Saturday 14th November 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Mike Kushy, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Cool again today at 6°C, overcast with occasional sunny gaps in the clouds. John descended and hung the floodlight on the bottom, still to installed, ladder before returning to the surface. He noticed the ladder rungs were clean-washed from rain earlier in the week. Kate then descended to the bottom of the slot, Jude to the top of the slot and Adrian was stationed at John’s new wall so that gravel could be deposited behind it. Hauling started and 10 loads of gravel were stashed behind the wall before Adrian decided that was sufficient. He then descended to join Kate and more gravel and rocks hauled up. When Jude had had enough she came to the surface and Adrian station himself at the slot. More hauling until enough was declared and hauling for the day ceased. A total of 30 loads of gravel to the surface and 6 loads of rocks removed from the bottom. John then descended to collect his light but was persuaded to descend through the slot. Having done so he continued on down the hole in the West wall, along and down the passage heading West for a couple of metres before a cross rift was met. Left was blocked but right continued narrow for a couple of metres before pinching down to only 50mm wide. However through this could be seen another drop of a couple of metres and wider passage. Will need banging to pass and hope the roof further back doesn’t come down with the shock wave. John out, Kate out and finally Adrian. 3½ hours. John.

Tuesday 10th November 2026

John Cooper, Mike Kushy, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Cold today at 6°C with rain and wind making it seem even colder. John hung a lifeline rope down the North end where he was wall building. He attached himself in case his feet slipped off the small ledges he was using. A total of 4 full mixes of cement were sent down split into 8 loads. Buckets of larger rocks were lowered for use in wall building and smaller ones for packing behind the wall as and when requested. The wall has now reached the level where it reduces in width by 50% so should be quicker to build. There is room behind the wall for several loads of gravel to be dumped which will save it being lifted all the way to the surface and carried up the shakehole. 2 hours. John.

Saturday 7th November 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Kim Lake, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Cooler again today at 9°C with a damp clammy mist. John lowered the new 3.2m section of ladder then descended to check its placement. Small amount of rock needs removing to get a good fit. Left in place as it was not in the way. John then had the floodlight sent down which he attached to the bottom of the fixed ladders before coming out again. Kate was then lifelined down to the bottom followed by Kim. Jude then abseiled down to floodlight level. Adian’s walkie/talkies were tried but these also failed once the electron ladder was reached. Today 30 loads of gravel and 12 loads of rocks were hauled to the surface, total of 42 loads. In addition two newts and other critters rehomed. At the end Adrian descended with a bit of cement to put in a crack by a block to act as a marker to detect any movement of the block. Some video of smoke tests show everything sucking in today. Probably same again next Saturday, although Jude would like a changeover at half way. 3 hours. John.

North End Smoke Test. Video KL.

South End Smoke Test. Video KL.

Westwards Smoke Test. Video KL.

Monday 2nd November 2026

John Cooper, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Cool again today at 9°C but a cold wind blowing. To start with Adrian cut down the sapling overhanging the entrance and Kate treated the stump whilst John added some staples to the wire mesh on the scaffold boards. Adrian then descended to the top of the slot and John descended to the bottom of the fixed ladder. After a discussion it was agreed the way forward would be to cut off the bottom 8 rungs of the fixed ladder and attach the cut off bit to the West wall. A new ladder of length 3.2m would then be required to reach the floor. This section would face South, as is the upper section, and be pinned to the East and West Walls. The walkie/talkies were tried but communication between surface and top of slot failed. John then returned to the surface and Adrian dropped into the slot. Once safe the lifeline was hauled up, Adrian’s bag with GoPro and floodlight was sent down on the haul line, and Kate descended to join him. John descended to the end of the fixed ladder to relay messages. Below the slot various depth measurements were attempted together with some video. At the end Kate came up to the top of the slot and passed the lifeline down to Adrian. Adrian’s bag was hauled up through the slot and Adrian followed. John returned to the surface to haul up the bag whilst Jude lifelined Kate then Adrian out. A useful planning session. 1½ hours. John.

Saturday 31st October 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Noticeably cooler today at 9°C with a damp clammy mist. John descended and fixed the floodlight to the bottom of the fixed ladders before coming out again. Kate was then lifelined down to the bottom which allowed Adrian to fix the rope at the correct position for Jude to abseil down to floodlight level. This station allows the person to guide the buckets past the bottom of the ladder otherwise they snag when being hauled up. The depth of the shaft was then measured at 21.0m to top of the slot. Kate then proceeded to send up loads of rocks (26 plus 1 large stal) and gravel (17). In addition 1 carpet and Adrian’s purple tackle bag (swallowed by the slot 19/09/2026) were retrieved from the slot. Two frogs and other critters rehomed today. Lots more hauling required. It would also be good to sort out the bottom ladder. Jude came out followed by Kate, who removed the floodlight on her way out. Still somewhere in the slot is the ball of string lost on 08/08/2026 and a plastic critter pot. 2½ hours. John.

I'm happy here! Photo KL.