21st March 1954
Leader: H.Barnett
Present: D.A.Carr, H.E.Chatburn, B.M.Grainger (and dog), J.D.Grayson, J.R.Hastings, G.Horner, Tony Henchley (visitor) guest of G Horner.
Milia tum pransi tria repimus – Horace.
The plan of attack for the day was to dig in a sink in the same field as Mountbatten and form an opinion as to whether it would eventually ‘go.’ This sink had been worked for several weeks by some members and had been christened Rabbit Pot as it usually provided two fine rabbits, guaranteed free from myxamatosis to the first person to get down it each Sunday.
The hole was about 12 feet deep and after inspection by all members was deemed to be dangerous. It was therefore filled in without much ceremony and a search was made for a better place to open up the sink.
Attack No.2 was on a small vertical crack which had a current of air rising from it. Much work with the pick and shovel made progress slow until all were convinced that it was still a small vertical crack.
Attack No.3 was on a slab of rock near the aforementioned crack. With great optimism it was thought that perhaps the slab was covering a perfect shaft. The first slab was lifted and revealed a second slab. The second slab was given “treatment” and revealed a third slab. Optimism had then vanished and the second slab was swept up and put back in the hole.
Attack No.4 consisted of exploring the sink and working on the theory advanced by a senior member that the most likely place for a hole is where you don’t think there is one. The greatest enthusiasm for this was shown by Grainger’s dog.
All now adjourned to the Nag’s Head, Castleton for high tea, and were joined by some of the more sedate members of the Club who had spent their day walking. Haythornthwaite and Colley were nevertheless very welcome.
Derbyshire Pennine Club 