Interested
in joining the Wessex Cave Club?
The Wessex Cave Club was formed over sixty years ago
and as such is one of the oldest clubs in the country.
Currently membership numbers about 250, which makes
us one of the largest caving clubs in Britain. The
Wessex has always been at the forefront of caving,
a position which the current members are maintaining
admirably. Recently finds include Goa Hatu Saka the
deepest cave in Indonesia (this was a joint expedition
with Sydney Spelaeological Society), several kilometres
of passage in Ogof Draenen and a couple of new caves
on the Mendips - Little Crapnell Swallet and Honeymead
Hole. And the digging continues.
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We are not just an exploration club; we hold plenty of
caving meets through the year. A typical years organised
events included a trip to Castleton in Derbyshire,
a Weekend in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales, and
a couple of Yorkshire Dales trips, which cover the
major caving areas of the country. There were also
meets arranged in the less well-known areas of Devon
and Cornwall, North Wales and Asynt in Scotland, to
explore the caves and mines there. A whistle stop
tour of Belgium caves (and beer) was organised over
a long weekend. Training weekends are regularly held
and an annual cave rescue practice to improve skills.
The Club organises foreign expeditions, for example
trips to Slovenia and Ceram. In addition, there are
always members staying at the Hut organising their
own trips. If you are around it is generally possible
to tag along on one of these trips.
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The Club has it own purpose built centrally heated hut,
with a large mixed dormitory and separate ladies dorm,
fully equipped kitchen, changing room with four showers,
drying room and a power washer for cleaning kit, a
training tower, members library, tackle store and
a common room warmed by the clubs historic pot-bellied
stove. The Club holds keys to most of Britain's locked
caves and has leaders for restricted access caves.
Hut fees are £2.50/night for members and £4.50/night
for guests.
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As a member you will receive the entertaining, informative
and authoritative Club Journal, which is published
4 to 6 times a year. You'll automatically be covered
by the BCRA's public liability insurance, which is
increasingly becoming an access requirement. The Club
is also affiliated to the regional and national caving
bodies, which is also a requirement for access to
many caves around the country. You will also have
access to the club tackle and use of the library as
well as regular training events dealing with all aspects
of caving.
If you are interested in joining you
will need to be proposed and seconded by Club members.
Most members will want to have caved with you before
signing your form, so it is worthwhile coming down
to the hut for a couple of weekends to join some trips.The
Caving Secretary, would be happy to arrange this for
you. He can be contacted using the contact form
Please print a copy of the membership
form. Please note that the form has two
sides, it is essential that you print it double sided
or if this is not possible then at least staple the
two sheets together. It should be filled out and returned
to the membership secretary at the Wessex Cave Club. Your application
will be considered at the next committee meeting and
they will write to let you know the outcome. The subscription for 2008 is £38 for single members, £57 for joint members and £19 for student members in full time education or young members under 25 plus insurance.
Insurance form to be completed by all new
members can be downloaded here. Insurance Form
Overseas members can choose to pay by PayPal. Please contact the Membership Secretary for details.
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