Vandalism in Browns Folly · AditNow Community

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royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

9 years ago

The scumbags have been at it in there, here is a link to photos etc uploaded to UKC

http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=19652.msg252615;topicseen#new

My avatar is a poor likeness.

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ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

An ongoing story as you know Roy ;(

As you will also know admirable efforts are made down there to rectify the damage caused. This seems to be resented by some and provokes further damage.

Do I understand there is some indication that a group from Belper may be involved? Seems a long way away?

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

9 years ago

They should have gone down Talybont instead, then they would have ended up behind all the concrete I am pouring.
:lol:

My avatar is a poor likeness.

rufenig
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

It amazes me that the owners (Avon Wildlife Trust) seem to be not interested in what is happening.
They are well aware of the situation but do not seem to want to take control of the situation. 😢

Peter Burgess
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

You would think this would be the perfect opportunity for the mining/caving world to step in, and cooperate with AWT, demonstrating that a responsible attitude exists in both bat and mining camps. The BCA don't spend a massive amount on conservation each year - perhaps this should change. The outcome? Mutual trust on both sides, and one would hope, a strong campaign to stop all this nonsense and wrecking of the site.

rufenig
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

If I understand things correctly the Muddy Hole entrance is on land that A.W.T. do not control. Also I believe other access is possible.
Under the mines and quarries act, someone must own the mine (it is not old enough to be abandoned) so someone is responsible for making the mine and entrances safe.
When an accident happens it really will hit the fan when all this story comes out!

Tamarmole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

The Browne's Folly situation does look like a car crash in slow motion. I don't see it ending well.

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

9 years ago

"Tamarmole" wrote:
The Browne's Folly situation does look like a car crash in slow motion. I don't see it ending well.

Roger that for sure
I know some things i cannot put on a public forum.

My avatar is a poor likeness.

Popeass1
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

The situation is out of hand, I'm a regular visitor, and the damage is becoming more extreme and more regular, it seems the perpetrators feel untouchable, which is making them bold. AWT are apparently aware they have a conservation issue, and need to step up and show some robustness, I'm sure if someone was caught and prosecuted it'd send a clear message to people who think it is their right to cut out gates, destroy historical features and potentially disturb an important bat roost. The Belper reference is due to the fact a welcome to Belper sign was screwed up during the recent rave, and although removed, Belper bastards has been sprayed up in its location.

Into the void...

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

#10

"ttxela" wrote:
This seems to be resented by some and provokes further damage.

Just about sums it up.

pwhole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

#11

Can't a remote camera be installed near the entrance? They're not that expensive and if video of the perps is captured, surely that can then be used as evidence - especially if they have angle-grinders with them.

rufenig
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

#12

I think that a camera would be vandalized quicker than anything!
Avon wildlife trust do not seem to want to take on the issue, or at least they have taken very little action up till now.
It WILL all end in tears sometime soon and I fear for the knee-jerk reaction that will inevitably follow.:(

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

#13

I do not know this mine at all.
Is it possible for one of these loons to get lost down there?
Or have a serious accident?
The only mine I know of which was treated in a similar manner was the West Mine at Alderly Edge.
In the 60's kids got lost down there, and unfortunately some died-other people used it as a dossing place etc.
Eventually the entrance, which had been bricked up, and re- opened using a Mill's bomb, was completely in filled with tons of debris.
It took a long time before controlled access was again allowed.

AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

#14

"rufenig" wrote:
I think that a camera would be vandalized quicker than anything!
Avon wildlife trust do not seem to want to take on the issue, or at least they have taken very little action up till now.

I think a hidden camera would do the trick, plus if it shows criminal damage/breaking and entering then it can go straight to the police. Shame it's not on Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust's ground, I've got an old friend there I could talk to about getting this settled.

Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

9 years ago

#15

John L
There are some issues there that are beyond description.
My advice to everyone stands, stay away from the place.

My avatar is a poor likeness.

crickleymal
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

#16

That only makes it more intriguing Roy.

I'm surprised that the landowner hasn't gated Muddy Hole or perhaps it could be done by interested parties.

Another possibility is that it becomes a sacrificial mine in the same way as one of the mines round here has. Let the vandals get on with that one and hope the other mines get left alone.

Malc.
Rusted and ropey, Dog eared old copy
Vintage and classic or just plain Jurassic
All words to describe me.

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

#17

"crickleymal" wrote:
I'm surprised that the landowner hasn't gated Muddy Hole or perhaps it could be done by interested parties.

I believe the current problems can all be traced back to the original folly of reducing the size of Muddy Hole to render access more difficult, said actions were not universally popular and set various
factions at odds with each other..

crickleymal
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

#18

I thought that was fairly universally agreed to be a good thing. Stops pikeys stealing the railway lines.

Malc.
Rusted and ropey, Dog eared old copy
Vintage and classic or just plain Jurassic
All words to describe me.

rufenig
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

#19

"crickleymal" wrote:
I thought that was fairly universally agreed to be a good thing. Stops pikeys stealing the railway lines.

Apart from a few who went hysterical because they believed it was a conspiracy to keep them out!

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

#20

I think I will take the same position as Roy on this rather contentious issue.;)