Originally identified as Blackmoor Shaft (Stainsby's Shaft) circa 1960, this photo is now thought to be Pinetree Pot. Photo Bob Templeman.

Bones in Ubley Hill Pot circa 1960's. Photo by Richard Woollacott. Richard says that his recollection is that there were bones as well as skulls. Their thoughts at the time were that the cave had originally been open and that the bodies were probably casualties of civil war battles, thrown down.

Bones in Ubley Hill Pot circa 1960's. Photo by Richard Woollacott. Tony Knibbs imagined that their ladder had probably broken. He said would be interesting to find out who of MCG was first down the second short pitch and do they remember some rotting wooden bars at the bottom? The skulls were in a position hard against a down-sloping wall and half buried in mud and he'd be surprised if they could have rolled neatly together, just a few inches apart, if thrown down from the surface.

Skulls in Ubley Hill Pot cica 1960's. Photo by Don Searle. The remains were on a sort of mud glacier so probably did roll, or were brought down by the mud as it slid. After they had been looked at by Oliver Lloyd of Bristol University at the request of the Coroner and dated as ancient, some of the bones were left where they were, but at least some of the material from Ubley is in the Natural History Museum.

July 1960 - Ubley Hill Pot. Pete Goddard, Joy D?, Jack Green, Don Searle and June Searle. Photo by M O Cotter

1960 Ubley Hill Pot. First view of pitch. Pete Goddard. Photo possibly by Don Dovaston

Ubley Hill Pot, 1st pitch, photo by Don Dovaston

Ubley Hill Pot, 1st cavity, photo by Don Dovaston

Ubley Hill Pot. Jack Green, Steve D?, top of Fall pitch. Photo by Don Dovaston

Ubley Hill Pot before digging commenced. Photo by Don Dovaston

Ubley Hill Pot, 1960. Looking up 2nd Pitch, photo by Don Dovaston

Eire, 1962. Geoff Davies

Jan 1963, Charterhouse rakes. The winter of 1962/63 was the coldest over England and Wales since 1740. A belt of rain over northern Scotland on 24 December turned to snow as it moved south, reached southern England on Boxing Day and became almost stationary. The following day, snow lay 30 cm deep in much of southern England.

Jan 1963, Charterhouse rakes. A blizzard over south-west England and south Wales on 29 and 30 December brought snowdrifts 6 m deep. Villages were cut off, some for several days. Roads and railways were blocked. Telephone wires were brought down. Stocks of food ran low. Farmers couldn't reach their livestock. Thousands of sheep, ponies and cattle starved to death.

Jan 1963, Charterhouse rakes. The freezing conditions continued until on 4 March, a mild south-westerly flow of air reached the British Isles. The coldest winter over England and Wales since 1740 had finally ended.

Walking along the road at Charterhouse

Netherwood Lake, frozen solid in Jan 1963

Deep snow drifts, Jan 1963

Netherwood Cottage was MCG's first HQ. Note the snow drifts - Jan 1963

St Hugh's Cottage at the Charterhouse crossroads, Jan 1963

Pete Munt and Ted Gabb, Jan 1963, Charterhouse rakes. It was around this time that Charnel Shaft was found (and lost!) by Tony Knibbs. The shaft was emitting a draught, but once the snow melted, it was impossible to find again - until 2006

Pete Munt and Ted Gabb explore Charterhouse Rakes in the snow of Jan 1963

Look closely and you will see that Pauline Knibbs, Ann and Geoff Davies are wearing skates. They are possibly on the pool just up-valley from Upper Flood. (Jan 1963)

In the 1960's, many members lived in or near London and the journey (pre-motorways and dual carriageways) was often epic. This is Pete Munt's bubblecar - amazing to think he may have travelled to Mendip in this flimsy vehicle in such bad weather conditions! (Jan 1963).

Page last updated 09 June 2008