Chairman’s Report 2007                                      

During the year since the last Warden’s meeting the committee have striven to increase efficiency in our meetings and communications and to improve access to and within the caves. To achieve the first two goals, we have shared the Secretary’s workload between three committee members. The Secretary, Brendan Marris, is now complimented by a Warden’s Secretary, Tony Baker and a Minutes Secretary, Jon Jones. An arrangement which I believe is working extremely well. The website continues to be maintained, modified and updated by Mike McCombe and all relevant information is to be found there. The  Constitution has been revised, updated and streamlined. This can be viewed on-line on the website. 

The committee have been able to recoup much of the administrative costs of the Warden permit renewals thanks to a grant from the Cambrian Caving Council, which in turn has enabled us to offer existing permit holders, their renewals free of charge. We currently have approximately 70 Wardens. 

To achieve the third goal the Fixed Aids Working Group have fitted a fixed stainless steel ladder in The Abyss. This has resulted in an increase of round trips in the reverse direction which, in turn, should allow for a better distribution of the floatation devices at The Green Canal. Wardens must ensure that at least one floatation aid is present at each end of The Green Canal when they cross it. Work is underway to replace the ladder at The Rising and place a handline on the ascent to The Windy Way. All wardens will be notified of the changes once they are finished. 

Further to our agreement with the Show Cave Management regarding access to and from Tunnel Cave through Cathedral Cave, an airlock has now been constructed at the junction of Cathedral and Tunnel.  The airlock has been built by volunteers and I would like to thank all those cavers who have helped with this project, in particular I would like to thank Pete Cardy, Vince Allkins and Mick Day who all donated a considerable amount of time and effort. We have also been helped by a generous donation of £100 from the SWCC and the donation of the inner airlock door from the Show Cave Management. We shall be asking for the balance of the costs by way of a grant from the BCA shortly. Unfortunately, due to a combination of unforeseen circumstances, we have been unable to finish the caver flap in the showcave entrance in time for trips this year. One of the access conditions to use Cathedral Cave and the airlock, is that parties must be accompanied by a DYO Warden. If any Warden wishes a familiarisation trip in Tunnel Cave, please would they contact the Secretary and we will arrange this for next year.

 At present there are three authorised active digs in DYO and a few intermittent ones, all of which have great potential along with several sites which are presently not being explored. Volunteers are always welcome.

The Management Plan is currently being revised and updated to produce a record of the scientific features of the caves as part of a SSSI audit. (A short report on progress will be made presently.)

An information report and a revised Digging Policy will be issued shortly to all Wardens as a consequence of some frequently raised points and questions arising from the trip reports, which are proving to be an essential and valuable source of reference and information.

I would like to finish this report by thanking all the Wardens for their help in conserving the cave, the committee for their considerable help and support and Ashford Price for his positive attitude, optimism and generosity.

Bernie Woodley

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Last modified: 19-Apr-2008