Sunday 7th December 2025

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Ownership of the land has changed and we are asking about parking and other access arrangements.

We should not drive up, park or go across to the dig at all until we know more.

Hopefully update soon.

**

Wednesday 3rd December 2025

 Eds Bet

Ed Ford and Mike Wise entered WR at 1830. We took 2 drills, batteries, plug and feathers and a crowbar. Got to Eds Bet which looked to be fairly sketching digging. EF started by removing some sizable blocks from the floor working above 2 larger blocks. Some of the removed blocks had holes on the sides from the 12g bang of the Up&Over Boulder - one of the bigger ones brutally attacked one of MWs fingers whilst being wrestled into its storage location 😢.

Once a bit of loose fill had been removed, it was clear there was a drop below taking some time for loose rocks to fall and a flowstone covered vertical fault wall was visible.

 EF asked MW to take a look to ensure he didn't bring the roof down on him. MW then took a turn removing some of the spoil and a few loose rocks threatening to drop on anyone venturing below the the 2 larger blocks. The drop below became more visible but all looked reasonably stable considering.

We swapped again and EF went below the two larger blocks. Down here there is sizable space between the bedding. Some overly large rocks were lifted out before the whole floor became quite unstable. Careful footing was required at this point and MW requested that EF refrain from getting sucked down into a loose rock funnel as it was nearing pub time. All the rock was removed bar one which was far bigger than could be lifted. To this point we hadn't used the P&F and decided we didn't have time to retrieve the hammer from Tea Party. EF instead opted to remove the keystone holding it and drop it. It dropped a couple of inches onto a shelf also exposing a body sized hole. EF headed through the hole to explore the new bit before heading out reaching the surface at 2100 for a celebratory pint and a cheese&onion roll. The new bit looks promising and is not fully explored - we will be back. It is still a 2 caver job.

Ed Ford and Mike Wise

 Edit - in the initial rock removal EF found an artefact, that despite its resemblance to the plug of a 14mm plug & feather set, we are convinced is a bone from the mysterious and long extinct Sabre Toothed White Rabbit.  We left it in situ pending professional examination. 

 Photo added of MW finger after cleaning- photo credit S.

Wise 

 

Friday 21st November 2025

Mike Kushy, Hollie London, Alessio Sancetta, Sam Chung, Tuska, Wayne Starsmore, John Cooper and Brian Prewer. We all met around 2.30 and quickly went over how to set up the radio location equipment. Then MK, HL, AS and SC went to the first chamber on the old route in, just to check comms. Comms was established but too close to the iron ladders to Radio Locate. We then all headed to TPC to set up. SC and AS worked on this whilst MK and HL cleared The Hookah Pipe of the bang spoil and tried to divert puddles. Once TPC was located HL, AS and SC went on to MHH...I also believe the team carried on digging out channels to the far corner and the water reaches there now. Meanwhile MK made 2 mixes and carried on with supporting the landing pad. The MHH location sounded really successful (although comms weren't great), now to cross reference with the survey. 1 drum of sand, 1 of cement, lots of stone dust and water in cave. Mike.

AS and JC setting up on surface. Photo SC.

WS, AS, HL, T and MK. Photo SC.

AS on comms in TPC. Photo SC.

HL and AS in MHH. Photo SC.

The Hookah Pipe after clearing. Photo MK.

Friday 14th November 2025

Mike Kushy and Sam Hill. Possibly the wettest day of the year so far with 1 1/2 inch of rain in Priddy within 24 hours, fairly warm though. We took in 2 drills, HE and a full size spade. The entrance shaft was wet and loads of inlets higher up than we've ever seen before. Surprisingly the Lower Bedding and Cement Dig had no drips at all, whereas this used to be the wettest area. SH used his drill to put an anchor in for the Light Connection rope (need to take mallion in for this), whilst MK set to laying in a puddle drilling shot holes in The Hookah Pipe. Really apparent and cold draught coming out from MHH today. SH then went into MHH with the spade for some mud mining, he also took some footage. MK then finished holes and joined SH where we started digging away mud from the far corner. Massive lake in the chamber, but not as much water coming in as I thought there would be. MK laid the charge with SH assisting. On the way out SH went to check out Puddle Dig and reported there's a clear puddle but it's not as deep as it should be considering the amount of water coming in! All fired fine. 2 1/2 hours. Mike.

Video of MHH in flood, by SH.

MK in MHH. Photo SH

Wednesday 12th November 2025

Ed Ford and Mark Edwards went down 1815. One cement and one sand taken down. Hookah Pipe cleared of bang debris. A torrent of water was coming down in Mad Hatters Hall with the current dig flooded. This is definitely taking the water though as it flows into it. No problem with air. Felt fresher in Mad Hatters Hall than rest of cave! Out by 2030. Ed.