably dropped about 3m

22/10/24

 From Mike

Serenaded by a pair of tawny owls, Mike, Jon and Matilda discovered the whole passage was flooded to just a couple of feet below the railway, as was left dig, so two hauls, 4 digging tools and one krab on short handline are underwater. Anything we could reach was moved up to spoil heap, a couple more bags filled to even out wall, then spare bags, tubs, ropes and the "railway carriage" were stacked in higher side passages, whilst 2 bags of sand, metal work, scrapers, buckets and anything not used recently were hauled up above ladder. Fran had arrived by then. I have one of Stu's krabs and a clip from bolt at end of railway

15/10/24

 from Mike

Jon went to end to check and it was diggable (left side still flooded), so Matilda filled all the buckets (except 2 with broken handles, although a third did go down and get filled - all taken to surface after). Digging was apparently fairly easy, then Ed passed them back to final haul, with Mike and Jon on either end, who also flattened out the conveyor belt and moved the middle sized rocks back to start of that haul. We then staged all buckets up to spoil heap and emptied them, leaving the tools and skip on shelf at start of final haul. It started to rain as we headed out just after 8.30, where we found Duncan and Fran (who had arrived late), but fortunately it didn't pour down until we left the waldegrave (everyone except Matilda)

8/10/24

 from Mike

Ed, kat, Jon, Matilda Doel and me. Flooded to 1 foot below conveyor belt, we moved a load more rocks back to entrance - mostly just larger ones left at end now. Tawny owl greeted us on departure (and insects taking cover) 

1/10/24

From Mike

Ed, Kat and Mike - End of dig half flooded, could just see tops of tools! Moved sensible sized rocks from end chamber to start of last haul, then 18 buckets of smaller rocks back to entrance. 

17/9/24

Report from Jon Riley

Jon called in on his way back from work as usual; Ed can clearly now be referred to as a regular; Mike is a regular at most digs. Hence, we can report that three regular diggers turned up at the appointed hour.

Being only a small team, an early decision was to take only a few buckets underground. A suggestion that we each take six buckets was instantly agreed. With hindsight we should have taken more underground.

Mike was appointed chief digger, supported by Ed. Jon was nursing an inflamed elbow, so took on hauling duties only.

Jon had missed a couple of digs; to him the air quality was noticeably improved.

The Team filled and removed their buckets with high efficiency. Consequently, they arrived at the local hostelry somewhat earlier than planned.

Perhaps more buckets next time?

10/9/24

report from Mike Moxon. 

Fran and Ed took it turns digging, Kat and Mike did first haul for 14 buckets then moving back to middle whilst others brought last 6 out. The puddle has flooded again by the conveyor belt. 

27/8/24

Estelle Sandford, Mike Moxon, Fran Campbell, Stu Lindsay

1hr 15mins

 

Estelle and Mike started filling buckets, 12 were already in the cave empty and we took 6 more down so 18 were filled in total. The air was ok at the end and it felt like there was a slight draught coming up through the floor hole. Estelle filled the buckets from the left hand side under the big boulder and above the crack in the floor. Fran arrived and started hauling and we started moving everything up through the cave. The air wasn’t great when sat at the bottom of the middle haul, but the rest of the cave was ok. Stu hauled at the surface and part filled a few bags whilst waiting for help emptying on the surface. The mud was sticking quite a lot in the buckets, don’t know if it was worse due to the type of mud or that some buckets were left stashed in the cave. Waldy was closed so we went to the Hunters.

20/8/24

 report from Jon

Three regular Team members (Fran, Jon and Mike) were joined by two visitors, Joe Holloway and Krystal Thompson from Mendip Outdoor Pursuits. Joe had previously visited; Crystal was paying a first visit to the dig site. The visitors had a quick look at the upper cave and then, in traditional fashion, they were invited to dig.

Joe took the lead, initially supported by Jon. The air quality remains poor. Krystal sensibly took a cautious approach of starting at a hauling point, until she had acclimatised to the air. She then moved forward, sharing the lead duties with Joe.

Given the air quality, the Team limited themselves to a small number of buckets. Twenty bucket loads were removed from the front; six rather liquid loads were taken from the bottom haul point, where Fran hauled. In due course, the Team moved up to fresher air; Fran again did most of the hauling.

The good news is that the buckets remain easy to empty.

The Team eventually relocated to a local hostelry for light refreshments, delayed a little by an issue with the site gate. Fortunately, the landowner came to their rescue. The Team extends a word of thanks.

13/8/24

 report from Fran

Jon, James Ed, Fran and Stu were at the dig with James and Jon at the digface. Ed and Fran and Stu hauled with Stu working the railway at the top. It was hot and humid with spells of rain.  We emptied all the buckets into bags or onto the spoil heap then headed for the Waldy.

6/8/24

 Report from Mike Moxon

Duncan dug the end, whilst Jon and I checked the buckets left last time still emptied (they did, but then it hadn't rained). Adrian arrived to help shift stuff back & Duncan stopped at 26 due to air still being poor, before assisting with getting them back to the entrance where we filled bags for the wall. Finished about 8.30 to find stu had only just arrived, before heading to the waldegrave where James, Estelle and holly met us.

30/7/24

 Estelle Sandford, Mike Moxon, Jon Riley

1.5hrs

Trying different ideas with 3. Mike, Jon and Estelle took 22 skips into the end of the dig, Jon filled them all and whilst he was doing that, Mike and Estelle moved them through the first skip run, there is space there to store that number, we actively left 2 skips in the cave in that area to see how well they empty next time having been left full in cave. We then moved them to the chamber end of railway with one each end of the haul and one on steps, followed by moving them out of the cave and emptying them, including filling 2 bags, apart from one skip which we left by the railway to test how well it empties next time. This took just over an hour to do from start to finish and we arrived in the pub just after 8:30pm. We felt 20-25 would be the max 3 could do and make the pub for 8:30ish on non-darts nights. The air in the dig wasn’t great, but not unworkable.

We discussed in the pub after with Stu and James present, options around trying bags instead of the skips like they use at Halloween, Jon said he’d see about getting some of those – from experience of many digs/mud types, we will probably need to experiment with leaving them full for a week, then maybe 2 weeks, etc. to see how well they will empty. We also suggested that filling some brewery bags and loading them into the pool just before the last run, with a view to putting another conveyor belt over that would lose that puddle with rocks in and make it more comfortable to get across and a little more storage space too. There is also a lot of smaller rocks by the last skip run that could come out allowing more stacking space if required. Basically there is probably work that can be done with 3 as long as the individuals are up for triple handling and being in a variety of locations working. We just have to accept we can’t do things as fast and vigorous with just 3! 

16/7/24 report from Mike M

 Ed Ford, James Begley, Mike Moxon, Jon Riley, Stu Lindsay, Fran Campbell

2hrs

Ed and James were at the front, Jon and Mike moved skips back, whilst Stu did the middle haul, for all buckets present, then Stu moved up to top haul and rest of us kept moving them along. Fran arrived as we were emptying.

9/7/24

Estelle Sandford, Mike Moxon, Stu Lindsay, Ed & Kat Ford, Jon Riley, Fran Campbell

1.5hrs

Stu continued putting in some additional handlines and drilling holes for bolts for that ahead of helping with the hauling. Estelle and Ed headed to the dig and Estelle digging down in the forward bit and Ed clearing the last of the flood spoil from the aven area. Going down is giving rocks in the floor after a layer of spoil, all seem to be fairly loose. All buckets filled and then taken out and some bag filling was done before retiring to the Waldy

2/7/24

Report from Mike M

Mike Moxon, Ed Ford (MCG), Stu Lindsay, Fran Campbell, Duncan Butler, Jon Riley

2hours

Filled all 35ish buckets, Duncan clearing the front slump, then starting on digging forward, Mike loaded up about half of the aven slump, so it's now below the level of surrounding rocks. Ed Ford (MCG) and Fran started moving the tubs back whilst Jon brought in the two skip runs, after reattaching haul lines, then all 5 of us dragged everything back to the spoil heap, where we filled the low point in corner - buckets emptying easily. Whilst Stu did his with adding safety lines/drilling.

18/6/24

Report from Stu/Mike

18/6/24

James Begley, Mike Moxon, Jon Riley, Stu Lindsay, Fran Campbell

Some preparation work to aim to dig soon now the end has drained. Stu drilled a hole for a hanger for a safety line for the ladder, but the drill snapped off, so wasn’t able to complete the work. The rope supplied by Blitz is now in 2 pieces with one having 2/3rds of the necessary knots in, which Stu has taken home to complete.

Mike took a look at the right hand passage, looks much the same as previously but with extra slime from the floods, but a couple of rocks in the roof at the start have come out. He then dug a couple of rocks out from the collapse at the main end and there is about a dozen tubs worth of slump there and another half dozen below aven. Poured some water into end slot and it disappeared left out of view and gurgled away (probably more ahead direction), Finally removed both skips to daylight and filled a couple of buckets with mud from around the steps.

11/6/24 finally dry enough to dig!

Jon Riley went and took a look at the end and it's now completely dry at the dig, so good to go for next week planning to dig the end. 

28/5/24 water levels up!

Estelle Sandford, Stu Lindsay, Jon Riley, Fran Campbell

1hr

Estelle and Jon went to the end to look at the water levels and unsurprisingly really, with the recent heavy rains, the water levels had risen by around 0.5m since we looked a couple of weeks ago. More rain is forecast so we think it is unlikely to be diggable by next week and as such not planning to arrange anything. 

We had a clear up and also removed the blue pipe from the dig (relocated to by the other holes for now) and also the electric cable as we don't envisage using either again. Several bags of rubbish and dead skips removed and all the serviceable buckets now back where they should be. 

14/5/24 First visit after winter floods

Estelle Sandford, Jonathan Riley underground, Mike Moxon, Fran Campbell, James Begley and Stu Lindsay didn’t go underground. 

15mins

Estelle & Jon kitted up and headed down. There was polystyrene and plastic containers/tubs at the top of the steps indicating the water levels were higher than we’d originally thought from photos but think the peak was from Storm Henk in January from Kevin’s photos! Reasonable amount of cleanup work required on surface and in the spoil area as bags, buckets, etc. are everywhere! Headed down and while it’s a bit slimey from being under water for so long, there are little signs of any movement of mud or rocks from roof, etc. At the end, the conveyor belt was clear and above water, but the end of the dig is about 1-1.5m underwater still. Not quite diggable, but probably only a week or two if we get reasonably dry weather. Headed off to the Waldegrave after where Stu joined us. Discussed that it is worth a team going over next week to do some cleanup work and check levels with a hope we will be back in digging within the next couple of weeks. 

Edited to add the highest point of flooding from 24/2/24 from Kevin. 

5/1/24 after Storm Henk

 photos from Kevin - now about a metre higher than 2012! 

4/1/24 before Storm Henk

 photo from Kevin - another 3meters and it will be where it was in 2012...

31/12/23 Storm Gerrit

 Photo from Kevin

23/12/23 levels dropped a bit...

Estelle Sandford

15mins

Quick look in the entrance as far as i could go with just added wellies and gloves with a mobile phone. The water levels are at the 2nd step from the photos, a drop from earlier in the month.