9th September 1935
Prior to 27th August 1932 unknown (by me).
27 Aug 1932: Present. Cannot remember except Paul Maurer, Henry Chatburn and John Hind. Condition. Chamber being evacuated. Depth about 8 feet below the Alcove. A shot had been fired on the previous occasion and it was doubtful whether it had exploded! The day was mostly spent in looking for its results. A small pool of water about 1 inch deep had collected in the choke, following a storm on the previous day, when we were in Oxlow. Difficulty was experienced in clearing the ladder.
May 1933: For about 5 Sundays work was done in clearing out debri and building it into the sides of the chamber. Members turning out were mostly Walter Sissons, John Hind, Henry and Paul and Maurice Chantry. Others who came were E.Snelgrove, Gordon Sissons, Douglas Yeomans and Colin Christie. The first stemples were laid in the chamber at this time.
June 1933: On one very wet Sunday a visitor got stuck in the narrows. Present was Douglas, Walter, John, Henry, Colin and Maurice. Visitor’s name I forget, the occasion I do not!
20 Aug 1933: Present was John Jenkins and friends and the usual gang of the DPC. Following the discovery of a new chamber in Bagshaw the previous night, excavation and stempling was continued on Sunday am. Jenkins and party were digging following the placing of the long stemple by John Hind, and produced bones. (See J.H. for details of species). They also dropped the first stone down what is now the Bottle. After lunch, Henry and Maurice digging, Paul and John Hind in Alcove, much more stone fell and the first distinct hole was made, subsequently blocked and re-cleared several times.
Sep 1933: Following the above we put in every Sunday during an exceptionally dry period and towards the end of the month, we were able to put a ladder through the hole. I was put down, and clearing the debris from the ledges, dropped a large stone through three rungs of the ladder. I descended to the damaged rungs and placed a candle on a ledge. I was followed by John Hind and Henry who, like me, could see no bottom. Stones fell about 20 feet further. Henry ascended and sent down Joe Wells with more rope, who descended below the bad rungs to the bottom of the ladder. He reported dripping water and what appeared to be a passage running on from a heap of our fallen debris. On ascending, he accidentally twisted the ladder or came up the wrong side, and got an armful of run in loose stuff. We managed to dispose of this and get the ladder clear.
Oct 1933: Laurence Travis and E.Snelgrove cleared much of the loose and dangerous choke from the Chamber by dropping it down the Bottle.
13 & 20 May 1934: Neck and Chamber finally made safe. My recollection of the party is Walter, Laurence, Snelgrove, Henry and Maurice.
27 May 1934: Same party. Laurence & Maurice lowered to Flat. Discovered Stream Hole and three other holes including Tackle Hole. Also threw stones into the Chasm. Followed by Snelgrove and Henry. Snelgrove produced blue print which drew forth record attendance next meet.
3 June 1934: Present about 70% of the Club. Laddered Elizabeth and let down Henry who reported stones let down the other shaft just missed him! I followed to the limit of the ladder. Could see no bottom but sloping wet rocks. Was too busy to observe as I was fully engaged in keeping helmet borrowed from Laurence on my head. Helmet a rarity at that time and tragedy if lost in unknown depths. Hauled out and ascended to surface. J.Hardy gave an undressing exhibition in shaft and later presented a fine bowler hat to the Club. Snelgrove and Henry entered Stalactite Passage.
17 June 1934: Laurence and Maurice with Walter above, unable to clear the Bottle ladder which had been in since 27 May, turned our attention to obstructions in the Narrows etc, and managed to improve matters somewhat.
15 July 1934: Laurence and Snelgrove dropped two big blocks from the Neck.
21 July 1934: Weekend meet. Tackle lowered to Flat Saturday afternoon in record time by John Hind, Walter Sissons, Henry Chatburn, Laurence Travis and Maurice Chantry. The two latter explored the Flats and reached grotto above Firbeck Hall Passage. For details of the supper at the Nags Head, see Douglas Yeomans. On Sunday laddered Elizabeth and let down George Hyde who reported safe bottom and was hauled out too quickly for further observations. He later sent me the ‘anatomical drawing’ section of the hole. Meanwhile Laurence Travis and Henry had pushed the Stalactite passage to a point some distance up the stream.
26 Aug 1934: On this Sunday Jenkins and friends were again present. We laddered the Grotto in the Flat. I descended half way down the ladder and climbed off into the Firbeck Hall Passage. I did not get far but Alan Thrippleton took on visitors while I reported discovery to the remainder of the party. Meanwhile Alan found the Matterhorn Drop and a rope being procured, we crossed it and one of the Birmingham men led the tricky traverse into Firbeck Hall.
Winter 34-35: Henry made drastic alterations to the hut and finally on April 7th a new floor was laid.
20 April 1935: Ladders were lowered to the Flat but winch stuck and had to be withdrawn. Chasm exceedingly wet.
21 April 1935: Easter Sunday. Still wet. Winch lowered and erected by John Hind and Henry Chatburn. The drop at the start of the Firbeck Hall Passage was bottomed by Henry and John hind and a further drop found.
22 April 1935: R.S.? and Paul Maurer and Maurice cleared the passage somewhat from the Bottle to Lip (a typical DPC connection). At this meet the Tigers aroused the spleen of the pansies.
9 June 1935: Lowered ladders for Elizabeth to Flat. Sissons, Monty Grainger, Chantry, Travis, Chatburn, Thrippleton.
10 June 1935: Whit Sunday. Present: Walter Phaine Smith, Chatburn, Grainger, Thrippleton, Travis, John Hind, George Hyde, Chantry, and P.D.Charles (visitor). Lowered all present to bottom of Elizabeth. Chatburn Travis and Thrippleton climbed chock stone bank and found it very loose snd dangerous. Chantry descended the Rat Hole leading from the choke and came out when the floor started to run in. Elizabeth 168 feet.
11 June 1935: Present. Douglas Yeomans, Sissons, Chatburn, Grainger, Thrippleton, Travis and Chantry. Drew tackle with Heath Robinson arrangement of winch.
Derbyshire Pennine Club 