The 2003/2004 Peak Cavern season officially came to a end on the 4th April 2004 but the show cave owners expressed an interest in extending the season, as long as the keyholders can run the trips. Several of the keyholders said that they are willing to run trips on a Saturday and Sunday but by prior arrangement only, from now through to 23rd July then the cave will be closed for cavers until the beginning of October when the actual season begins again.

Note: The show cave management must not be approached by cavers.

The same access arrangements apply, cavers must meet at the TSG caving hostel, pay the usual fees and be in the cave by 9-45am, following the usual rules that apply. If you want a trip, contact one of the following keyholders with at least a weeks notice to see what their plans are and maybe they can let you into the cave. The keyholders won't change their plans if they have alternate arrangements made.

The following keyholders have agreed to run trips:

· Wayne Sheldon 07941 211 209

· Ralph Johnson 07779 797 388

Please note that there is no weekly rota and trips can only be undertaken with prior arrangement with a keyholder. Turning up at the TSG hostel on a Saturday or Sunday won't guarantee you a caving trip, as a keyholder won't turn up without prior arrangement.

Bookings for Sunday trips, from October through to March will again have to be arranged through John Beck at the usual address: 01433 631732 or email on johnbeck@classicfm.net Your co-operation with the keyholders will be very much appreciated.Wayne Sheldon (Peak Cavern Keyholder).

On the 14th March 2004, the "Traverse of the Spods" was entered after a traverse/part climb was undertaken by Joel Corrigan and Wayne Sheldon. The extension has currently 25 metres of passage but it's well decorated with good passage morphology, several sediment sequences, stalagmites, dried up gour pool and a well decorated calcite blockage. Above this blockage is a short rift passage that leads to two ways on: at low level the passage soon ends whilst at high level a body - sized tube can be seen that emits a draught. However, a hanging calcite blockage makes access to this impossible for the time being, but a return is planned.

The NCC shafts is part of the Main Stream Inlet Series of Peak Cavern which were discovered during the foot and mouth epidemic, although nothing of note had been undertaken in these extensions since that time. The aven is located on the left hand side, about 5 metres outwards from the top of the 1st pitch, the start of the passage is located about 12.5 metres above the second pitch.

Cave Conservation Monitoring Scheme gets 1000

Dave Webb entered this year's Greenwatch Awards on behalf of DCA and the Cave Conservation Monitoring team, little thinking that his 20 page project report on the scheme would attract more than a passing glance - after all it was subtitled 'out of sight out of mind'!

However, Dave, who is DCA's Conservation Officer, was delighted to receive a letter from Derbyshire County Council, organisers of the Award, with an invitation to attend the Award Ceremony at County Hall in Matlock on the 27th May as his project had been selected as one of the 50 finalists.

The Greenwatch Award Scheme has been running for 15 years now, and the DCA have previously scooped an award for the Nettle Pot restoration. However, this year the Scheme, which is to 'recognise and promote projects that enhance the county's environment' was to be different - only two cash prizes in each of the five categories and special certificates to the remainder of those commended. In addition there would be six sponsored prize awards.

The judges decided that work to conserve our underground environment is every bit as important as that above ground and awarded the Monitoring Project first prize with a cheque for a fantastic 1000! This will be a welcome boost to the DCA's coffers and hopefully will serve to further enhance their work to improve and conserve the underground environment for the greater good of all cavers.

Dave pointed out that he and the DCA owes a debt of gratitude to all the Cave Conservation Monitoring Team members without whom this award would not have been possible.

I have now replaced the book in the ammo box at the base of the climbing shaft of Knotlow Mine. The format of the new book is slightly different to allow one page per entry and to encourage a fuller report and contact details from those who wish to provide more information. For example it helps to know the prevailing surface weather conditions and if there is any muck spreading going on. Otherwise everything is back to normal and I would thank you in advance for your continued support. I have placed a summary in the box of the most recent entries prior to the last book becoming waterlogged. Please don't hesitate to contact me or a member of the team at access@thedca.org.co.uk if you need, or wish to provide, further information. Many thanks again for your help.