Entirely by chance I stumbled across this at a consultation event.

http://www.llechi.cymru/en/The-Nomination/HeritageAtWork.aspx 

I spent some time chatting with the representative from Gwynedd Council, who are presently carrying out a consultation exercise for the North Wales slate industry UNESCO bid. The representative mentioned that a common concern is from the landowners whose property is covered by the bid area... in respect of liability should members of the public fall into their holes! Obviously, this concern, and the measures which may be taken to address it, are of interest to our community.

It appears that whilst the consultation has involved local communities, farmers and industries who are near / within the bid area or may be affected by it, so far the exploration community doesn't *seem* to have been considered - unless I've missed something?

I've been given a contact email address, which is [email protected].

I have my own views on all this, over and above the usual "I like what you're doing but not the way you're going about it" comment that I make on most things these days ;)

This has been mentioned briefly but as far as I know the "exploration community" hasn't been considered. Why would we? Trespassing on private land and cheating death in a hundred different ways underground!

Perhaps some of the commercial operations have been consulted? GoBelow? Llechwedd? BounceBelow? ZipWorld? The tourist industry in general? Probably.

As far as the Nomination is concerned just look at the projection graph on P3 😮 . How can you say no to that! These reports have a habit of telling the person who commissioned the report what they want to hear. :)

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I can understand your feelings.

Despite having been at this a while, I still don't know how best to describe the collective of us, but 'exploration community' sounds reasonably respectable :lol:

The person I spoke with seemed to perk up when I mentioned how much money the group I hang about with, has put the way of a particular hostel and pub. If we don't sell ourselves, if we don't speak up, we can't complain when we get left out.

Despite having been at this a while, I still don't know how best to describe the collective of us, but 'exploration community' sounds reasonably respectable :lol:

The 'underground' part of the supporting Field Survey Report was carried out by Govannon Consultancy and at least one of the authors is a member here.

I think the overall scope of the above/below ground work covered 4 separate areas (Aberllefenni/Bryneglwys, Nantlle/Gorseddau, Dinorwig, Bethesda/Port Penrhyn) but I don't recall exactly.

I'll wait for someone who knows more about it than I do to come along and expand on this.

The "exploration community" that you refer to will be largely ignored in all of this I fear :(

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Trespassing on private land and cheating death in a hundred different ways underground!

Now there's a strapline and a half! :lol:

Trespassing on private land and cheating death in a hundred different ways underground!

Now there's a strapline and a half! :lol:

I'll get some t-shirts printed up! :lol: :lol:

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The Management Plan - 147 pages in all - can be found at:
https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Documents---Council/Have-your-say/Slates/Slate-Landscapes-ENG-190809.pdf 
or, in Welsh, at:
https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/cy/Cyngor/Dogfennau-Cyngor/Dewud-eich-dweud/Llechi-Cymru/Slate-Landscapes-CYM-190812.pdf 

There is brief mention of underground exploration on pp. 90-91.

I am currently abroad and will get back on this in about a week.
Jon

Now back in the UK. Slightly strange being in Lima in Peru, where apparently they have had no rain for 21 years, to get a message that the high water level alarm has gone off at work in Blaenau!

Seriously I don't see the bid or nomination, if it is obtained, as being a threat to responsible exploration. There are no UNESCO access police. It might discourage people from posting their dafter exploits all over the internet - I see this as a benefit.

In all my dealings with this work I have tried to stress that responsible explorers have a part to play since they will enter underground workings more frequently than others and be able to report back on any problems such as falls or vandalism.

What we do about the small number of idiots in mine exploration is another issue but if we all stick to the old saying of "take only photographs and leave only footprints" and we should be OK.

My biggest concern is that significant areas that would ideally be included in the bid are being excluded since it has been impossible to get agreement between the landowners and the council. This includes Foel Grochan and most of Maenofferen. I cannot say any more on this.