Symposium – Saturday 11th October 2025 Field trips – Sunday 12th October 2025 School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol FIRST CIRCULAR The British Cave Research Association are pleased to announce details of the 36th Annual Cave Science Symposium and associated field trips. The symposium will be hosted by Professor David Richards, Linda Wilson and…
The latest edition of the BCRA’s Cave and Karst Science contains five papers, some shorter contributions and a photo spread. Maria Box and colleagues have been studying how Seasonal temperature and ventilation changes govern proxy-signal transfer into caves in northern Mongolia. They note that cave monitoring is essential for the accurate interpretation of speleothem-based environmental…
The latest edition of the BCRA’s Cave and Karst Science contains four main papers. Lee Knight, Nataša Mori and Anton Brancelj have carried out a pilot study of the biota of percolating cave waters in Britain which they believe can act as a proxy for the epikarst aquifer. Dripping water habitats within caves (drips or…
The latest edition of the BCRA’s Cave and Karst Science contains five main papers, and a photo feature. It begins, however, with tributes to David St. Pierre, John Wilcock and David William Gill. The editors write that, yet again, it is their sad privilege to introduce and present words of tribute and celebration dedicated to…
The latest edition of the BCRA’s Cave and Karst Science contains six main papers, some shorter forum pieces, including meeting reports and photo features; it begins with a retrospective appreciation of Gerald Wilford. Many will not have heard of Dr Wilford, but the effects of his work reverberate throughout the work of the BCRA. Without…
The BCRA Cave Science Symposium and AGM is taking place on 21st and 22nd October 2023 in Leeds.
There are five main papers, two short Forum pieces and a Photo Feature in the latest edition of the BCRA’s Cave and Karst Science, but it begins with an extensive tribute to the late Alexander Klimchouk. Alexander Klimchouk was undeniably one of the most influential cave researchers in the world and this well-deserved appreciation of…
There are five main papers in the latest issue of Cave and Karst Science, looking at aspects of cave biology, archaeology and karst science. There is also, in a new departure a photo feature on corals in Wookey Hole. Terry Reeve has been looking at available details of archaeological and Pleistocene palaeontological sites associated with…
BCRA Cave Science Symposium 2022 hosted jointly with the Manchester Geological Association Symposium – Saturday 8th October, 2022 Field-trip – Sunday 9th October, 2022 Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Manchester SECOND CIRCULAR The British Cave Research Association and Manchester Geological Association are pleased to announce details of the 33rd Annual Cave Science…
BCRA Council has awarded Honorary Membership of the Association to Dr David J ‘Deej’ Lowe. The award is in recognition of his outstanding service to the science of speleology and his service to BCRA. The former is evidenced by his many publications including contributions to papers on the hydrogeology of the Peak District and most…
The 33rd BCRA Cave Science Symposium, hosted jointly with the Manchester Geological Association Symposium – Saturday 8th October, 2022 Field-trip – Sunday 9th October, 2022 Venue – Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Manchester First Circular and Call for Abstracts The British Cave Research Association (BCRA) and Manchester Geological Association (MGA) are pleased…
The BCRA Cave Archaeology Group is holding a weekend field meeting on Recording Historic Graffiti & other markings in the Yorkshire Dales, based at Lower Winskill Farm, Settle on the weekend of 4th/5th June 2022. Friday An informal evening get-together for any early arrivals. Saturday Morning session: Introductions and information, talks and presentations. Lunch: 1200hrs…
The British Caving Association (BCA) and the British Cave Research Association (BCRA) have issued their own open letters after widespread condemnation of the statement by the International Union of Speleology (UIS) on the Russian war against Ukraine. And Ukrainian cave explorer and cave scientist Dr Alexander Klimchouk has been made an honorary member of the…
An introduction to the geology, hydrology and landforms of the upper Dove Valley. This is one of the best places in the country to examine the influence of geology on the evolution of the landscape and the formation of karst features. The field trip will start at the British Caving Library, Glutton Bridge at 10:30am…
) The latest issue of Cave and Karst Science opens with a study of the impact of tourists on air flow in Poole’s Cavern. Later papers include a review of karstification of Permian limestones in northeastern England and a pictorial overview of travertine cascades from around the world. John Gunn, Matt Rowberry and Andrew Smith…
On the afternoon of 15th January 2022, the BCRA is hosting their 32rd Cave Science Symposium, a series of online talks postponed from November 2021 due to extreme weathers. The afternoon of talks on conservation, biofilms, speleothems, water tracing and speleogenis, includes presentations from Jo White on biofilms of British caves and mines, Bethany Fox…
In this newsletter: BCRA Cave Science Symposium. Saturday 27 November 2021, BCRA AGM. Saturday 27 November 2021, BCRA Annual Review for 2020, December Seminar, BCRA Council Officers for 2021. BCRA Cave Science Symposium. Saturday 27 Nov 2021 If you have registered to attend the Science Symposium, you should have received a copy of the programme….
In this newsletter: British Cave Research Association Cave Science Symposium. Saturday 27 Nov 2021, BCRA AGM. Saturday 27 Nov 2021, Volunteer needed to help with publications mailings, Cave & Karst Science mailings, back issues of C&KS and the CREG journal, The Karst and Caves of Morecambe Bay by Phillip MURPHY (ed.). BCRA Cave Science Symposium….
The latest issue of Cave and Karst Science is dominated (the editors’ word!) by karst and caves within the English chalk. There are also, though papers on aspects of cave archaeology, including historic graffiti in an underground stone quarry and the excavated remains of domesticated dogs from a cave on the Gower peninsula. An informative…
Covid continues to create certainty for events organisers, with some cancelled and others moving online, but there might be light at the end of the tunnel … unless it’s a caver coming the other way. Hidden Earth: the National Caving Conference The following announcement has been made by the Hidden Earth team: “We are sorry…
A BCRA field trip to the karst of the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be held on Saturday 17th July, led by Phil Murphy. The striking landscape around Arnside and Silverdale in north west England consists of a series of partially-wooded limestone hills (knolls) separated by areas of water-logged low-lying ground,…
The latest issue of Cave and Karst Science opens with a comparison of straw stalactites in caves and those beneath bridges and buildings. Later papers include work on conservation in the tropics, bears in late-glacial Yorkshire and an account of early speleobiological work. The issue contains four major papers. in the first, Garry K. Smith…
The latest issue of Cave and Karst Science kicks off with two detailed biological papers, detailing work in Meghalaya and the Caucasus. Other papers are based on work in the UK and include LiDAR survey, fracture displacement monitoring and Palaeoenvironmental studies. This issue contains six major papers. The first two are concerned with biological studies….
Delegates from more than 30 countries came together virtually to take part in the 31st Cave Science Symposium of the British Cave Research Association on 14th November 2020. Peter Burgess reports from the comfort of his armchair … The meeting was arranged and hosted online jointly by Northumbria University and the British Geological Survey. Mike…
The BCRA Cave Science Symposium is being held by Zoom on Saturday 14th November. You can still register for free. BCRA Newsletter In this newsletter: Cave Science Symposium – how to register, Annual General Meeting – how to register, BCRA Review 2019 – now published. Cave Science Symposium Our annual cave science symposium will be…
In this newsletter: online event, Connecting with Cave Research – Advice for Student Researchers, BCRA Review 2019 available for pre-order now, and details of the Annual General Meeting. Connecting with Cave Research – Advice for Student Researchers ONLINE WEBINAR: Monday 19 October, 19:00 to 21:30 BST This is an online webinar, hosted…
To sign up for this event, please follow the link here, and please pass details of this to your club and any students you know.
The next BCRA Cave Science Symposium will take place on Saturday November 14th 2020 using an online portal. The meeting will be hosted by Professor Mike Rogerson at the University of Northumbria. BCRA would very much enjoy contributions that discuss how caves have behaved during the lockdown period and are also open to abstracts on…
The latest edition of the BCRA’s journal Cave and Karst Science is wholly dedicated to the reports from the 2019 Greenland Caves Project 2019 expedition. This was the latest and largest of a series of expeditions which started in 2015. It involved an interdisciplinary team, with members specialising in geology, glacial geomorphology, palaeoclimatology and…
>>Latest COVID-19 News In this newsletter… Field Meetings and Library access (COVID 19) Membership Renewal Latest periodicals now online British Cave Science Centre For news and information, go to… Facebook Our Calendar Our News Forum UKcaving Field Meetings and Library access (COVID 19) Not unexpectedly, the COVID-19 situation means that we are having to postpone…
Reports on large cave fish from Meghalaya, archaeological sites in Scotland and Derbyshire, ice caves in Yorkshire and carbon dioxide – historically and geologically – are amongst the features in the new edition of Cave and Karst Science. There are ten main articles in volume 46 no. 3 as well as some shorter pieces in…
Introducing guidelines and a standing recording method is one of the aims of next May’s BCRA cave archaeology field meeting. It will take place from 8th May – 10th May at Lower Winskill Farm, Settle, in the Yorkshire Dales and will include the recording of historic graffiti and other markings. Details will be announced closer to the…
In this newsletter … Caves and Karst of the Yorkshire Dales – volume 2 This book has now been reduced in price to £25. It can be ordered online, along with volume 1. There is a 20% discount for BCRA members, and postage is free. Cave & Karst Science 46(3) and CREGJ 108 These publications…
The BCRA’s 30th annual science symposium took place at Keyworth,hosted by the British Geological Survey. I attended the Saturday session and was impressed by the depth and variety of scientific work being undertaken by British cavers. The morning session kicked off with a description of palaeokarst features found in the Pielkhlieng Pouk-Krem Sakwa system in…
The British Cave Research Association is pleased to announce details of the 30th Annual Cave Science Symposium. The Symposium will be hosted by Dr. Andy Farrant of the British Geological Survey (BGS), Keyworth, Nottingham, on Saturday 19th October, 2019. The symposium will feature a keynote lecture by Dr. Peter Wynn (University of Lancaster) dedicated to…
Reports on huge closed depressions in China, maze caves and bones from a site in the north of England are among the features in the latest edition of Cave and Karst Science. There are six main articles in the volume 46 number 2, as well as some shorter pieces in the Forum section. The first…
In this newsletter… Cave Karst Science Cave & Karst Science 46(2) has now been mailed and should be with UK subscribers by now. It is also available online. Hidden Earth After some problems finding a venue, Hidden Earth is being held on 27 – 29 September 2019 in Wrexham in North Wales. Details can be…
Mike Bedford talks about cave radios, cave communications and much more in the annual report of the BCRA’s Cave Radio and Electronics Group. Our decision, a few years ago, to broaden our remit to cover other areas of cave technology than our initial emphasis on communications and electronics has been evident during 2018. In one…
The British Cave Research Association (BCRA) recently held its Spring Field Meeting at the British Cave Monitoring Centre, Poole’s Cavern, Buxton in Derbyshire. This was an interesting day looking at cave data logging and graphical analysis of a variety of data. Andy Hall talks about what went on during the day. The data collected during…
Reports on amphibians and reptiles in caves, 3-D cave mapping, and racial segregation in a South African cave are among the features in the April issue of Cave and Karst Science. There are five main articles in Volume 46, Number 1, as well as some shorter pieces in the Forum section. The first is a…
In this newsletter… BCRA Field meeting. Saturday/Sunday 29/30 June 2019 in Alston, Cumbria This weekend field meeting is entitled “Hypogenic Caves of the North Pennines UNESCO Global Geopark”. This is a joint meeting of the British Cave Research Association (BCRA) and The North Pennines UNESCO Global Geopark (NPUGG). It will be based at Nenthead Village…
A one-day British Cave Research Association field meeting will be held at the British Cave Monitoring Centre, Poole’s Cavern and Buxton Country Park on Saturday 27 April. The event is courtesy of the Buxton Civic Association, who own the site. It will be led by Professor John Gunn and Dr Andi Smith, with assistance from…
The December 2018 issue of Caves and Karst Science is now available. Volume 45, Number 3 carries six articles. The first is a report on the distribution of deposits of cool freshwater tufa, which are ubiquitous on the calcareous island of Lismore in Loch Linnhe, Argyll. Tufa deposits are rare in Scotland but at this…
Linda Wilson picked up some intriguing tips at the British Cave Research Association’s 29th cave science symposium as well as drinking plenty of tea … If you wanted to find out how to annoy our cross-channel neighbours, which caves you might want to avoid if spiders aren’t your thing and why you might soon be…
In this newsletter … * Annual General Meeting * Notice: Ghar Parau Foundation * BCRA Annual Review 2017 * Keeping in touch with BCRA Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the 2018 Annual General Meeting of the British Cave Research Association will be held on Saturday 13 Oct 2018 at 12:00 during the…
The August 2018 issue of Caves and Karst Science is now available. Volume 45, Number 2 carries five main articles; the first being a subjective summary of the history, activities, publications and some of the characters of the former CRG and BCRA Hydrology Groups (1964–1999) written by John Wilcock. John hopes that current BCRA members…
The British Cave Research Association is pleased to announce the final details of the 29th Annual Cave Science Symposium to be held Saturday 13th October, 2018 in Bristol, as well as a field trip to GB Cave, Mendip on Sunday 14th October, 2018. Whether you are an academic, an amateur scientist, or a caver wanting…
In this newsletter … * British Caving Library Updates * BCRA Publicity Officer * AGM Notice * 29th Annual BCRA Cave Science Symposium * BCRA Stock of Back-Issues * CREG Journal 102 – now online * Hidden Earth 2018 * Hidden Earth Cave Science Photo Competition News can also be found on the forum and…
The December issue of Caves and Karst Science is now available. Volume 44, Number 3 carries four main articles, starting with a paper on Karst conduit complexity by John Gunn, demonstrated by a dye tracing experiment from Rowter Hole, Castleton in Derbyshire, one of the most intensively investigated karst areas in Britain, with over 40…
New research by academics from the University of Leicester and the British Museum, working with colleagues from the British Geological Survey and Cambridge University, outlines the science behind the largest concentration of indigenous pre-Columbian rock art in the Caribbean. Exploration and surveys of around 70 cave systems — part of an interdisciplinary study of past…
We reported last year that cryogenic cave crystals (CCCs) had been found for the first time in the UK in Wookey Hole in 2015. Gina Moseley and Mark Luetscher from Innsbruck University had been investigating CCCs for some time in the Alps and want to extend the research to the UK, and are calling for…
Cave and Karst Science’s August 2017 issue is now available. Volume 44, Number 2 carries six main articles, starting with ‘Deeply submerged speleothems in Keld Head, Kingsdale, Yorkshire’ by John Cordingley, David Lowe and Tony Waltham, which examines the significance of a deposit of laminated flowstone lying at a depth of 9m, 550m into the…
British Cave Research Association, 28th Cave Science Symposium hosted jointly with the Yorkshire Geological Society and Leeds Geological Association Symposium – Saturday 21st October, 2017 Field-trip(s) – Sunday 22nd October, 2017 School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds SECOND CIRCULAR & CALL FOR ABSTRACTS 1st July, 2017 The British Cave Research Association, Yorkshire Geological…
BCRA 2017 Field Meeting: Caves and Karst of the Gower Peninsula, Wales. 19-21 May 2017. A personal account. The Salt House, Port Eynon. Friday afternoon. Walk: Pilton Green (NGR SS 4465 8710) via Long Hole Cliff, along the coast path back to…
The British Cave Research Association, Yorkshire Geological Society, and Leeds Geological Association are pleased to announce details of the 28th Annual Cave Science Symposium and associated field-trip. The Symposium will be hosted by Prof. Simon Bottrell and Dr. Phillip Murphy of the School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, on Saturday 21st October, 2017….
27th British Cave Research Association Cave Science Symposium, Saturday 22nd October, 2016 Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford Call for Abstracts The response to the first call for abstracts has been very positive and it already looks like we will have a fascinating collection of talks on archaeology, biospeleology and hydrology. We still welcome…
Haggs Brow Cave Excavations, Lower Winskill Yorkshire Dales National Park. May 2016. A personal account by Vince Simmonds. Looking down the track to Lower Winskill. Introduction: Haggs Brow Cave is located on the Haggs, an area of former managed woodland or wood pasture at Lower Winskill Farm, near Settle. Haggs Brow Cave is…
Volume 42 of The Transactions of the British Cave Research Association for December 2015 is now available. The current edition contains papers on: “Hidden Recesses of Nature” – the science and aesthetics of subterranean space and the identity of the cave explorer: 1660 -1800 by Frank Pearson; Rates of calcite precipitation from hyperalkaline waters, Poole’s…
One of the activities of the British Caving Library is cataloguing collections of donated caving material from once active cavers, mainly documents in the form of log books and so on, but also an audio archive. Some of this, it is planned, will become accessible online. The BCL also recognises that there are other collections…
