There are regular club meets to suit all abilities, with something going on at least once a month. We have a number of ‘home meets’ based at Whitewalls, our club hut in Llangattock, plus a selection of ‘away meets’ to a variety of caving regions all around the country and sometimes abroad.
The calendar of events below shows club trips planned for 2023, and is updated throughout the year. Other trips also happen on an ad-hoc basis, so check out the members’ Facebook page and message board to see what else is going on.
Latest Trip Reports and PhotosJanuary
27th-29th January – Annual Dinner and AGM
This year we return to The Bear in Crickhowell for the CSS Annual Dinner and transport there and back has been arranged, leaving Whitewalls at 6:30pm Saturday evening. There will of course be caving trips to work up an appetite beforehand, including the Annual Aggy Bat Count and other trips to local caves. The AGM will be held on Sunday at 11am in Crickhowell Village Hall.
February
24th-26th February – Whitewalls Meet
A weekend of Welsh caving fun with a booze themed evening on the Saturday night. Trips and booze yet to be decided, so watch this space.
March
10th-12th March – Mendip Meet
A good mix of caving trips suitable for all abilities, based at the Shepton Mallet Caving Club hut in Priddy. Activities to include Wookey 24, caves of Fairy Cave Quarry, a Burrington adventure, and a bonus caving trip somewhere local on Friday evening. Contact organiser Mandy Voysey for further details.
24th-26th March – Whitewalls Meet
With a photo competition at Whitewalls on the Saturday evening, and a selection of caving trips taking place over the weekend.
April
7th-10th April – Easter at Whitewalls
Trips to be announced.
May
5th-8th May – Coronation Bank Holiday Weekend at Whitewalls
Caving trips this weekend is likely to include an SRT trip to Pwll Dwfn with an emphasis on training rather than heading straight for the bottom. Contact Adrian for more information on this trip. There are also plenty of other caving options and activities available, so there should be something for everyone. Stuart has offered to cook a Beef Goulash and organise a wine tasting evening on Sunday, please confirm with Stuart if you would like food.
June
9th-11th June – North Wales
Staying at the Bowline Mountaineering Club hut in Brynrefail, near Llanberis. Proposed trips include the new longer Croesor – Rhosydd through trip and the newly rigged Western Workings of Llanberis Copper Mine. With some big pitches and traverses, confidence with SRT is required for this trip. There are also climbing options with ‘Snakes and Ladders’ and the new ‘Hobbits and Tunnels’ in Dinorwic quarry and a huge range of walking, scrambling and wild swimming for anyone not wanting to head underground. Contact trip organiser Matt Chinner if you’d like to attend this meet.
23rd-25th June – Chelsea Summer BBQ Weekend
Adrian will be supplying a barrel of free beer so we can all celebrate his 60th birthday. Caving trips followed by flames and food in the Whitewalls garden. As usual BBQ accompaniments including buns, salad, spuds, sauces will be provided (for a small fee). Just bring your own meat/veggie lumps to cook on the BBQ.
July
28th-31st July – Yorkshire Weekend
The YSS caving hut is booked from Friday to Monday for three days of caving. Trips to be decided, contact Adrian Fawcett for further information.
August
26th-28th August – Bank Holiday Weekend at Whitewalls
A long weekend of caving at Whitewalls, and hopefully we should enjoy some sunshine too.
September
15th-17th September – Hidden Earth Caving Conference
Always popular with Chelsea members, this year’s Hidden Earth will be held in Portishead, near Bristol. See the official website https://hidden.earth for tickets and updates.
October
20th-22nd October – Derbyshire Weekend
A weekend staying at the Orpheus hut in Monyash, which has a number of different caves, mines, walks and cycle trails nearby. Caving activities are yet to be decided, but the intention is to have trips to cater for all abilities with easier SRT or non-SRT trips, as well as more ‘technical’ options. Contact trip organiser Mandy Voysey for more details.
November
3rd-5th November – Bonfire Weekend at Whitewalls
Paul Tarrant will be providing a barrel of free beer for us all to celebrate his 50th anniversary of caving. As usual there’ll be a huge bonfire to enjoy and everyone should bring one big firework to add to the display. A feast of dinners and puddings will be provided for a small fee.
December
1st-3rd December – Whitewalls Curry Night
The annual evening of home-made culinary curry delights with a selection of caving trips on offer to work up an appetite. Bring along a curried concoction to share, be it a vat of curry, a spicy side-dish or some tasty sundries. Caving trips to decided.
31st December - 1st January – New Year’s Party at Whitewalls
More trips may be added during the year, so check here and on the members’ ProBoards and Facebook groups for updates.