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Mike Please can you clarify what this body is - and more importantly how I might go about joining. Kind Regards Keith Nicholls BSc MSc CEng FIMMM MICE MIQ Principal Engineer Geotechnics Ltd Unit 1B Borders Industrial Park River Lane, Saltney CHESTER CH4 8RJ -----Original Message----- From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mike Moore Sent: 06 March 2012 04:44 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Gwydyr Forest Mines Access A meeting was held last week following a discussion between the Cambrian Caving Council and the Forestry Commission regarding access to mines on Forestry Land, it was proposed an access and conservation body be set up with a view to providing permits to mine explorers in the Snowdonia for access to mines on FC land. This changes to the Gwydyr Forest Mines in the first instance. There is a hope that mine explorers (non proffessionals} may be exempted on condition they can provide evidence of BCA insurance. You may recall the NAMHO had tried for years to obtain access and all clubs belonging to NAMHO had been requested to cease activity during those negotiations which eventualy came to nothing and ended up with the mopst interesting sites being blocked off with metal grills Here is the statement from Gethin (chair) following last Wednesday's meeting: Thanks to all that came along to the meeting on Wednesday, it was certainly fantastic to see such broad range represented in around 50-60 attendees and equally impressive that people managed to stay with us for 3 hours (some even manage a pint afterwards!) I felt the meeting was very successful, hopefully providing all those that attended the opportunity to hear how the group came about, and our hopes for access to the mines within the forestry. I would add that at this point there is still no liberal access to the mines with the Gwydyr forest however I believe we now have a good and representative group assembled to further this hope. A meeting with the local forestry agent and their representatives is being arranged. During the meeting the assembled were given an opportunity to express both their support and concerns for the proposed access group. Following this discussion the constitution was worked through and amended, a job that needed doing, not only to promote transparently and ownership to those assembled, but also as between first publishing the constitution events had moved on to render it somewhat outdated. Work is continuing to re-draft the constitution, which we will make available, together with the minutes of the meeting as soon as possible. However in the mean time I'll try and summaries some of the key points. It was agreed that the group should be assembled and continue discussions with the FC. It was also proposed that should the FC agree that the agreement negotiated following some excellent work by the Cambrian Caving Council be self sustainable and sufficient then the group would be disbanded. The group has been re-named to the Gwydyr Mines Access and Conservation Group to better reflect the geographical boundaries of groups initial interests, although the group may also seek to negotiate access to other mines should there be an issue with accessing them on a case by case basis. It is envisaged that these would only be mines that fall within the LCMLA scheme within Snowdonia. Mines outside the Gwydyr adopted by the group would be listed individually. Membership to the group will be open to anyone who would like to apply. All members would be provided access to all mines within the groups management within the limitations set on the group by either the FC, environmental considerations, or qualification (with regards to professional groups only). Membership options would be: * Individual (appropriate for individual explorers with appropriate insurance), * Club (appropriate for clubs affiliated to the CCC/BCA who may be represented by a single representative per club at meetings), * Professional (appropriate to Professional bodies rather than individuals who again may be represented by a single representative per organisation at a meeting) or * Joint (who would have the same privileges as an individual member, and would be appropriate for either a club & professional member or individual & professional member) 7 committee members where appointed by those who attended. The committee represents both recreational and professional mine explores. The committee as it stands is: * Chair: Gethin Thomas (Oaklands OEC) * Secretary: Miles Moulding (Mine-Explorer & Go Below) * Treasurer: Dena Proctor (North Wales co-ordinator of the LCMLA scheme) * Conservation Officer (a new post proposed in the amendments to the constitution): Tom Marshall (Recreational mine explorer and aspirant LCMLA instructor) * Ordinary member: Ed Jones (Rhos y Gwaliau OEC) * Ordinary member: Mark Richards (Blue Peris OEC) * Ordinary member: Simon Lowe (Adit Now) It was agreed that alterations to the constitution could be made by a two-thirds vote of a quorate AGM or EGM. Emphasis was made that it is the groups intentions to open access to the mines within the Gwydyr forest not to restrict it. We will try and do this in as unrestrictive and simple way possible, relaying on explorers to exercise due care and consideration as well as follow the CCC, NAMHO guidelines for good practice and any specific code of practice for a particular mine. It is certainly not the intention of the group to gate or physically restrict access to any mine, unless there is a specific reasons enforced upon us to do so. If there is no alternative than gating a mine then the reasons for this will be fully publicised. Fees where discussed. To date the group has been funded by the initial founders, although it is appreciated that there may be, at some point in the future, the need to seek funding. Appropriate grants may be sought, however it may become necessary to seek funding through the membership. I would suggest that this be proportional to usage, for example I would expect individual member contributions to be less than a professional or club. It is certainly not the groups intention to seek any funding other than the minimum necessary to sustain the group. We will keep you informed of any developments. Gethin Thomas Chair GMACG 2nd March 2012 This email has been scanned for viruses by Netshield MXSweep. 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