27^th British Cave Research Association Cave Science Symposium – Saturday 22^nd October, 2016

Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford

Field-trip – Sunday 23^rd October, 2016, Box Mines, Wiltshire

The British Cave Research Association is pleased to give the final details of its one-day annual Cave Science Symposium to be held on Saturday 22^nd October, 2016 in Oxford, UK. Whether you are an academic, an amateur scientist, or a caver wanting to find out more about the karst environment, you should find something of interest at the Symposium. A provisional programme of presentations is attached and the BCRA AGM will be held from 12.00 until 1.00pm. For any further information, please contact the lecture secretary, Dr. Gina Moseley by 19th October at: gina.moseley@uibk.ac.at.

Registration

Registration will take place on the day between 9.00 and 9.30 am in the Earth Science Department building main atrium. The main rotating glass door to the building faces South Parks Road and is clearly marked with signs.

The admission charge, to include morning and afternoon refreshments, will be £5, with free entry to speakers, students and BCRA members. Donations to help finance the meeting will also be accepted.

Lab Tour

There will be the possibility to join a short tour of the geochemistry laboratories after the close of the main symposium on 22^nd October, 2016. Please email Gina Moseley by 8^th October, 2016, if you would like to join the tour.

Venue & Transport

The venue is located in the University Science Area on South Parks Road, around the corner from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. The address is Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3AN, UK.  (https://www.earth.ox.ac.uk/)

The event is being hosted by Prof. Gideon Henderson and Dr. Stacy Carolin.

View on Google Maps http://tinyurl.com/hcrx8yk

Oxford is easily accessible by road and rail and is just over an hour’s travel from London’s Heathrow Airport. Parking is hard to find in Oxford so it would be wise to use the Park and Ride services (https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/park-and-ride). Visitor parking at the department is for people with disabilities only and is by prior arrangement.

Lunch

There are many options for places to eat in the vicinity of the Department of Earth Sciences. Possible lunch options include:

-Café in the Natural History Museum

-Jimbob’s at the Pavilion in University Parks

-King’s Arms pub down Parks Road

-Several international street food stands at Gloucester Green market

Evening Meal – Saturday 22nd October, 2016

Following the symposium, we will head for an informal evening pub meal at The Royal Oak (https://www.theroyaloakoxford.co.uk/), half a mile from the symposium venue. It’s a favourite of the Oxford-based Earth Scientists! The Symposium is tentatively scheduled to finish at 5.20pm, followed by a short lab tour at 5.30pm, and the meal at 6.30pm. If you are interested in attending the meal please email Gina Moseley (gina.moseley@uibk.ac.at) by October 8^th and she will send you the menu as soon as it becomes available. Examples of the food that the Royal Oak serves and their prices are available on their website, though note that this is the summer menu and will change by the date of the meal.

Accommodation

There are a number of Hotels and Guest Houses within easy walking distance of the Department. Please see the Oxford City website for more details: (http://www.oxfordcity.co.uk/oxford/home_accommodation.html)

Alternative accommodation may be found at Booking.com or Airbnb.com

Field-Trip to Box Mines, Wiltshire – Sunday 23rd October, 2016. In memory of Charlie Self.

The field trip to Box Mines is now full. Please direct any questions related to the field trip to Dr. Trevor Faulkner (t.faulkner@bcra.org.uk).

Important Dates

8^th October, 2016                    Register for the short geochemistry laboratory tour

8^th October, 2016                    Register for the evening meal

19^th October, 2016                  Contact Gina Moseley with enquiries relating to the symposium

22^nd October, 2016                 27^th BCRA Cave Science Symposium, Oxford

23^rd October, 2016                  Field-trip to Box Mines, Wiltshire

21^st October, 2017                  28^th BCRA Cave Science Symposium, Leeds

13^th October, 2018                  29^th BCRA Cave Science Symposium, Bristol

Symposium Organisers

Please contact Stacy Carolin (‎stacy.carolin@earth.ox.ac.uk) for details of the venue and local facilities in Oxford. Contact Gina Moseley (gina.moseley@uibk.ac.at) for details of the programme and for enquiries concerning oral or poster presentations. Contact Trevor Faulkner for details of the field trip (t.faulkner@bcra.org.uk).

Timetable 22nd October, 2016

All are welcome, and we look forward to seeing you at the Symposium.

Correspondent: Gina Moseley