Red Rose Cave and Pothole Club Newsletter No. 3 1959

RED ROSE POTHOLE CLUB

Honorary Secretary: Honorary Treasurer: 

D. MARSDEN, R. A. BLISS,
4 Rydal Road. 9 Summersgill Road,
Lancaster. Lancaster.

Honorary President: J. EYRE. Esq.

A NEWS LETTER FROM THE SILENT SERVICE

We must apologies to our regular readers? for the slight delay between publications (2 years). To bring our newsletter up to date an attempt was made to delve into the records of 1958/9. After a months feverish searching several scraps of paper were, unearthed, all covered in a semi-illegible scrawl. A few weeks later these were deciphered and the following conclusion drawn:-

"That in Ye Yeare 1958 Ye Clube was very idle". .

CONDENSED REPORT 1958

NOTTS POT As is our wont Notts Pot was attacked early in the year. It fought back with its usual tenacity. Water proved our undoing; there was just too much of it. .

RUMBLING HOLE Large numbers descended but idiots in the lead mixed up the ladders, and the bottom was only reached after everybodies boot-laces had been pressed into service. The return journey was brought to a chaotic climax when the first man climbed the last 135 feet to look for the surface party.

KIRK POT/SPUTNIK/UPPER GUNBARREL An open pot below Easegill Kirk was discovered and explored. A wide bedding plane sloped down to rift passages. Two pitches led to a large stream passage which became choked. This pot is believed to have been discovered before, but periodically becomes choked with debris. Easegill in heavy flood is engulfed by this cave with ease and it is worthy of further attention.

Several members were lost about this time:- Dan Archer disappeared into the Merchant Navy. Esky disappeared into hospital after a road accident. Other, just disappeared.

Permission was obtained for several digs on Lock Fell and hopes ran high ----------------- Alas.

WITCHES CAVE Two happy hours were spent floating on inner tubes and generally splashing about in a pool beyond the first syphon. A further syphon barred progress.

Scaling tackle (iron bedsteads) were carried from Witches Cave to Bull Pot in readiness for further scaling. The only scaling that took place was the steady scaling of the scaling tackle as they corroded away.

LITTLE HULL POT For the first time the club visited this pot and assuredly it will not be the last. A most enjoyable trip was had down a delightful hole. The only blot on the landscape being a character, who shall be nameless, as requested, threw down the life line - Unfortunately neglecting to hold one end.

WASHFOLD POT A skirmish between this "Fearsome Gulfe" and three fanatics, who carried the tackle in, looked down the big pitch, and carried all the tackle out again. Phew a near thing. “This was a CLUB MEET" (A strange custom that is carried out at irregular intervals).

PENYGHENT LONG CHURN, COWSKULL, CROSS POT, JACKDAW. Two weekends were spent in this area , and Cowskull revealed a further pitch which proved too tight to descend. Penyghent Long Churn was in use by some strange bode who had even stranger system of descent. A vintage rope was belayed some distance away, disappearing through a four inch crack at the head of the pitch. Four feet lower down the ladder was tied, and then three feet down this came a crab, to which a life was attached. Phew! Although intrigued by this unorthodox technique we laddered the pitch separately, but were disappointed when our acrobatic friends came out on our tackle. Digging at Jackdaw and Cowskull could easily lead to an extension.

COW POT CASTERTON A small part descended and a happy time was had in the mud. Several new pitches were found, all leading to Fall Pot. The big pitch as descended by two victims to ascertain the depth, either our ladders have shrunk or the pitch is 10 feet deeper. The bottle chamber claimed several victims on the return journey. For whilst some of our members are good at sliding down unlike the YoYo they cannot return with the same alacrity.

SIMPSON/SWINSTO This long postponed epic was at last brought to a satisfactory conclusion. This was only made possible by the large number of small boys employed by the B.P.C. to act as human belays.

However a great time was had by all concerned, and, it is bo1ievd that all, including the belays, returned, to the surface. A slight mishap down Rowten Pot by another club was dealt with at the same time.
Digging was resumed in the Sand Caverns, Petersen Pot, Pippikin Pot, in Kingsdale, Lock, Casterton, and all places north of Kirkby. Not result ----- BLISTERS.

Lancaster Easegill, Bar Pot were adopted as country seats by some members during the active season, only to emerge for the Club Dinner a report of which is to be found further down, if you care to persevere.
The only casualty during the year occurred at the Club Dinner, and this was when the M.C. after a hectic night slowly lost contact with his surroundings.

THE CLUB DINNER (The only meet we get a 100% turn out)

The Dinner was hold at the Flying Horseshoes with the usual verve and gusto. Guests from other clubs:-
P.Tyas (Craven), the Landlord, C. Chattaway (N.P.C.) A.Hurworth (B.P.C.) R. Dixon (W. R. p. C.) & P. Scofiold (N. S. G.) Immediately following the Dinner was the usual Tape Type Show, to wit, The Red Rose on the Moon, and then the ‘Turns” which have now become a traditional part of the Dinner. First before anyone had time to move from the table, in dashed the Christmas Fairy, complete with big boots, hairy chest, wings and wand e.g. Arthur Woodall, followed by Father Christmas enveloped in a white beard and red coat. Father gave out the presents, and the Fairy witty remarks. Next came two dark skinned gentlemen from the East (J. Eyre & T. Sykes) who were beautifully attired in flannelette nightgowns and fancy Fez. The highlight of their act was the “charming” of a string of sausages with the aid of a tin whistle. . Following this was a duet ably rendered by R. Reynolds and his partner in crime H. North. Then a madrigal by a couple of Ancient Britons (R .Bliss & M. Booth), only one thing spoilt this act, it was too short. Top of the Bill was well received by everybody except Sam the dog, who took an active dislike to Eric Walker impersonating Ertha Kitts "You can Have It” with the aid of a tape recorder. This was followed by an impromptu live impersonation of Eartha’s "Uner the Bridges of Paris" by a friend of Ray Barker. The whole evening was ably compared by our M.C. D. Marsden and music was provided by Bill Leyland and his two friends. Then we started on the serious part of the evening.

1959

NOTTS POT Feb 1st The first meet of the year Notts Pot (what Again) and this time the pot was bottomed, but not without a complete soaking on the last two pitches, . Party J. Eyre. A Woodall, M. Booth, M. Bateson, R. Bliss, D. Marsden, and E. Walker.

LINDAL IN FURNESS Feb 8th A small party led by E. Holland descended an interesting cave which mostly consisted of a network of tubular passages probably of phreatic origin. Of more interest however was the fact that the cave was three parts full of heavy deposits of RED GLUTINOUS MUD, which soon transformed the party into cumbersome nonentites only distinguishable as humans by the beady eyes that peered from each moving pile of mud. Several interesting mud formations were observed. A depression in the floor was dug out in the final chamber, and a ladder stuck in the mud served as a belay, and a means of descent to a narrow stream passage, which soon became blocked by mine debris. The air was foul and a quick retreat was made to the surface .The ice in a nearby pond was broken and an uncomfortable wash only led to the mud being spread out giving everybody a healthy tan. Verdict a good dig by keen types would reveal more of the cave under the mud, Party E Holland, & brother, H. North, J. Eyre M. Booth & M. Bateson.

ROSEBAY POT Feb 22nd This small hole, was bottomed in double quick time, and after looking at the state of the roof, the return journey was effected with the aid of rockets. On the surface everyone congratulated himself on returning alive, ticked off the hole in his Pennine Underground, and returned to the Shoes to calm his nerves, Party R. Bliss, M. Booth A. Woodall, and D Marsden,.

LOST JOHNS EASTER Another club did valiant work, their letter for permission having reached first.

PETERSEN POT Digging was resumed and the floor, of the final chamber was lowered until the top of a small passage was uncovered. Unfortunately a sheep decided to lay down and die above the entrance pitch, and as the weather and sheep became warmer our ardour became cooler, A few months were allowed to pass, before we returned complete with bang, An offending flake. was removed, a bat rudely awakened, and the sheep rolled over, Four potholers trembled while the roof shuddered. The next week a short dig revealed an eyehole in the passage. What further digging will reveal is yet to come, but there is a lot more to Petersen than appears at the moment.

CRACK POT APRIL Due to the fell being closed down Easegill was out of bounds, so a quick change in favour of Crack Pot was made at the bottom of Bull Pot Lane. It turned out to be a day full of bumps and bruises, first Hon. Pres. and wife on Matchless argued with the bonnet of a car one pair of bent forks, and a bruise on wife’s leg. Fortunately Bev’s van had elastic sides, so they deserted their machine and piled in it. This van was tailed all the way by a vintage baby Austin, which had four buckled wheels of different sizes, and two motor bikes. Stops were made for cheese and ale and eventually everyone arrived at Crack Pot. This was found to be an unspoilt cave festooned with straw stalactites. Whilst Bev was trying to swim upstream in a leaky suit, a dry passage was found that took the party beyond to a large chamber with unique formations that resembled some fantastic moonscape. Here an unstable wall overhung a steep slope to regions below, and this is where bump two occurred. Several people had navigated the loose rocks carefully Then along came a bod with size 15’s and a flaying movement as he placed them on the ground. Several rocks were dislodged and one member of the party escaped a fractured skull by the narrowest of margins. He stood up covered in blood but luckily the cut was only superficial, Bump number three came outside when the receiver and the donner of the rock came off the same bike.. Party:- J.R. Eyre, B. Stevens, R. Bliss, D. Marsden, K. Watson & mate, D. Leach and mate.

HUNT POT APRIL J. Eyre & D. Marsdcn enjoyed the latters sandwiches whilst gaily dangling their legs over the edge. (CLUB MEET)

HERON POT May (Thinks) Being only a small hole we can go down in our shirt sleeves. - A delightful hole, completely ruined by a wet pitch which was entirely unforeseen. The camera addicts Ron and Bev were horrified when this was encountered and beat a hasty retreat, The keen? types carried on with the water until from a surprisingly large chamber it ran into an equally low bedding plane. Fresh was wafting up this passage and one youth on his own went to the daylight. According to Pennine Underground one can get out, but unfortunately the water level was just too high. Party:- J. Eyre, D. Marsden, D. Leach, R. Bliss, and B. Stevens.

WASHFOLD POT Party T. Sykes R. Barker, R. Penhale, J. Eyre, M. Booth, D. Marsden, D. Leach & mate. (Guest Keith Asquith B.P.C.) An advantage was taken of the drought a strong party was mustered and the last farewells said. The going to the head of the big pitch was found to be quite strenuous and at several places tackle was relayed from man to man The Pres. travelled in like manner, until he came to rest in the chamber above the first pitch where he was gently placed on a coil of rope. Here he rested while some of our occasional members struggled to ladder the big pitch. The descent was made while odd bods sat in the passage thereby making an effective dam against the stream. Needless to say everyone still got battered by the water.

Once down, a transformation takes place, several rock and calcite formations delight the eye of the somewhat wet and miserable potholer, as he makes his way along the rift that makes up this lower section. Several traverses have to be made and a variety of routes are offered. Until a ruckle of boulders leads to a hundred foot rope pitch and the sump.

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On this meet we had as a guest an easy going likeable chap, who enjoyed the trip immensely. Little did anyone know that in seven months time our good friend Keith Asquith would be no longer with us. It was with shock and regret that we learned of his fatal accident, and untimely death.

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A good trip was had by all except Mick Booth who was lifelined up the big pitch by a churly youth who was belayed four hairpin bends away, and a sigh of relief went up as his portly rear vanished over the brink.

A.G. POT June 21st. The glorious summer had taken a heavy toll of the club members and a colour bar was established, whereby an over increasing number of ‘dark skinned characters refused to leave the warmth of the sun. Brainwashing took place frequently and the ranks of the palefaces steadily diminished as week by week members were won over to the enemy. In desperation a party descended A. G. in conditions that were ideal, even for the more imaginative, who after the last encounters were worrying about an heavy dew flooding the hole The tortuosities of the ball bearing and helictites crawls were soon passed and once more we were brought to a stop at the rock fall that had halted us before Once again a search was made for a way on but without success. Then two of the party were reported missing, Dad Sykes and Mick Bateson, and owing to the restricted nature of the cave they could only be in front. It we then that the cowardly Pres. who had an abhorrent dislike for crawls reported an impossible gap below the blocks. With complete disregard for his delicate features he was forced through with various aids and threats. The nature of the cave changed at once into much larger passages & chambers, often covered with formations. A Ladder was found leading to the final chamber and our two lost friends. The pot ended in a hole in the floor, the High Level was seen to go on, but a tentive traverse led to nothing.
Party. B. Barker, T. Sykes, J. Eyre, M Bateson, D. Marsden, D. Leach.

JULY As hosts of the C.RG. Northern Meet a trip was arranged but unfortunately an accident at Dow Cave occurred and only a hand full went down, and went to the C.R.G. Extension.

CLUB HOLIDAYS .

Feeling the urge to spend, some club members spent a fortnight on Austria, coming back with tales of cheap booze and a fortnights solid rain. Others went to St. Ives and came back s black as coal and with strained eyeballs.

HULL POT Sept 27th. Some curious types entered the "Abandon Hope" regions of Hull Pot, and after taking it in turns to stand up to the neck in water and peer unbelievingly at a minute water filled crack, a vow was made that all would read "Underground Adventure" and call it bottomed. We dejectedly made our way back across the moor and met two fugitives from the N.P.C. who were conducting a scientific experiment on how far a penny banger would lift a tin can. Once this was assessed they informed us that High Hull was open, led us to the hole, watched us ladder it, and then filled it full of acrid smoke from more penny bangers, this completed they headed up Penyghent chortling madly. The hole consisted of more or less one pitch except for a short tunnel like connection to the lower half where digging was in progress. Party J. Eyre, M. Booth, J. Newton, R. Brakcwcll, D. Marsden.

STREAM PASSAGE A small party of ex-members descended this hole, and although the hole was dry, they returned to the “Shoes” in a terrible condition

MEREGILL POT As the drought continued and Richard wanted a trip before leaving for the Matropalis., we descended this Honourable Hole. It proved an easy trip, in fact so easy that to simulate normal conditions and liven up the proceedings, Jim a Mick baled out the pool just inside the entrance, this was not appreciated by those just coming out. Then Henry North fell in the deep pool below, and this was appreciated by everyone except Henry. Four people journeyed to the sump, and thought they were in new stuff, The whole journey only took five hours, and just about reached Bar Pot standard, Once again the weather broke as we pulled out the last ladders. Party. J. Eyre, M. Booth, M. Bateson, T. Sykcs, H. North, R. Reynolds, R. Brakewell, D. Marsden.

EASEGILL

Throughout the year a considerable amount of work as been put in by the club members. A topography of the system is being produced, and this is no mean task, However by working our way from Lancaster Hole Lid we have made some interesting discoveries and observations. Eventually in July we reached the C.R.G. extension and from the undisturbed floor realised that only a tentative exploration had been completed, by two or three people. August found us surveying and from this more exploration started. Scaling ladders were taken in, but brought no results. Then in September by climbing and traversing a large inlet was entered, and from this a traverse led to a low crawl, that ended in a surprisingly large chamber. While surveying this new stuff more blocked passages were found that needed enlarging. November and fluoroscin brought several interesting results. The water from the new chamber, Cobweb Chamber, came out at the far end of Limerick passages. The top of the pitch at the far end of the C.R.G. extension was enlarged and a descent made via a roomy chamber. A very tight zig-zag crawl in water almost brought us through to Wisdom Tooth, but became just too tight. In December Wisdom Tooth was entered via Bradshaw's Passage and the C.R.G. extension waterfall met. New passages from Limerick Passage brought us to a chamber in which we found a bat, at least when one member stood on it, it squeaked, the passage continued but became rather dangerous. A small grotto with unique formations was entered near Easter Grotto. This brought the end of the year and

THE CLUB DINNER

This is our only claim to fame, and we reached a low as low as ever. After the dinner, and the traditional tape type show, in which G.G. was heard rolling down Trow Gill, Flying through the air, and being turned inside out. The artistes took the stage (Six feet by two). First were “Les Girles” Rose Judith & Marion who performed with great gusto “Walk down the Avenue”. Tom Sykes and Jim Eyre did a "Tom Dooley" act accompanied, or should we say exterminated, by the pianist, who played with wild abandon the wrong tune. Then as top of the bill, Bill Leyland Eric Walker, and Dave Marsden dressed in lunatics night shirts and balloons, rendered “Sisters”, but whose ever hoard of a sister with a
BEARD?

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Jim Eyre who wrote this journal, and Dave Marsden who put in all the spelling erers, hope that other club members will overcome their natural shyness, and profer their literary works for the next journal, which will be brought out as soon, or as late as we have enough written down.