Rules governing access to Ogof Ffynnon Ddu

OFD I Access


It is necessary to have a registered OFD I leader to enter OFD I. This cave is prone to flooding and the leader will know the cave and the escape routes. Please follow the leaders rules below.
Those Clubs who do not have a registered guest leader may apply to SWCC for a leader to take their party in. Applications should be made to the Assistant Secretary.


Midweek access to OFD I


Please will all groups making a midweek trip ensure that their leader contact the family at Y Grithig beforehand, giving as much notice as possible. Their telephone number is on a notice next to the keys at the SWCC H.Q. and is also held by the local keyholders. This is to protect their water supply, they need to know when cavers are in the OFD I streamway so they can avoid drawing water at the same time. They don't want to draw water when you've had your muddy wellies in there stirring it up.

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu I - Leaders Rules

  1. The Leader is responsible for his party at all times and must check that the party is suitably equipped for the trip contemplated. If, in his/her opinion, this is not the case he is required to refuse to lead the party.
  2. All parties shall be accompanied by a Leader appointed by the S.W.C.C. Committee. No Leader may take in a party which is organised on behalf of an organisation deriving profit from the venture unless he/she has, in advance, obtained in writing the permission of the owner/S.W.C.C. for that particular visit.
  3. The Destination Board at the S.W.C.C. Headquarters should be used.
  4. Access to the rest of the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu System requires a C.C.W. Permit (see below).
  5. Midweek trips may only be made by prior arrangement with the owners of Y Grithig. (NB The stream is their drinking supply)
  6. Carbide lamps may not be used under any circumstances.
    .Marker tapes must not be crossed or moved under any circumstances.
  7. The gate is to be kept locked at all times.
  8. The party shall be subject to a maximum of 5, including the Leader, but for parties containing novices, this shall be reduced to at least one competent person per two novices. If one person in the party does not know the cave then the party shall consist of at least 3 persons.
  9. The stream can rapidly become impassable, particularly to novices, and Leaders should avoid it when higher than 6 inches at 'The Step'. If difficulty is experienced after starting upstream, the route via the Maypole Series should be used rather than attempting pots 3 and 4.
  10. The Escape Route is quite exposed and Leaders must satisfy themselves that the party is capable of the traverse before committing to it. If there is any doubt, then the whole party shall be roped over using 2 karabiners on a waist length which should be carried for this purpose.
  11. The Canyon and Annexe are to be preserved as far as possible; for this reason parties will be limited to 1 Leader per two experienced cavers only. No work is to be done which might change the environment without the permission of the Owner.
  12. No work is to be done which may endanger other cavers and for this reason Attic Passage shall normally be out of bounds. Any digs shall be left in a safe condition or blown in.
  13. Leaders are expected to see that no damage is done in the cave. Any accident or damage is to be reported to the Owner.
  14. Any apparatus seen in the cave is not to be tampered with.
  15. Cars may not be parked at Y Grithig but should be left in the lay-by at the entrance to the lane.
  16. Cavers should not 'short cut' across the fence between the entrance and the footpath, but should pass through the yard of Y Grithig.
  17. The position of Leader may be withdrawn at any time, by the Owner or by the S.W.C.C., without the reasons being disclosed.
  18. GUEST LEADERS, nominated by other Clubs and accepted as Leaders by the Owner and S.W.C.C., must abide by the above rules and may only lead parties from the Club for which they have been nominated and accepted as Leaders.

Access to Ogof Ffynnon Ddu II & Cwm Dwr

The entrances to OFD II & Cwm Dwr are located in a National Nature Reserve administered by the Countryside Council For Wales (CCW) and all visiting cavers must be authorised to do so by a CCW permit.
The permit is required for access to OFD II or Cwm Dwr and this includes through trips from OFD I. Unless you are a member of a club with an annual permit, you will need to arrange this in advance with the CCW by contacting the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu Management Committee Permit Secretary

The cave entrances are gated, keys can be collected from SWCC H.Q. on production of a permit.
Such permits are available, via the OFDMC Permit Secretary, to members of clubs which are member clubs of one of the Regional Councils of the BCA. Permits are normally valid only for a specified date. The OFDMC will consider applications for permits that are valid for one year but such permits are normally granted only to clubs that visit the cave frequently and have, over a significant period, demonstrated a responsible attitude to safety and conservation.
Access to Ogof Ffynnon Ddu I is not administered by the OFDMC, but parties entering Ogof Ffynnon Ddu II via this part of the cave require a CCW permit to do so.

Conditions of Access to OFD II & Cwm Dwr

  1. Parties shall be limited to a maximum of six persons, including the leader.
  2. Unless the SWCC HQ is closed (when other arrangements must be made) a key-ticket which indicates the name of each person entering the Cave must be completed. The destination board by the main door of the HQ must be used. Parties are required to make other arrangements for call-out if leaving the cave after 5.00pm on Sundays.
  3. The leader is responsible for the conduct, safety AND the provision of the necessary equipment to complete the trip. They must also draw the attention of their party to the conditions relating to the use of any fixed equipment within the Cave. This information is displayed on the board in the SWCC HQ. (A copy of these will be given to mid-week users).
  4. Permits are issued for ENTRY ONLY. Camping, digging and the use of explosives, dye traces and other research projects require special permission.
  5. Marker tapes must not be crossed or moved, under any circumstances.
  6. ONLY electric lighting is to be used. Carbide MUST NOT be taken into the Cave.
  7. The gates are to be locked at all times.
  8. No litter whatsoever is to be left either inside or outside the Cave. No cairns are to be built inside or outside the Cave.
  9. Installations, apparatus and equipment must not be damaged. If accidental damage occurs this should be reported immediately upon return.
  10. Access to the land surface of the OFD National Nature Reserve is unrestricted, but visitors are asked to help protect the wildlife and natural beauty of this reserve by:
    i. Avoiding damage to trees, plants, fences and walls.
    ii. Preventing fires.
    iii. Avoiding disturbance to grazing stock.
  11. Failure to observe these conditions may result in any future application to the Management Committee for entry to the NNR being refused.


Ogof Ffynnon Ddu II Streamway


Please note that:

  1. CAVERS ARE ADVISED TO WEAR WETSUITS IN THIS STREAMWAY.
  2. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT NOVICES SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN INTO THE OFD II STREAMWAY.

Columns Access

Access to the Columns ( in OFD II ) has been restricted since 1978 following a number of incidents of wanton damage to the area. The Columns and adjacent floor are particularly vulnerable because, being formed from limekiln seepage, they are much more fragile than conventional calcite formations. All parties visiting the Columns must therefore be accompanied by a Warden.
Wardens will normally be available to accompany parties on the Sundays of Easter, May Day, Spring, August, and New Year Bank Holidays. Parties wishing to visit the Columns at these times do not need to make any prior arrangement, but should have a valid permit for OFD II and should make themselves known to the Warden by 10.00am on the Bank Holiday Sunday.

OFD II Permits

In order to obtain a permit for OFD II, please contact the OFDMC Permit Secretary by e-mail Permit Secretary or by writing, enclosing an SAE to:-

Elaine Owen
19, Parham Road
Gosport
Hants
PO12 4TZ

Tel: 02392 715382

Please read the Access Conditions before applying.