BCA Newsletter no 37 for January 2019 is now available. Editor David Rose has produced a bumper issue starting with a few words from him as well as from BCA chair, Les Williams, who recently represented the BCA at a reception in London in the Speaker’s residence in the Houses of Parliament to honour the Thai cave rescuers.

A group has been formed, led by Hellie Adams, to look at a new vision for BCA and Hellie is encouraging as many people as possible to participate by completing a questionnaire as part of this process. There’s also a piece by Tim Allen on the same subject, together with two pieces republished from Darkness Below that look at the BCA from the point of view of a group of students who were set an unusual university assignment!

Andy Eavis talks about the prestigious Merdeka award given to the Mulu Caves Project, worth about £50,000. There is a possibility that this money will be able to benefit the Ghar Parau Foundation, and Andy is happy to discuss this with anyone who would like to contact him.

A lot has been happing in the north on the access front, and Matt Ewles from CNCC provides a rundown of work in this area, including the new booking system for caves on the Ingleborough estate. There have been additions to the CNCC catalogue of cave route descriptions as their website continues to be expanded, and there’s now a substantial document covering most of the major Scottish caves, written by Alan Jeffreys. Links to this can be found in the newsletter.

For lovers of caving fiction, Linda Wilson has produced a round-up of novels in which caves play a part. Howard Jones, BCA’s new treasurer, talks about the insurance scheme and provides the welcome news that BCA is actively looking at obtaining access to a travel policy for members. He also gives contact details for the brokers if anyone has any insurance-related questions.

Newsletter editor and CroW group convener David Rose provides an update on BCA’s campaign to have caving covered by the Countryside Rights of Way Act. David is actively pursuing various political leads as well as talking to the British Mountaineering Council. Jane Allen has resigned from her role as BCA’s publications and information officer, and her letter to BCA council is given in full.

David has put together a visually attractive newsletter with stacks of informative content, beautifully punctuated by a selection of Mark Burkey’s ever-excellent photos.

You can read the newsletter in full here . At the moment, only eight per cent of BCA members opt to receive the newsletter by email, so if you are a member, do get in contact with the BCA and opt in to the publication and also suggest this to your friends.