Diving in The Glory Hole

On Saturday 29th November Simon Brookes has made another dive into The Glory Hole and has completed the scaffolding cage through the choke making it "safe". A few years ago Simon passed the choke, dropping into an open passage, 1.5m high x 4m wide, heading upstream to the NNW. Because of the unstable nature of the submerged choke the way on was not investigated. A return is planned.

Thefts from vehicles have been on the increase through October and November. On Saturday and Sunday, 6th and 7th. December, a number of cars parked for caving in the Castleton area were broken into and belongings stolen. Cars parked by cavers at Oxlow, Winnatts Head and P.8 were targeted. The police have made one arrest but there may have been more than one person or group involved in the thefts. On Monday 8th of December a car was broken into at Stoney Middleton and a substantial amount of gear was stolen. PLEASE - be aware of the problem and take precautions, preferably leave someone on guard with the cars. If you are targeted, please report it to the Police a.s.a.p. and also keep DCA informed so we can warn others.

The pull throughs in Far Flats will not work unless you take a roll of "gaffer tape" with you!! Even so they do require attention & this is in hand. I was disappointed to see a fresh dump of spent carbide and graffiti in the region of Suicide Pot & at the top of the first pull through in Far Flats. I doubt we can blame this on beginners!

Due to the current spate of thefts from unattended vehicles Hitch n Hike at Bamford are offering cavers the use of their storeroom for safe storage of spare gear, rucsacks, valuables etc. while underground. Whilst they can't take ultimate responsibility for items left the service is free and a lot safer than leaving stuff in vehicles. Kit can be left and collected between 9:30am and 5:30pm (or later by prior arrangement) 7 days a week. Telephone 01433 651013 if you need further info.