The Tratman Award, 2015
The Tratman Award has been awarded annually since 1979 to a caving-related paper-based publication in memory of E.K. Tratman, who died in 1978. It covers books, journals and articles published in a calendar year and is administered by the Ghar Parau Foundation, but judged by independent cavers; for 2015 these were Joe Duxbury, Ric Halliwell, Chris Howes, Alan Jeffreys and Martin Mills (though other opinions were also sought).
From an initial shortlist (to which titles were added and subtracted) the judges argued the strong and weak points of each title, taking into account the standard of printing and binding as well as the inclusion of an index where appropriate, the layout and the quality of writing. In alphabetical order of author, the final shortlist was:
Michael Adams: One Man One Pan
A wonderful, personal tale of exploring caves in China over the course of two early expeditions
Available from Blurb
Price £14.33
402 pages
Peter S. Burr: Mines and Minerals of the Mendip Hills
In a two-volume set, an incredible amount of research is packed into a thousand pages that is already the definitive work on the subject
Available from Mendip Cave Registry and Archive
Price £85
ISBN-13: 978-0-9531310-6-8 (Vol.1)
ISBN-13: 978-0-9531310-7-5 (Vol. 2)
2 Volumes, each of 500 pages
Ralph Crane and Lisa Fletcher: Cave. Nature and culture 
Cave is unusual in that it succeeds in crossing divides, merging legend and fact, science and art – any caver willing to be challenged with new ideas will enjoy this book.
Available from Descent
Price £15.95
ISBN-10: 1780234317
ISBN-13: 978-1780234311
224 pages
Marion Dowd: The Archaeology of Caves in Ireland
Marion’s impressive work on caves and archaeology in Ireland is extensive, interestingly written, beautifully presented and well indexed: a superb publication
Available from Descent
Price £40 (sale price, normally £50)
ISBN-10: 1782978135
ISBN-13: 978-1782978138
320 pages
Elaine Hill and Adrian Hall (comps): Northern Sump Index 2015
A description of ‘index’ hardly does justice to this invaluable resource from the Cave Diving Group; the amalgamated surveys at the rear were especially appreciated
Available from the Cave Diving Group
Price £26
Dewi Lloyd (ed): NPC Journal 2015
After a 28-year break, this latest Northern Pennine Club journal brings a host of quality material to readers, providing a finely presented and valuable archive of exploration in the Dales
Available from Starless River
Price £16
Duncan Price: Underwater Potholer
Simply a damn good read from this cave diver and explorer, written on a personal level.
Available from Whittles Publishing
Price £18.99 (also available as an ebook)
ISBN 13: 978-184995-158-6
224 pages
Michael Shaw, David Poyner and Robert Evans: Aerial Ropeways of Shropshire
Another high-quality account from the Shropshire Caving and Mining Club; while the title might suggest a dry, obscure publication, it is eminently readable by any enthusiast
Available from Moorebooks
Price £12
0955301955
978-0955301957
68 pages, 87 photographs
Trevor Shaw and Alenka Cuk: Slovene Karst and Caves in the Past
Past winners of the Tratman Award, Trevor and Alenka have broadened the appeal of cave history, making the text more accessible to a wider Slovene readership
Available from Moorebooks
Price £45
ISBN 13: 978-961-257-740-0
464 pages
After much discussion, made vastly more difficult by the high number of excellent publications considered, the Tratman Award for 2015 goes to Marion Dowd for The Archaeology of Caves in Ireland. Congratulations are due for her outstanding work ‘from which the sun shines’ to quote one judge, who also suggested that it ‘should act as a model for similar regional books in Ireland, the UK – and indeed Europe’, a sentiment backed by the other judges. The remaining works are all highly commended, in itself a prestigious achievement. The award is a piece of original artwork by Mark ‘Gonzo’ Lumley, which will be presented at EuroSpeleo 2016.
Correspondent: Chris Howes, on behalf of the judges
