23-26 May 2014: Cave Science weekend at Buckfastleigh, Devon

[David Gibson]

23-26 May 2014: Cave Science weekend at Buckfastleigh, Devon

UPDATE 17-April: Second Circular. The second circular provides the latest information, and some additional details. It can be downloaded from here. Please note that information in the second circular may supersede what appears below, in this posting to the forum. If you are not already registered, please do so as soon as possible, and by Friday 2 May at the latest. If you need accommodation at the Pengelly Centre, please book this directly with Charlie Bird. For those who register, Trevor Faulkner will be in touch after 2 May to discuss which visit options you would prefer to take and then to send out the final schedule.

You can refer to the BCRA News Forum by its shortcut URL: bcra.org.uk/forum

First circular.
BCRA and the William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust are pleased to invite you and your friends to attend their joint Cave Science Field Meeting that will be held over the long weekend 23–26 May 2014. The meeting venue will be The Pengelly Centre within the SSSI in Buckfastleigh, Devon, where cars and camper vans may be parked. The meeting will include cave science talks in the Centre, walks in the South Devon area to discuss the local Devonian limestone karst geomorphology, and visits to local caves, mines and show caves. Participants will have use of the Centre during the weekend, including its Museum and Library. We expect to provide participants with a copy of a new booklet on Devon Cave Walks. The detailed programme is still in preparation, but the outline schedule is expected to be:

• Friday evening 23 May: arrive in Buckfastleigh
• Saturday am 24 May: talks on Devon cave science and archaeology
• Saturday pm 24 May: guided or unguided visits to local caves: choices from a menu of options
• Sunday 25 May: guided or unguided visits to local caves, restored mines, show caves or surface walks: choices from a menu of options
• Monday am 26 May: guided visit to a limestone mine en route from Buckfastleigh

Use will be made of private cars for travel to the various sites. Bunk-style self-catering accommodation, some suitable for family use, has been reserved in the Centre for this meeting. It must be booked individually via the Centre bookings secretary David Jean See: Booking Secretary. Please mention this event when booking. This can be paid for at the weekend. Alternatively, participants may wish to book sites and camp at Church Hill Farm, which is adjacent to the Centre. There are also many other local places to stay: see visitsouthdevon.co.uk. Light refreshments will be provided when in the Centre. Attendees should provide lunch packs for Saturday and Sunday, and make suitable arrangements for other meals. Participants will need BCA insurance and personal caving equipment for all underground visits. Information on local attractions will be available for those who may prefer not to follow the programme schedule.

Pre-registration for the Field Meeting is essential and should be made to the meeting secretary, Dr. Trevor Faulkner, email by Friday 2 May 2014 at the latest, although earlier indications will be appreciated. The latest information can be discussed by phone at 01625 531558. Attendance may need to be restricted, and reservations will be accepted in order of receipt. There will be a small charge for the meeting, with discounts for members of BCRA and WPCST, payable at the weekend. Detailed timetables, venues, and further information will be provided by email to those who pre-register.

BCRA re-launched its programme of cave science field meetings in 2008 and, since then, participants have enjoyed many successful events. We hope you will come and support this event so that similar activities can be staged in the future.