CAVING, AND EXPEDITIONS
THE MALVERN SPELEOLOGICAL GROUP (MSG), FORMED IN 1957

( The first 9 thanks to Alan Robinson )

Me cautiously emerging from the entrance to Agen Allwed (Brecon Beacons) dreaming of my first pint. Trips were usually on a Sunday and since South Wales was 'dry' at the time, the race to the English Border after a trip was frantic. Ginge Hordell half way up some pitch that I now can't identify - possibly Swildons (Mendips). We made all our own rope ladders etc. and we made them good!
The caving club Dinner and Expedition to Cornwall. This was the one and only Caving Club annual dinner 1957 or 8. I'm top right with my pretentious bow tie. Com Payne is top middle. Ginge Hordell is resting his shoe on Bob (Nob) Yarnold's shoulder (joint secretaries). Pete Todd, far left, proudly wears the 'George Medal' presented to him by MSG for conspicuous gallantry. It was his dearest wish to get one after the Peak cavern incident. Also extreme left is Hugh Nightingale. In front of him ?? next to him Jim Gregory (possibly) This was the one and only Caving Club annual dinner 1957 or 8. I'm top right with my pretentious bow tie. Com Payne is top middle. Ginge Hordell is resting his shoe on Bob (Nob) Yarnold's shoulder (joint secretaries). Pete Todd, far left, proudly wears the 'George Medal' presented to him by MSG for conspicuous gallantry. It was his dearest wish to get one after the Peak cavern incident. Also extreme left is Hugh Nightingale. In front of him ?? next to him Jim Gregory (possibly)
These days our children go back-packing in Outer Mongolia. Cornwall was far enough in 1958 and meal times were primitive affairs. L to R - Me, Com Payne & Reg Powell. Reg insisted on taking his air rifle with him but never shot a thing as far as I know.
This is Bob Yarnold's article in the November 1959 edition of the site magazine FOCUS This is Bob Yarnold's article in the November 1959 edition of the site magazine FOCUS
An expedition to Agen Allwed, c.1958. L to R:- Ginge Hordell, Split Waterman, Com Payne, Pete Todd & Bob Yarnold. Me, (Alan Robinson) perched on a ledge in Agen Allwed. After 1 mile of crawling, then a boulder choke, the cave opened out into this immense cavern, 1 mile long.
Entrance of Rods Pot (Mendips) c.1958. Bas Spinks & me on the right. Forgotten names of others who were a year above us Com Payne was a particular mate who was instrumental in the loss off my virginity in later years (but we won't go into that here)
In Rods Pot. Bas Spinks & me (Alan Robinson) on the left. Reg Powell contemplates the meaning of life in Swildons (Mendips)

Thanks to Keith Richardson:
The only time that I tried caving. It was in a cave near the imfamous Aggi Aggi. I can see Hugh Nighingale and Clive Cheadle in and a whole bunch of familiar faces that I cant put a name to.

Photos or stuff like this will be welcome. Please email it in jpg, gif or similar format.