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| James Johnson |
It's hard to believe James is 21, he has always seemed older than his
years, that was until alcohol became involved a couple of years ago!
James has been a regular at Alderley Edge since he was kneehigh to a
grasshopper.
Showing posts with label Alderley Edge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alderley Edge. Show all posts
Boxing Day in West Mine
Following on from Christmas Eve, I was back in West Mine for the traditional DCC Boxing Day celebration. This involved decorating the poor Holly Bush mark II with shiny wrappers and mince pie tins, bubbles, and building a giant sandcastle with a moat, drawbridges and turrets. Behold our creation!
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| Sophie, Me & Sean, photo by the fair hand of Mr Richard Bullock |
DCRO Practice at Alderley Edge
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| My nephew Dylan |
Engine Vein Open Weekend
The Engine Vein Open Weekend had an excellent turnout as we have come to expect over the last couple of years.
Gorgeous George our mine mascot enjoyed taking part in the evenings frivolities, and his first taste or SRT went down well :) Thankyou to Alley for her idea of bringing along stick on moustaches to add to the general hilarity- I look forward to seeing the photographs. And also thankyou to Damian who provided everyone with generous helpings of his Polish hash hot pot, sadly I was the only person who didn't like it. I urge everyone to sponsor his speed hike on the Clapham Circuit in aid of the Cave Rescue Organisation. His just giving sponsorship page is here: http://www.justgiving.com/Damian-Skrzelowski1
For details of the next open weekend please see www.derbyscc.co.uk
Gorgeous George our mine mascot enjoyed taking part in the evenings frivolities, and his first taste or SRT went down well :) Thankyou to Alley for her idea of bringing along stick on moustaches to add to the general hilarity- I look forward to seeing the photographs. And also thankyou to Damian who provided everyone with generous helpings of his Polish hash hot pot, sadly I was the only person who didn't like it. I urge everyone to sponsor his speed hike on the Clapham Circuit in aid of the Cave Rescue Organisation. His just giving sponsorship page is here: http://www.justgiving.com/Damian-Skrzelowski1
For details of the next open weekend please see www.derbyscc.co.uk
Photography in Engine Vein
Bit of a last minute thing this arranged with Dan Sutton from UCET, seeing as none of us were going to Nenthead this weekend, Dan, myself, and Olly decided to go down Engine Vein on what turned out to be the nicest day of 2013 so far weather wise!
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| Olly looking at Blue Shaft |
Alderley Wander
Me, Olly, Nigel, Ed and Richard decided to meet up for a wander around Alderley to take a look at a few of the lesser visited areas around the Edge. It was a nice day and lots of people were out enjoying the sunshine. I was pleased to collect my aditnow calendar from Ed and also the new edition of the Alderley Edge Mines book, updated by Nigel Dibben. First we went to Findlowe Mine in Finlow Hill, my second visit to the small mine which not a great deal is known about, but is suspected to have been worked primarily for cobalt. After a good look around and some photographs, we headed back to the car park for a quick bite to eat, and also to pick up an electron ladder for a look in Doc Mine. On the way we observed channel 4 doing some more filming near the Old Alderley Quarry for the programme Skins. And also a strange and well built shelter practically in the quarry, maybe it was being used for filming purposes? Nigel pointed out old marks on the lower side quarry walls indicating plank props and bits of grafitti which I have never noticed before, having not previously spent a great deal of time around that area.
The Alderley Edge Mines book
The Alderley Edge Mines book
DCC Four Weddings and a Funeral Stomp
This had been planned for what seemed like all year... A party in West Mine to celebrate the Derbyshire Caving Club having 7 members get hitched this year- Sue and Tony, Heather and John, Bev and Ed, and Gareth and Katie. And sadly, one of the Clubs long standing members passed away in July. Lenny Gee, whom I was only fortunate enough to meet a handful of times. On the day of his funeral a new cave discovery was made in Matienzo, Spain; and named Lenny's Cave in his honour.
I could not be around to help with much of the planning as I would have liked, I am told it took 3 trips and lots of people helping to get all the party stuff/lighting etc down to Sphynx Chamber in West Mine where the party was held. Not to mention getting the barrels of beer down there for the makeshift bar- big thank yous to The Cheshire Brewhouse and everyone who helped organise the big do!
On the day of the party my morning was spent icing cakes and generally taking too long to get my camping gear together... Upon arriving in Alderley in the mid afternoon, I went to meet some others who were already in West Mine (for reasons outside of their control!) so decided that would be a good time to take my chair down to Sphynx Chamber. I can't recall sitting on that chair once for the rest of the night :) Then back to the surgery where people in evening wear and helmets were soon gathering ready to party, including Paul Stubbs in a rather fetching black dress and Donna Stubbs in a suave suit.
Heading down to Sphynx Chamber, descending the ladders, with a safety net put in place, I could not help thinking to myself: do not get drunk... remember you have to get out of here again! Seeing the Main chamber in West Mine lit up for the first time was breathtaking and beautiful. I took the decision to get changed into my evening wear underground, this meant I needed some help to get dressed! Sphynx Chamber was not lit up like the main chamber, except for candles, disco lights and glitter ball, so was a bit disorientating at first as I am so used to having a cap lamp. The ladies tent toilets were a nice surprise- I was expecting buckets haha!
Has to be said that Heather was the absolute legend of the night coming down in her beautiful white and blue wedding dress :) The rest of the evening passed in a wonderful blur of beer, cider, food, beach tennis, smoke, dancing and excellent underground fun. I think the highlight of my evening was actually managing to climb a ladder in my floor length skirt with beer in hand! I made it out around 2am without much trouble, giggling behind Heather ascending the never ending ladders in her now filthy wedding dress. The walk back to the surgery felt like a 5 mile hike. Apologies to Colin Davidson who was rudely awoken in the surgery. Big ups to myself, Pete Whetham and Damian for being the last ones up drinking until 4am in the field!
....I woke up about 10.30am which was far too early but I got up and went to find people and coffee. I found them all in the tearoom. At midday me, Olly, young Paul and Damian decided to go and help with the clearing up operation at west mine, and took out SRT gear with us thinking we could have a play on the ropes afterwards. 10 minutes after going into West Mine it became clear we would not be doing any SRT today. I helped as much as I could before it felt like I would pass out!
Ed's Pics from the night
A blog about the party from the Cheshire Brewhouse
Tony's Report on Lenny's Cave
A film of Lenny's Cave
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| Photograph of Lenny and Bill from Colin Davidson? |
On the day of the party my morning was spent icing cakes and generally taking too long to get my camping gear together... Upon arriving in Alderley in the mid afternoon, I went to meet some others who were already in West Mine (for reasons outside of their control!) so decided that would be a good time to take my chair down to Sphynx Chamber. I can't recall sitting on that chair once for the rest of the night :) Then back to the surgery where people in evening wear and helmets were soon gathering ready to party, including Paul Stubbs in a rather fetching black dress and Donna Stubbs in a suave suit.
Has to be said that Heather was the absolute legend of the night coming down in her beautiful white and blue wedding dress :) The rest of the evening passed in a wonderful blur of beer, cider, food, beach tennis, smoke, dancing and excellent underground fun. I think the highlight of my evening was actually managing to climb a ladder in my floor length skirt with beer in hand! I made it out around 2am without much trouble, giggling behind Heather ascending the never ending ladders in her now filthy wedding dress. The walk back to the surgery felt like a 5 mile hike. Apologies to Colin Davidson who was rudely awoken in the surgery. Big ups to myself, Pete Whetham and Damian for being the last ones up drinking until 4am in the field!
Ed's Pics from the night
A blog about the party from the Cheshire Brewhouse
Tony's Report on Lenny's Cave
A film of Lenny's Cave
Conceptual Photography in Alderley Edge
My friend Rebecca Palmer is an exceptional photographer who specialises in conceptual ideas and techniques. We had been trying to arrange this shoot in Alderley Edge for over a year. Rebecca had never been to Alderley, I always knew the area was suited to her style. I had told her about some of the history and legends associated with the area and so we had a few ideas for the day. We planned to meet Vicki in Alderley village and walk up to the edge to Stormy Point, then through the woods to see the sandstone undercut and the Wizards Well on the way to Church Quarry behind The Wizard pub. Unfortunately Vicki's train from Northwich was late and so Rebecca and I headed up to the edge leaving her to catch up with us. The rain seemed to be getting heavier so walked briskly up the big hill and straight onto Stormy Point for a few shots of the sadly cloudy view. Then we headed under the sandstone escarpment for abit of shelter from the rain and for me to get changed for a photograph.
I needed a lot of direction and help from Rebecca- this kind of thing did not come naturally to me at all! Quick change back into sensible clothes and we went on through the woods to have a look at some of the other interesting features around the edge. The rain continued and so we thought the best course of action would be to head to the Surgery hut and wait for Vicki in there. Not long afterwards I peeked out of the hut to see a sodden, forlorn figure in a brightly coloured poncho heading towards us. Once we had dried off a little we went over to Church Quarry behind The Wizard pub for a few more photographs. Another change of clothing, this time into a vintage wedding dress that Rebecca brought along.
We decided that was enough for today and a return trip would be planned for Springor Summertime in 2013.
Rebecca Palmer Photography
Rebecca's Flickr Photostream
I needed a lot of direction and help from Rebecca- this kind of thing did not come naturally to me at all! Quick change back into sensible clothes and we went on through the woods to have a look at some of the other interesting features around the edge. The rain continued and so we thought the best course of action would be to head to the Surgery hut and wait for Vicki in there. Not long afterwards I peeked out of the hut to see a sodden, forlorn figure in a brightly coloured poncho heading towards us. Once we had dried off a little we went over to Church Quarry behind The Wizard pub for a few more photographs. Another change of clothing, this time into a vintage wedding dress that Rebecca brought along.
We decided that was enough for today and a return trip would be planned for Springor Summertime in 2013.
Rebecca Palmer Photography
Rebecca's Flickr Photostream
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