Andrew Chamberlain, Andy Sparrow, Chris Castle, Ian Tiley, Judi Durber, Lawrence Wilson, Paul James, Peter Sanders, Rich Nurse, Will Puddy, Yvette Jordan

Adam, Tim Gouge, Jake Tebet, Simon Jordan, Zoe Hebden, Andy Hebden, Rachel Sparrow

For the final trip of the year some silliness and socialising was the order of the day.

All 18 of us met up in Burrington Coombe and split into teams of 2 and where promptly tied together with 6m of rope! At the cave entrance each team was given a quiz sheet with 20 questions and a survey of the cave with 20 locations marked on it. At each of the locations was the answer to that question. On the stroke of 19:32 they where off, having one hour to hand back the quiz sheet.

Younger members rocketed off to the bottom of the cave whilst others filled in the answers they knew. Pretty much every extremity of the cave was used from Orange Peel Passage to the Dexion Extensions. Most teams got to the Boulder Chamber with about half going deeper.

With everyone’s eyes on the clock a mad scramble ensued to get back to the entrance. With only one team a couple of minutes late (earning themselves a hefty points fine!)

(Whilst this was going on I did a substantial clean up of the main entrance where a bonfire had been lit some time ago)

All got to the Woodborough at 21:00 where we took over the function area. After marking the somewhat muddy (thanks Will) and wet (thanks Tim) answer sheets the winners where Tim and Jake who not only did all of Goarchurch but also had time to get one of the bonuses at the end of West Twin Adit. After the trophy was presented (stet) and photos taken everyone chatted until it was time to leave. The evening had a fantastic ending with Judi and Adam announcing there engagement, congratulations.

Thanks to all who took part, hopefully it was the right mix of Christmas and cave knowledge, caving and socialising. Special thanks to Andy for producing the surveys and providing the rope which he gave to people who wished to practice their knots afterwards. Also to my son, Rowan, who I dragged around Goatchurch, Pierre’s Pot, Sidcot Swallet and West Twin Adit to place the answers and bonuses before he started an evening shift at The Riverside in Cheddar.

— Lawrence Wilson 1/01/2023