Monday 31st August 2026

Oli Hill, Sam Hill, Mike Kushy and Mysti Ommer. We all met at 1100 and carried 2 bags of dust in each, apart from one person who had the drill and a bag of sand. OH and MO went through to MHH and brought a length of rope back with them. This was used on a bucket for hauling (ideal time to get a pulley installed). SH meanwhile set to breaking up rock in Scaff' Dig with PF's. After we spectated SH for a while,we decided to have a go at the 'Top Dig' in TPC. Easy digging and OH/MO took turns at the front. A 3rd person wasn't really needed so MK went to assist SH. Towards the end we were mainly clearing clatch, with still loads more to clear. Before we left some hefty boulders were moved from the floor at the end. Interesting holes in the floor appearing now and boulders still getting larger. Another interesting thing was that all the boulders we broke up today weren't actually limestone, all rotten inert calcite type material which PF's didn't work great on (none of these boulders were smaller than a microwave!), almost as if this area was one big calcited plug. We had a chat today and agreed all building work should be done on a weekend as we keep losing bits of wall where enough time isn't being spent on construction. All out for 1530. Mike.

*report from Top Dig to follow*

Wednesday 19th August 2026

Sam Hill, Mike Kushy and Michael Waterworth.

MK and MW met for 1800 and took 2 drums of cement in. At TPC we met SH who had been down for a while splitting up boulders from the scaffold dig. We all cleared the loose spoil to the main chamber. Some work was done adding extra bars and removing the higher diagonal brace that goes across the middle so we can now add a pulley system. SH had to leave at 2000, so the other pair set to building some walling. 2&1/2 drums of cement in cave and a fair amount of building sand, just need dust. Several huge boulders to break up at the bottom of the scaff dig next time. Really good draught coming out today. MK and MW got to the cars for 2100. Mike K.

Scaffold Dig. Photo SH.

Tuesday 4th August 2026

We met for 5pm at the dig, ready with a bag of cement. We were underground for half past. At Boulder Rift Chamber we grabbed all but one of the bags of sand/dust. With minimal spillage five bags and ourselves dropped down into Tea Party Chamber. Having had a good look around making a plan we set about it, 3 mixes were made up whilst I cleaned out the bottom ready for walling. The un-cemented side was walled up and a small step added. The second load went under one of the large boulders to support the wall ready for downwards progress next time. 3.5hrs 

We emptied all the bags in TPC, bringing all the bags out! 4 broken tackle bags were taken from site & washed, in the hope that they can be fixed. There is no cement, but 3 bags of dust and 2 bags of sand left in Tea Party Chamber.
Sam Hill.

Looking down. Photo SH.

Looking down. Photo SH.

Saturday 18th July 2026

Freya Bearn, Joe Biddie, Sam Easton, Sam Hill, Michael Kousiounis, Leila Nicholson and Mysti Ommer. 

We met for just after 10.00 and lowered 6 bags of sand/dust and a drill bag. The drill bag went down to POT and the other bags got taken through to the Boulder Rift chamber. SE, MK and MO went to the Tooth Dig end. Whilst there we sent the older spoil lower down as well. FB did the awkward spot and those at the dig face took turns clearing mainly mud. Around 12.00 MO and SE had to leave. SH took over from FB and clearing resumed but at a slower pace. Around 13.00 SH, JB and LN went to see TPC taking 3 scaffold bars with them. FB and MK got the drill out and, with MK mostly spectating, FB broke up the last and largest boulder with PFs. SH returned after some time, JB and LN left. FB, SH and MK then took turns poking and scraping at the sediment bank wall at the sharp end. It became apparent there was a strong icy draught coming out of a 1 inch x 1m gap above the sediment leading to a heavily calcited rock blockage ahead. The crowbar pushes through the whole way in places, but alas no black voids. Out for 15.00. Mike.

Sunday 5th July 2026

Mitch Parry +1. Three mixes of cement added to TPC dig.