MP joins underground movement

David Rutley, the Member of Parliament for Macclesfield and co-chair of the Mountaineering All Party Parliamentary Group, gave his support to the benefits of caving for the rural economy, on a fact finding visit to Gaping Ghyll, the mighty cascade that tumbles down the 365-foot entrance shaft, on Ingleborough, North Yorkshire, on 28^th December.

Joined by former Shadow Home Secretary and fellow outdoors enthusiast, Rt Hon David Davis MP, David entered the cave via Bar Pot, a ‘back door’ to the 8-mile long system that is safe even during heavy rain.

The party were joined by Richard Toon, Chairman of the Lancashire Local Access Forum and supported by experienced local cavers.  Before setting off for the cave the team enjoyed a tour of the Cave Rescue Organisation headquarters based in the village of Clapham, recognising the volunteer service, which had recently been on stand-by for the widespread flooding in the region.

To reach the cathedral-sized Main Chamber – Britain’s biggest – that contains the waterfall, they had to descend two vertical pitches of 55ft and 110ft, using lightweight caving ladders and lifelines. Beyond lay hundreds of feet of crawling and stooping passageways leading to the Chamber, where they and their companions enjoyed some light refreshment.

One purpose of the trip, led by Ingleton rope access specialist and veteran cave explorer Tim Allen, was to experience first-hand the positive benefits of caving both for participants and the wider community. David has been a strong supporter of promoting the benefits of outdoor recreations, including caving, and has successfully called on the Government to incorporate a outdoor recreation into its new Sports Strategy, which was announced in December.

Following the visit, David said, “It was truly a memorable day out, and the Main Chamber and waterfall are just an incredible spectacle. We are fortunate to have an active population of cavers in the UK, which has a very beneficial economic impact on areas where there are caves, such as Yorkshire and nearby in Derbyshire. I look forward to working closely with cavers in the future, as part of my wider efforts to help get more people off the sofa and active outdoors, and in promoting outdoor recreation.’