Our clubs very own member Allan Berry filled in for the role of Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation (DCRO) coordinator for the day this weekend, during one of the practice sessions the group holds on a regular basis.

We hold public Open Days or Weekends twice a year when anyone who arrives at the mine (either Engine Vein or Wood Mine) will be taken down in a small group. To make the trip easier and to add to the special nature of the Open Weekends, parts of the mine are floodlit and a circular tour is arranged. More information and pre-booking available on our website here: https://www.derbyscc.org.uk/alderley/current_visiting_open_days.php

The Club had a fresh start to the New Year with a weekend's caving in the Yorkshire Dales. We took a new (to caving) member for a trip in to Bull Pot of the Witches on Sunday and Sell Gill on Saturday. Looks like he'll be back for more! Thanks to the North Pennine (caving) Club for providing excellent accommodation. Thanks to Rob Stevenson and Yvonne King for the Piccies.

As cavers we often need to use abseiling equipment to gain access to deep places. Here in the UK it is not too unusual to see single pitch descents of up to 100m, and getting out can be quite a tough slog after a long trip. But imagine having to climb 370m back out of the Cave of Swallows in Mexico on a single rope!

Alderley Edge was the centre of quite a bit of action today, as we hosted our annual Cave rescue practice with the Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation. The scenario involved the locating and stabilising of three overdue cavers who got lost in Engine Vein, along with treatment for some rather serious injuries. To throw a spanner in the works, unbeknown to all of the team, one of our team members decided to throw in a simulated heart attack for good measure! So convincing was his act, that the mood quickly changed, but the DCRO remained professional as always. No ambulance was called in the end! Great day out, and huge respect for the volunteers of the DCRO who help people in all situations along side professional emergency services and are on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If required in an emergency, Derbyshire Cave Rescue can be contacted via 999, asking for the police and then asking them for Cave rescue. They will ask about the current situation, a controller will call you back and will also ask you to stay on the surface to await help. Photos courtesy of Dan Brocklehurst

Mona Mine by @bothknees #parysmountain #anglesey #underground #aditnow #mining #miningremains #fisheye #aframe #winch #coppermining #derbyshirecavingclub

@ollyking1 in Porth yr Ogof, South Wales by @suboffender #cave #porthyrogof #underground #caving #derbyshirecavingclub #limestone #southwales

Should be interesting..

We spent the day filming yesterday for a new BBC4 science series all about temperature. Our very own Nigel Dibben led Dr. Helen Czerski and the crew around the inner depths of the Edge, in a bid to discover why early miners went to so much trouble to gain the ore, and how they worked it to realise it's true potential. We will keep you informed when the series appears on TV!