This forum will be used for keeping everyone up to date with events and for general discussion.

Two contracts have just been signed by a new not for profit company called Cave Access Ltd (CAL) to provide access for cavers and mine explorers into eleven sites on former Forestry Commission Wales and on former Countryside Council for Wales land for one year. If these arrangements run smoothly then the agreements will be extended for a longer period and additional sites can then be considered.

The new access company currently has three directors, Roy Fellows, Stuart France and Dave Tyson

CAL will not be charging for permits to use the sites it manages. Insurance is via the British Caving Association’s policy which covers amateur underground activities only.

CAL is required to write Risk Assessments and Management Plans before the permit system can go operational, and this will be done in stages starting with Parc, Rhiwbach and Draethen.

It has to be clear that there is no access at present save for directors of the company and their helpers doing immediate safety work or assessments for the RAs.

On Sunday Feb 15 an initial visit was made to Parc by a party of three which included two of the directors for the purpose of assessing the current state of the workings relative to the risk assessments, plus some other work.

In several places clearance work along Principal Lode west was carried out so as to allow exploration parties to more easily keep to the footwall side to avoid the concealed or partially concealed winzes on the hanging side.

Ladder issues were addressed in western winze which leads down to deep water and ochre on route to western Cwffty.

The third ladder up from the water just below a chain ladder section was only attached at the top and wasn't actually resting on anything. As timbering under it is difficult here it was secured it to the footwall two places with chains and through bolts placed with a cordless hammer drill.

This thread will be used to keep everyone updated on latest work and events as they happen.

Schedule of Mines:
Gwrych Castle Mines, Abergele;
Parc Lead Mine, Gwydyr Forest;
Cae Coch Sulphur Mine, Gwydyr Forest;
Rhiwbach Slate Quarry, Penmachno;
Bryneglwys Quarry, Abergynolwyn;
Hendre Ddu Slate Quarry, Aberllefenni;
Henfwlch Mine, Nant-y-Moch, Ceredigion;
Minllyn Slate Quarry, Dinas Mawddwy;
Allt y Crib Lead Mine, Tal-y-Bont, Ceredigion;
Temple Mine, Rheidol Valley;
Draethen Lead Mines, Draethen, Caerphilly.

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