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.

Friday 30th October 2026

John Cooper and Kate Lawrence. Lovely warm sunny day, 16°C. John descended to the top of the electron ladder then Kate lowered bucket with drill and flood light (which he attached to bottom rung of fixed ladder). Then he descended to top of slot and Kate lowered drill to there. John coiled up the electron ladder so it did not get hit by falling debris. John then spent some time with drill in chisel mode straightening out the shaft above the slot to give a better haul. He then moved on down and widened the floor slot. The hole is deep from the sound of falling debris! Some of the debris landed in the bucket but a lot did not. Once completed he ascended and Kate descended to check his work. John hauled out two loads of rocks, then the drill. Finally the flood light was hauled up which Kate detached on her way up. Should all be ready for a good hauling session tomorrow! Kate reported sound of running water somewhere. 1½ hours. John.

WARNING The electron ladder is old and was constructed using thin wire. You should use a lifeline if using the ladder. 

Saturday 24th October 2026

John Cooper, Pete Hann, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Noticeably cooler today at 11°C with a chilly wind blowing and the rain getting heavier as the day wore on. Kate down to start with, rigging the electron ladder to the fixed ladder. We rehomed one newt and one frog today. Not sure how she saw the frog as it was only the size of my thumb nail. Jude rigged an SRT rope and descended to the level of the end of the fixed ladders so she could relay messages and guide the haul line up. Only 2 light buckets of gravel and 3 light buckets of rocks hauled out. One capping mat, two carpets and two dumpy bags were recovered from the rift and hauled to the surface. One dumpy bag remains protecting Kate’s stal but one carpet, one tackle bag and assorted bits are still in there somewhere. When Jude got too cold she came out and Adrian descended to install a proper bolt and hanger for the electron ladder. Once completed we all retired cold and wet. 2 hours. John.

Saturday 17th October 2026

Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. A very short session fitted in between the Wessex Cave Club's AGM/EGM and Annual Dinner. Five loads removed. The slot in the floor needs to be made larger still. 1 hour. John.

Thursday 15th October 2026

John Cooper, Kate Lawrence, Wayne Starsmore, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Still warm today at 18°C with no breeze. John lifelined Kate down first, then lowered 3 dumpy bags and 2 rolls of carpet which she used to plug the floor rift and protect the South end. John then descended to discuss where today’s holes were to be drilled. Kate then ascended and lowered John’s drill. The intention was to drill 5 long holes in the lowest ledges to start with. However the Southernmost hole dropped right through with the longest bit (900mm), so he restricted the others to the 600mm bit. As each hole was completed it was plugged with a rubber bung supplied by Wayne (many thanks). A tea towel was used to cover each set of holes (2 and 3) to prevent debris from the higher holes being forced into them. Finally a row of 3 deep holes was drilled in the upper ledge, none of which dropped through although the rock was quite fractured. John ascended and Adrian was lifelined down. Then his bag of supplies from Wayne lowered to him. Once all was set up the bag was hauled up and the wire lowered down. Adrian was then lifelined out and he destroyed the holes. 2½ hours. John.

Saturday 10th October 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Noticeably cooler today at 13°C with a chilly wind blowing. John down first and he set up a floodlight attached to the bottom rung of the fixed ladders. He then came out and Kate descended to send up spoil. In addition she sent up 1 bit of carpet and 3 dumpy bags. However the floor rift swallowed up the other bit of carpet. John descended to break up a couple of larger rocks before coming out again. More loads sent up before Adrian descended to discuss options and take photos. Kate came out and Jude descended for a look. Finally Jude came out followed by Adrian, who collected the floodlight on the way. Totals for the day were 24 loads of rock and 26 loads of gravel. 3 hours. John.

Carpet protected stal? Photo KL

Looking South. Video KL

Tuesday 6th October 2026

John Cooper, Xiao Jin, Kate Lawrence, Wayne Starsmore, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Still warm today at 18°C. John down first and started to drill a line of 4 holes in the top ledge.Kate then descended and drew lines on the rock to show John where he was NOT allowed to drill. After she returned to the surface 3 dumpy bags were lowered to block off the rift in the floor. Then John completed the line of 4 deep holes in the ledge. In addition he drilled another line of 4 shorter holes in the ledge at floor level, North end. He then came out and Kate descended with a roll of carpet, 2 pieces, to cover the dumpy bags. It is hoped that the smoother surface will make removing the gravel easier. Kate then came out and Wayne descended. He commented that the stemming water was leaking out of the holes where they passed through the various beds. Should be more spoil this time, fingers crossed. 2½ hours. John.

Saturday 3rd October 2026

John Cooper, Pete Hann, Sarah Hann, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Cooler again today at 18°C but misty and damp, warmer when the sun popped out every so often. Kate down and then the double ladder hauled out. Disappointing bang result as it turned out, possibly owing to not tamping the holes with water? Also only the attachment point of Kate’s special stal left. The ledge had been slightly shaken but not broken. However the floor boulder had gone, leaving a continuous rift in the floor. Kate sent up 15 loads and then called for assistance to remove a rock wedged down the rift. John was allowed down and the pair managed to extract it. John then reduced it to manageable pieces before returning to surface. A few more loads hauled out. Total for the day only 10 of rocks and 11 of gravel. Will need to redo the bang in the ledge. 2 hours. John.

Stal remains. Photo KL.

Ledge should be gravel! Photo KL.

Looking South then down. Video KL.

Tuesday 29th September 2026

John Cooper, Xiao Jin, Kate Lawrence, Wayne Starsmore, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Warmer today at 20°C. John down first and stuffed two dumpy bags into the rift in the floor. Kate then descended to show John where he was NOT allowed to drill. Then John drilled a line of 4 deep holes in the ledge. The floor was too broken to drill significant holes so just 1 shallow one in the floor boulder and 2 longer ones into the North end of the rift. A third dumpy bag was used with the capping mat to cover the South end of the rift. John came out and was replaced by Wayne. He removed one of the dumpy bags from the floor rift to take a video of the rift before replacing it. The bottom double ladder was raised to give more working room for Wayne to charge the holes. Wire fed down behind the ladder and once everything was set up Wayne came up and the holes were destroyed. The fumes came out very quickly today. 2½ hours. John.

Saturday 26th September 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Mike Kousiounis (Kushy), Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Cooler again today at 18°C but dry. Kushy to the bottom initially to try filming down the rift in the floor with a GoPro fastened on the end of some drain rods together with a torch. When he came out the bottom double ladder was lowered into the hole and John descended, guiding it down until it reached the floor. Although only 1 leg was on the ground it was fairly stable so John climbed it and used the top rung to stand on. His drill was then lowered and 5 pins were fixed into the side walls, 2 on the East side and 3 on the West side. Once the drill was hauled out he fastened himself to the lifeline which was then locked off on the surface. A total of 4 mixes of cement spread over 7 loads together with a similar number of loads of rocks were then lowered to him and added to the top of Pete’s North wall. He then came out and Adrian descended and used the remaining load of cement and some rocks supporting the stal at the bottom. While he was doing this Kushy did more filming in the rift with a longer length of drain rod (5m). Shows we still have several more metres of widening to do. 3 hours. John.

GoPro top part of rift. Video MK.

Friday 25th September 2026

Nigel Graham, Wayne Starsmore, Adrian and Jude Vanderplank..and Kate Lawrence (surface support). Wayne rigged a SRT rope from the scaffold with one deviation down the shaft to the bottom. Wayne and Jude went down to look at the bottom first. When they came out Nigel and I descended to look at the bottom. I then came out first self-lifelining up the ladders whilst Nigel chose to SRT up and out. A bit smelly about halfway up but couldn’t find the cause! Adrian.

A happy Nigel. Photo KL.

Saturday 19th September 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Xiao Jin, Mike Kousiounis (Kushy), Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Cooler today at 18°C with a slight breeze. Gradually turned wetter as the day wore on but not too wet. Kate down to start with, sending up buckets of rocks and buckets of gravel. Joined later by Kushy to help and then replaced by Adrian with his capping kit. The rift swallowed Adrian’s small bag at some stage. The GoPro footage taken down the rift at the end of the session didn’t reveal anything new. Total for the day was 29 loads of rocks and 19 loads of gravel (and a teeny weeny bit of broken stal). 3¼ hours. John.

Looking down. Photo MK.

Descending top part of shaft. Video MK.

Descending bottom part of shaft. Video MK.

Saturday 12th September 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Mike Kousiounis (Kushy), Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Warmer again today at 20°C, sunny and with a slight breeze. John down initially to unhook and reposition the bottom double ladder. Kate then down and after the ladder was removed she sent up 19 loads of rocks and 15 of gravel. She then came out and John descended, sending up another bucket of rocks and 3 of gravel. Total for today was 20 of rocks and 18 of gravel. He then drilled series of holes, 4 with his 900mm bit and 8 with his 600mm bit, all 12mm diameter. He then came out and Adrian descended to charge the holes. Only 5m of 40gm, which was insufficient cord for all the holes so only the 4 deeper ones at the North end and 6 in the middle used leaving the 2 at the South end unused. All went OK so should be some spoil for next time. 4 hours. John.

Monday 7th September 2026

John Cooper, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Cooler today at 18°C but no real breeze. Kate to the bottom to remove a frog and other critters then was joined by John who explained where he going to drill. Kate then ascended and John drilled a line of 8 holes on the West wall above the floor, the intention being to widen enough to work. John then came out and Adrian descended to charge the holes, 3.5m of 40gm. Meanwhile John retrieved the mattock and spade from the upper level before running the wire down behind the fixed ladder. The double builders ladder was then raised above shrapnel range and Adrian completed the set up before coming out. There should now be spoil for Saturday. 2 hours. John.

Saturday 5th September 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Cooler today at 18°C but sunny and with a slight breeze. Kate down first loading buckets but only 3 of rocks and 2 of gravel sent up before she said help required. Kate ascended after John descended but he only managed another 2 of gravel before he came out. Adrian then descended with capping kit and the 2 dumpy bags which he used to block the rift in the floor. Didn’t really need them as he gave up having decided capping had no effect. Whilst Adrian was capping John measured the depth from the bottom of the fixed ladder to the floor as 5.8m. Decided to install the next section, 4m, of fixed ladder. Pete drilled a couple of holes on each side of the new ladder above the top rung. John descended and detached the bottom double ladder which was lowered to reach the floor (dumpy bag). Adrian came out and the new section of ladder was lowered. A protrusion prevented a nice hang which John tried to remove and then called for Adrian to cap it out. One broken drill bit later and sufficient had been removed to allow hammer and chisel to finish the job. Adrian ascended and John attached the new section. Still needs an attachment to the wall a couple of metres down. John checked out the top of Pete’s North wall to see what needs doing. Plenty of building up still required. Next session will be a small bang to widen the bottom 50cm down to floor level. 3½ hours. John.

Saturday 29th August 2026

John Cooper, Pete Hann, Sarah Hann, Mike Kousiounis (Kushy), Kate Lawrence and Adrian Vanderplank. Cooler today at 18°C and wet, slow drizzle turned to heavy showers then rain. Kate down loading buckets. She sent up 23 loads of rocks and 13 loads of gravel, plus the 2 dumpy bags, before working under 2 waterfalls got too much for her and she came out. Still more rock could be levered off. 1½ hours.

Tuesday 25th August 2026

John Cooper, Kate Lawrence, Wayne Starsmore, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Warm today at 25°C but with a slight breeze. Kate to the bottom to remove any critters then was joined by John who received strict instructions on where he was NOT allowed to drill (anything heading South). Kate then ascended and John drilled 7 holes, an upper line of 3 and a lower line of 4. All were 12mm to full depth of drill bit. John then surfaced and Adrian descended, charged the holes with 3.5m of 40gm and surfaced. Holes now destroyed. 2½ hours. John.

Saturday 22nd August 2026

John Cooper, Nigel Graham, Pete Hann, Kate Lawrence, Adrian Vanderplank and Jude Vanderplank. Warm today at 23°C but with a slight breeze. Kate down first loading buckets.She sent up 11 loads, plus 1 newt and other small critters. John then descended to replace the bolt (see 1st August report), lower the bottom section of double ladder a few rungs and then attack a rock in the floor. Several more loads of mud and rocks together with another newt sent up before he was banished and replaced by Adrian and an endoscope. Not 100% successful as he kept poking the camera end in the mud. The new plumb bob (see last week’s report) was retrieved using a rigid hook. Finally Kate came out and was replaced by Jude. An electron ladder is now attached to bottom ladder to create another obstacle! The depth of the entrance shaft was measured at 19.8m (tape) and the floor crack at 3.57m (Disto). Total of 13 loads of rocks and 9 of mud/gravel hauled out today. 3½ hours. John.