Walked from the Bristol Exploration Club’s (BEC) the ‘Belfry’ across to the Mineries, the former site of the St. Cuthberts lead works on the Mendip Hills. On the way stopped to look various sinks such as Waldegrave Swallet (NGR ST 5473/5155), Five Buddles, etc which are taking water after the recent heavy rain. Carried on through Stockhill Woods and across fields to Fairman’s Folly (NGR ST 5509/5273) the site of an old BEC dig in the 1950’s, later the Wessex (WCC) in the 1960’s to no avail, and Pounding Pot (NGR ST 55025262) dug by WCC in the 1970’s; both of these large depressions are in Harptree Beds, not good for digging. The significance of the depressions in this area is that they indicate there must be a cave drainage network beyond the passages already discovered in Wigmore Swallet and, perhaps some thought should be given to investigating this prospect further. Continued walk through ‘The Belt’ around Wigmore Farm to All Eights mineshaft and passing Home’s Close (BEC dig) and on towards Red Quar (NGR ST 5610/5181), noted on the way that Eric’s (another BEC dig) is already showing signs of collapsing, the shoring here apppears rather inadequate and I cannot see any logic in dumping spoil within the cone of depression and loading the slope. Back into Stockhill Woods to look at the fenced depression there, again taking a good flow of water before returning to Belfry. Unfortunately I didn’t take a camera or field bag which is rather bad practice for a geologist/archaeologist!
Reference: Barrington, N. and Stanton, W. 1977. Mendip: The Complete Caves and a view of the hills. Barton Productions in conjunction with the Cheddar Valley Press.
