NEWS AND INFORMATION

BCA advice on Covid19 and caving

The BCA has issued an updated statement on caving and Covid. It is well worth reading and can be downloaded at this link. Active caving and mining members are strongly advised to read it.

Andy Farrow

We've heard from caving contacts that Andy Farrow has sadly died from a heart attack while being treated for Covid19. Please contact the Club for more details. This is a stark and sad reminder of how important it is not to become complacent about Covid19 at this time.

Annual Dinner 2020

All being well, the Dinner and Dance will be held on 28th November at Bramhall Golf Club as in previous years. This will be a bit of a special event as it celebrates 60 years of the DCC. This year, we may also be inviting representatives from various local clubs with which we have been associated over the years; if you know someone who you think should be invited, let the Committee know. The booking system will be opened in due course. Non-members and guests should ask a member to book on their behalf. The Dinner is always a great social event and a chance for partners to meet. Normally, at least 50 to 60 attend so make sure you get there. At the Dinner, we also give out awards for Caver of the Year, Mighty Miner and so on. Keep an eye on this item or Facebook for more details.

Caving during the crisis - update

The Committee feels that the time has come when we can relax our policy a little on caving during the crisis. Our advice is that small groups (3 or 4 members) could go caving under these conditions: (a) that you do not go if you have any suspicion of being infected, (b) that you maintain a safe distance so far as is possible (i.e. 2 metres), (c) that you avoid difficult or dangerous trips that make rescue more likely and (d) that you take more care than usual to maintain good hygiene. Face masks obviously make a difference but we appreicate that they are not always practicable. Allan is hoping to restart some SRT practice for small groups and there will undoubtedly be some jobs at Alderley where help is required.

DCC Diamond anniversary celebration postponed

For obvious reasons, the celebration due to take place near Buxton at the start of July has been postponed for a year. Although we may all hope to be clear of the crisis by then, the uncertainty means that the risk is too great. The event is being re-planned for 10th and 11th July 2021 - if things are back to normal by then. We can still hope that the Annual Dinner in November will go ahead and should be quite a special "do" as a result. Keep well and keep fit - there'll be a lot of caving to catch up in the future!

Coronavirus fatality among former DCC members

Sadly, we have heard that Geoff Blair, a member in the early 1980s, has died as a result of the virus. Geoff was on the SIMA GESM expedition in 1982 as can be read in the newsletter of that time. Our thoughts must go to all who knew Geoff - and all those others suffering from this disease.

Matienzo is cancelled!

Due to the virus and uncertainty about access in Spain as a result, this year's expeditions at Easter and in the Summer have been cancelled. This means that the 60th year celebrations for the expedition have also been cancelled and like the DCC 60th celebrations, will take place in 2021 - all being well.

Coronavirus and trips to the mines

In view of the outbreak of Coronavirus, we have now cancelled all future mine trips and the Open Weekend in September. The next Open Weekend should be in April 2021 when we can only hope that the crisis has past its peak.

DCC Shop now open

The pages on the website where T-shirts, hoodies, badges, etc can be bought have been revamped. The stock of each size is shown. Members can use this page and others (non-members) can use this page. When you buy an item, you will be taken to PayPal and will see your "cart" so that you can change the quantity or add more items. If you want the items posting to you, please add an appropriate amount for post and packing. If you try to order more than there is stock, you will be charged by PayPal but the Treasurer can refund you for the items unavailable.

Meets List

Although the events on this website have details of trips during the year, members will find more details on the Club Facebook page. Use the link at the bottom of the home page and members' pages to go to the Club Facebook page.

More about the Alderley Mines

The new edition of Chris Carlon's Alderley Edge Mines book is for sale from the publisher and from Amazon. Copies are also available at the Club's Open Weekends and from the Club shop. The book has been heavily revised and describes all the main mines in detail. It remains a useful companion to the Alderley Edge Story published in 2016. Contact Nigel for further details. The cost is £12 POST FREE from Nigel.

Caving and mining log

The most recent items on the caving and mining log can now be viewed in brief in this panel. Click on the section below that says: news | events | log. Remember to add a record of your own trips.

CALENDAR
AND MEETS LIST

Click the number for details.

455: Monday 10/08/2020
General Meeting

452: Saturday 05/09/2020 to Sunday 06/09/2020
Open Weekend - Wood Mine or Engine Vein

456: Monday 12/10/2020
General Meeting

457: Monday 07/12/2020
Annual General Meeting

458: Friday 09/07/2021 to Sunday 11/07/2021
DCC 60th Bash in Derbyshire

Members may be able to view more events on the DCC calendar that we do not make public.

RECENT CAVING
AND MINING TRIPS

Click the entry for detail.

14th December 2019:
Moorfurlong Mine
30th Nov - 1st Dec 2019:
Bagshawe Cavern and Jugholes
4-8 July 2019:
NAMHO Conference - Mid-Wales
17th February 2019:
Great Douk Cave - Yorkshire
16th February 2019:
Alum Pot Yorkshire
26th January 2019:
Stoney Middleton Dale and Oxlow
16th December 2018:
Mouldridge Mine
27th October 2018:
Cwmorthin Slate Mine
6th October 2018:
P8, Derbyshire
29 July - 19 August 2018:
Matienzo 2018
22-27 June 2018:
Polish Trip

Members may be able to view more log entries on the DCC log that we do not make public.