John_Smith
5 years ago
Here is the advice from MCR in the Mendips.

"A message from Martin Grass.
Honorary Secretary.
Mendip Cave Rescue.

Following on from the Prime Ministers statement on Sunday re the easing of restrictions some people have asked about caving.
Firstly I will stress that it is not Mendip Cave Rescues job to tell cavers if or where they should go caving.
However, the following should be bourne in mind.
The PM made it very clear that you can meet one friend outside keeping 2 mts distance. Caves are not outside and the caving code recommends a minimum of 4 in a group. So unless it is a family living together its difficult.
The only pastimes allowed are golf, tennis and those where social distancing can be maintained. It cannot be maintained in caving.
MCR have made certain preparations if we are called out but the practicalities of wearing PPE in a cave would make any rescue prolonged. In addition we have protocols issued by BCRC where all equipment needs to be treated with disinfectant.
Of course we would not hesitate to attend a call out but it could take longer than normal with some cavers self-isolating. Not only would rescuers be putting themselves at risk of contracting the virus from a casualty but the casualty would also be at risk from the rescuers.
The goodwill we have with landowners on Mendip could well be put in jeopardy if cavers start arriving. The club huts are all still closed as are most caves. The two longest caves, St. Cuthberts and Swildons Hole are closed to cavers until the lockdown is lifted.
Finally caving and British Caving in particular gained enormous praise from the public and great PR following on from the Thailand rescue in 2018. One rescue will put the current positive profile that caving has back for years.
So please stay safe.
Martin."
Monty Stubble
5 years ago
This from COMRU in Cumbria.

"Travel to Open Spaces but not the Mountains or Underground.

COMRU - your underground rescue team.

We cannot stress enough the importance of please staying away from underground sites in Cumbria and beyond at present.

COMRU is a volunteer rescue team whose members are highly skilled in working underground and bringing rescues to a successful conclusion. However, any rescue will put its members at risk of contracting Covid-19 virus from a casualty or fellow team member who is not showing symptoms. This will in turn have repercussions for their families, dependants and of course the NHS.

We, like our partner teams and organisations throughout the County are expecting an influx of visitors to the area following the changes to ‘lockdown’ rules, which in turn presents difficulties. Cumbria has the one of the highest infection rates in the country and we do not want to increase this. One team member becoming infected can mean that the whole of COMRU will be quarantined for 14 days. The impact of this on any future rescue response would be considerable.
The Government’s slogan is “Be Alert” and we want people to be alert to the risks you are placing on yourself and our volunteers.


Be alert that the systems that we and our partner teams have in place for COVID virus protection will mean that it will take us longer to get help to you.

Be alert that we have limited personal protective equipment, increasing the risk of cross infection to you and our members

Be alert to the fact we have to decontaminate vehicles, equipment and clothing afterwards; some of which cannot be reused and will have to be replaced

Be alert that the area’s infrastructure, still partially closed down, cannot cope with a surge of visitors.

So very much “Be Alert” but also “Be Kind”.

Be kind to our volunteers and our emergency services, be kind to our NHS, be kind to our rural communities and be kind to our farmers.

We want you to really think about your trip underground and its potential effect on others. The risk of an accident is small. The consequences of a rescue are massive.

Thank you for being kind to us. We will still do the best we can in the event of an incident."

The finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle touches of air and water working at their leisure with a liberal allowance of time.
Henry David Thoreau
PeteJ
  • PeteJ
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5 years ago
BCA have published some caving advice, which happens to mention mines. I do not think that this advice is helpful.
https://british-caving.org.uk/wiki3/doku.php 

I agree with previous comments about the depth of feeling, and fear of the Virus in rural areas of North England. Club members are generally well respected and welcome. I believe that it would hurt our cause if we were to restart our activities.

Pete
Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532
simonrl
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5 years ago
"PeteJ" wrote:

BCA have published some caving advice, which happens to mention mines. I do not think that this advice is helpful.
https://british-caving.org.uk/wiki3/doku.php 



I agree Pete, that advice is not really very helpful. Although at least it specifically mentions not to travel to, from or within Wales and Scotland.

Contrasted with the detailed advice from the BMC for walking and climbing it's a little disappointing the BCA couldn't come up with something better than - effectively - "up to you, but you probably shouldn't".

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/can-i-start-climbing-and-hill-walking-again 
my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by
Daggers
5 years ago
alex17595
5 years ago
"Daggers" wrote:

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/chaos-dovestone-reservoir-motorists-flock-18253241?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

This is what happened this week after travel restrictions were lifted, sad really the virus has not gone away.




It's people like this who are going to ruin it for everybody else. Hopefully it will calm down as time goes on.

I went to a quieter part of the peak district the other day to walk around some surface remains and saw a whole 6 people on a 2.5 hour walk! I really don't understand how you can enjoy being around that many people in the current climate.
sinker
  • sinker
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5 years ago
"alex17595" wrote:



"Daggers" wrote:

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/chaos-dovestone-reservoir-motorists-flock-18253241?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar



It's people like this who are going to ruin it for everybody else.....I really don't understand how you can enjoy being around that many people in the current climate.



As my mate said the other day when he drove past a 1.5mile / 2 hour traffic jam of people waiting to get into a newly re-opened KFC...…… "Lemmings"

These folks don't have the knowledge or imagination to get off the beaten path or to find themselves "new" places.....they just stick to what they know.
I'm not being offensive or snooty about it...they just don't know any better :(


Yma O Hyd....
Peter Burgess
Tamarmole
  • Tamarmole
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5 years ago
Now we are further down the line I wonder if people's views have changed?

I went underground today for; the first time since the lockdown started. Since lockdown was relaxed I have been doing the odd socially distanced walk with one of my chums, today we decided to get back underground. We did an easy SRT trip with a spot of gentle digging at the end.

In justifying the trip to myself my criteria included: (1) The other person has been in my very limited bubble since we were allowed to socialise in a socially distanced manner (2) The trip was local (fifteen minute drive) (3) We know the mine extremely well (4) What we did was well within our capabilities.
pwhole
  • pwhole
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5 years ago
But we need to know - did you cough on any of the hangers? 😉
ttxela
  • ttxela
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5 years ago
"Tamarmole" wrote:

Now we are further down the line I wonder if people's views have changed?



I'd be interested to know too. Nikki and I had our first outing of any distance yesterday to walk through the woods in a nature reserve half an hour or so away from our house by car. Prior to that we have just been walking from our door and have kayaked on the local river.

I've certainly not been underground. For me that involves travelling 2 or three hours at least by car to a national park. When these things first became permissible a few weeks ago we were left with the feeling that although it was allowed there was still a fairly large percentage of local opinion that would prefer we didn't, not just for underground trips but even just walking - including the MRT's and CRT's (albeit phrased rather diplomatically).

I'm wondering if this feeling has subsided at all?

With shops opening today and caravan sites and such possibly opening early next month I guess there is something for local folks to gain in terms of economic benefit of visitors at least, is the mood changing in places like The Peak, The Lakes and Cornwall in terms of receptiveness to visitors? It would be good to know before I jump in the car.
royfellows
5 years ago
I went for a ride around the Peak District yesterday and did a bit of walking. Quite a few people about but not as many as I would expect. One conclusion is why does it have to be on a Sunday, next time I pick a weekday.

First time away from the house for 3 months except for shopping, just felt good to get away. Be a while before I get underground though.
My avatar is a poor likeness.
Tamarmole
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5 years ago
"pwhole" wrote:

But we need to know - did you cough on any of the hangers? ;)



;D
Tamarmole
  • Tamarmole
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5 years ago
"ttxela" wrote:

"Tamarmole" wrote:

Now we are further down the line I wonder if people's views have changed?



I'd be interested to know too. Nikki and I had our first outing of any distance yesterday to walk through the woods in a nature reserve half an hour or so away from our house by car. Prior to that we have just been walking from our door and have kayaked on the local river.

I've certainly not been underground. For me that involves travelling 2 or three hours at least by car to a national park. When these things first became permissible a few weeks ago we were left with the feeling that although it was allowed there was still a fairly large percentage of local opinion that would prefer we didn't, not just for underground trips but even just walking - including the MRT's and CRT's (albeit phrased rather diplomatically).

I'm wondering if this feeling has subsided at all?

With shops opening today and caravan sites and such possibly opening early next month I guess there is something for local folks to gain in terms of economic benefit of visitors at least, is the mood changing in places like The Peak, The Lakes and Cornwall in terms of receptiveness to visitors? It would be good to know before I jump in the car.



Down here in the South West people are out and about again.
Recently Mrs Tamarmole and I went for a walk up at Minions and the place was heaving, Bob W and I went up to Fogggintor Quarry on Dartmoor and again it was heaving. Yesterday the village I live in was packed, it felt like a bank holiday, I had trouble parking my car for the first time in months.

My take is that it is ok to go for a day out but avoid honeypot sites and respect social distancing.
royfellows
5 years ago
"Tamarmole" wrote:


................... avoid honeypot sites .............



Or do them on a weekday
;D
My avatar is a poor likeness.
PeteJ
  • PeteJ
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5 years ago
Generally bear in mind that rescue teams are not fully functional and would also have to use PPE.
Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532
pwhole
  • pwhole
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5 years ago
I've had to get the bus from Sheffield to Bradwell and back a few times recently (working on a shaft collar - surface!), and it's been virtually empty or totally empty every time. Bradwell village is dead as a dodo, at least in terms of folks walking about. I hear some of the 2nd-homers have returned ;)

I haven't been to Castleton in four months, so I don't really know what's going on. I gather folks are walking on the hill, but I have a horrible feeling Suicide Cave at the bottom of Winnats Pass may need hosing out! The bottom is an apt description for that place sometimes. Still, not as enterprising as the used condom I found last year inside Windy Knoll Cave, way past daylight in the muddy dig area. I'm afraid my litter-collection talents don't stretch to that.

Some members have been working on our hut individually doing repairs, but we're known and it's very low-key anyway. But no idea what the shops are doing yet, though they may have re-opened today. I guess the showcaves will be the best test of when it's acceptable to visit. Though whether they're safe to visit remains to be seen. I can't see Speedwell managing it, for example.
BertyBasset
5 years ago
A fair proportion of the UK appear to think it's over. Personally, I'm carrying on in Lockdown. Supermarket twice a week, hour's walk a day, 2m regardless of what Pob might want to impose on us economic units. Next door had loads of people milling about in his house, and I doubt they are his 'locked in' bubble.

I'm hoping for the Covid 'dark matter' but if that's a fallacy, I'm keeping my horns in.
Speedycaver
5 years ago
I am reading these comments and see the same thing my neighbour is doing. He is going out in his car for no reason but insists that it's OK because he washes his hands and stays away from other people.

You go out in your car, you risk catching or worse, spreading the virus.

You will need to fuel up.... Risk- contaminated surfaces and coming into contact with other people.
You may break down.... Risk- you may need to be recovered and risk contact with the recovery guy.
You may have an accident.... Risk- Police, ambulance, bystanders, etc,..
Parking... Risk- etc,.

The virus has not gone away and the lockdown has not been lifted. Travel if absolutely necessary or else you are no different than the crowds in the hills, in the towns or on the beaches.

If I want exercise there are convenient pavements right outside my house, I'd don't need to drive to the nearest park to find them. I live in a City and would love a walk in the Countryside but I am still isolating as best I can as I will be out of a job if a serious second wave hits.
Peter Burgess
5 years ago
I use Pay at Pump and use gloves when I have had to fill up. Granted, not everyone has one conveniently close by.

Disclaimer: Mine exploring can be quite dangerous, but then again it can be alright, it all depends on the weather. Please read the proper disclaimer.
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