Shropshire Caving & Mining Club
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ABOUT US

 

a flying bat

the founder member

Formed in 1959(ish) by a group of people interested in the exploration and study of disused mines and caves in the County of Shropshire (England).

The Club runs an active programme of underground trips, with typically 2-3 main trips per month. We also organise trips to caves and mines in all parts of Britain, the Isle of Man, Ireland, and the Continent - basically anywhere we can get underground!

The Club is a major force in the Midlands Cave Rescue Organisation, regularly participating in rescue practices and training.

We hold a Club Meeting on the first Friday of every month at the British Sugar Social Club, Allscott, Telford, Shropshire at 8pm - Please get in touch before turning up in case the date or venue has changed!

Club Subs
Underground member - £17.00
Family - £22, Junior (under 16) - £12
Plus £15 per person p.a. insurance.
Non-Caver - £17, plus £5 insurance.
Subscriber - £17 (this only entitles you to receive Club publications).

In addition to underground exploration and training Members carry-out historical research, the results of which the Club publishes either in:-

  • 'Below' - The Club's Quarterly Newsletter.
     
  • The Journal.
     
  • Club "Accounts" - occasional publications on specific topics or sites.
     
  • Small items of interest from old newspapers etc.. are available from the web site on the "What the Papers Said" page.
     
  • Videos - combining a record of Club explorations with the historical background to the sites concerned. (The videos are produced in association with I.A.Recordings).
It's bats !

Contacting Us
Send an e-mail to:

scmc.secretary followed by @ then factree.org.uk

(Sorry about this but we're trying to reduce the SPAM !)

Miners hat with candle and lens

Membership
If you are interested in joining the club please download the membership application form:


Membership Form (Word doc) or
Membership Form (pdf)

Hat with candle lens

 

Find out more about our sponsers:

DataRealm Internet Services

Members are also active in the preservation and conservation of underground and surface sites, working with other local groups and councils to protect bat habitats and sites of historical importance.

To help with rescue and exploration activities Club members have developed a variety of 'low' and 'high' tech gadgets.

Its a bat!

Helmet & candle Training

Everybody has to start sometime and the Club organises training sessions and special trips (often on a Wednesday evening at Snailbeach, although training venues do change depending upon the activities involved) to allow novices to learn the necessary skills without pressure.

We use Single Rope Techniques (abseiling and prussiking) a great deal and experienced Club Members are always willing to teach these skills and advise on the necessary personal equipment.

Please note:

  • Underground exploration can be potentially dangerous if you do not have the right equipment and skills. This is why you should consider joining a well established Club, who can train you and lend you equipment for your first few trips.
     
  • Have a look at our Links page to find links to other underground exploration groups, both in Britain and around the world.