Red Rose Cave and Pothole Club - Bulletin No 1 (undated)
RED ROSE CAVE AND POTHOLE
CLUB
BULLETIN NO.1.
The membership of the club is still small, which is
surprising owing to the fact that Lancaster is the nearest City to
the land Potholes, namely “West Riding”. Over the past twelve
month however our activities have been many though parties small. The
three chief stalworths have been Bliss,
Leyland and the Hon. Sec. W. Taylor.
Regarding tackle the amount is small i.e. Rope ladder 200 ft.
Ropes: 2, life lines 100 ft. and several belays and 1 digger. One 25 ft.
ladder and one digger were stolen from Bull Pot Farm. Regarding tackle however,
no real attempt has been made so no Big Pots have been done. Also no
one seems keen enough to make same. Tackle is kept at Redwell,
Ingleton, and Bull Pot Farm. One bright spark
however is the kind offer by Mr. Bowerins the owner
of Casterton fell, of the use of a room at Bull Pot Farm. A stove has been
installed and the only conditions are that we do not inconvenience Mr. Pearson
the farmer.
Regards Casterton and Leck Fells the club has a free hand. Mr, Sweattenham is a decent chap
and permission to use Leck has been freely given for the asking. Regards Mr.
Pearson I can safely say he is our friend indeed. But woe betide
anyone who goes against his instructions,
PHOTOGRAPHY.
We have in Ronald Bliss a very great asset. Though only potholing for
roughly 18 months and underground photography for same, he
now ranks with the Country’s best. His photographs are the best and the
price to fit any club members pocket. William Leyland our humourous “Hammer Chewer” also possesses a good camera but lacks (IT.) Never
mind Bill the Army will teach you everything.
Tom Sykes one of our latest recruits shows signs of being a real Potholer
though army service will soon be spoiling his pitch.
Activities over the last twelve months:-
Bull Pot has been descended many times probably 6 descents. .
Pippikin our “Waterloo” took 7 descents and after
heartbreaking work narrowed down. But ventilation proves the area to be
one of the best. .
Gunnerfleet Cave Ribblehead took up three Sundays. .
Browgill Cave Ribblesdale - 2 descents.
.
The "Cavern" Ireby Fell was also
bottomed. Marble Steps (less said the better). Gavel Pot proved a
delightful pot. Peterson Pot well we had a good laugh down there.
Smokey Hole a “Dead End”. To be smoked out by the lighting of Heather
and Old overalls was also something to be experienced to be believed. Cow Pot
was also descended. A lamb being rescue. by J. Eyre. Another Pot with
a familiar name was also descended.
—2—
Oxford Pot has taken much time, but
the breakthrough to the Master Cave proved the most fruitful. Ease Gill Master
Cave is I think the finest Cavern yet known in Great Britain. Though in fact
the Cavern entered is the Far reaches of Lancaster Pot there
is still I think at least 2 miles of passages awaiting exploration, survey
and photography.
Bliss I’m sure will do the job successfully, survey I think is in
very cable hands; A. Gemmel of the "Northern
Pennine Club." Labourers will be provided.
Volunteers hand names into Hon. Secretary (Don’t Rush.)
Transport (Terrible.)
Taylors "Sunbeam" 1927 plods gamely on, but needs a
rest at times. R. Bliss B.S.A. 350. "Well, how it
goes I don’t. know." J. Eyre our Hon. Treasurer's 500 cc. New
Hudson well, well, anyone who rides. same with him driving has my
blessing may he R.I.P.
At the moment it is in dry dock after jumping hedges near Kirby Lonesdale. Leyland 2 POP keeps a-popping. G Cornes our “Pennine” friend’s combination keeps
us above water. If the day dawns when Cornes
says “Not today Gentlemen, we’ll all be Ramblers"
Cash in Hand.
Our Hon. Treasurer J. Eyre informs me we are worth £15. Poor show,
open the walls and let out the moths.
Lecture.
The lecture given at the Storey Institute proved a success to it's sponsors B.E.N.A., and a source of delight to the
Red Rose. Slides made by R. Bliss were excellent. Cartoon slides by J.
Eyre great.
In all not a bad show for a club our size but
let us have a better New Year.
W. Taylor.
Hon. Secretary.