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THE BEGINNING:
INGLETON

Escape from school - start career & get away from mother - at least for the weekend!!
Assembly at Ingleton, Yorkshire Dales c.1963 for a camping & drinking rest from work. Two work mates here:- Glyn, playing the guitar, & Byron at the back with (soon to be)first wife Lynnne.

Yes! Waiting for the pub to open!! Ingleton was the in place at the time for hippies, travellers & anaraks!!
Soon to meet a few "potters" and join the "underground"!!

At last!! The pubs open!!
It's probably only 10am in the morning but we had some serious drinking to do. No worry about driving, the mini was not ours! We had all hitch-hiked straight from work on Friday night and were eager to get the "ball rolling"!!

LOFTHOUSE:

T his is probably a hostelry in Lofthouse, Yorkshire, where I'm singing for my "supper" watched intently by Wally, who kept bringing the beer! and who I havn't seen now for 35 years.
There was a cave here of sorts, a rather muddy and low bedding plain crawl, where your boots got caught between the floor & ceiling! This place was more remembered for when Hughie (see Cornwall) fell down into the gorge, in his sleep; where we found him happily snoring away the next morning and hauled him off to Harrogate Infirmary with a broken foot: Fortunately the only injury of any consequence to any of the club!

HORTON:

Bridge on the Ribble by the Crown Hotel, Horton in Ribblesdale, Yorkshire Dales.
Situated about 4 miles north of Settle "The gateway to the Dales."
This shot, of overcast weather - typical of the area, was taken c.1979 on a return visit from the Island with my then fiance, Clare, to show her what I got up to!
The landlady immediately recognised me after 15 or so years, even though she had to remind me of my nickname - "Porky Pete" - dont tell anyone!!

Another "Singalong" session at the Crown.This was to become our second home and the base camp for our weekly descents into the lower labrynths, and some pot-holes too!!
We didn,t have to stagger far afterwards as we pitched camp by the river in the farmers field behind the pub. He would come round early in the morning and poke you with a stick to solicit "fees!" before his wife got to us with her large handbag!!

One of the very few photo's in or near a cave.
Cameras didn't like water; in those days, anyway!!
Keith has had enough; thats me telling him to get up.
Poor Kenny, just seen coming out, was the best potholer of us all!!
After all the perils and dangers of our sport he finally fell off a scaffold at work!!

The Airedale Caving Club. c.1966. Me- second rear on right, leaning on Kenny.
Obviously early days as it was not often we had such a full turnout and folk had a tendancy to go of and get married! or just cry off as things got tougher!!.
Little Wally is being leaned on heavily by "Gonk" and Brian at the back!!

Pen Y Ghent Mountain, just visible in the mists on this rather poor shot, was the host of several of our underground ventures; including Hunt Pot, Penyghent Pot, renowned for its many large pitches, and Sell Gill Holes, all as I recall, accessed from the road fork behind the Crown.
The other fork headed towards Alum pot, Jingling caves and Ribblehead Viaduct.

The Club. ready to tackle Alum Pot!
We took the girls down on this occasion (the long way round!!)
Me standing on the right next to Kenny, and Hughie, another sadly not with us any more.
Byron being "Laid back" at my feet; He was still a bit like that to the end!!
Its unfortunate that we were the only two to remain in touch; infact we worked together here in the Isle of Man until he sadly passed on in Dec 22 2003! If anyone recognises their former youthfulness please get in touch!! pkil@talk21.com

FEEDBACK:

As a result of above plea Kim has kindly sent this photo of a recent club reunion at the Crown Hotel - 21-22 October 2005. Back (L to R, Dickie, Norma (Landlady - still!!), Punch, Mick Rhodes, Gonk, & Moggy.
Front, Eileen, Ned (With hair - Kims hubby), Jimmy White & Son.
I was gutted to find I had missed it, perhaps because nobody knew where I was, or for reasons even more sinister! Maybe next time!
I believe Kim airedalecavers@aol.com has more shots of the event!

DERBYSHIRE:

Best photo of all. My favourite. After a gruelling trip down a large hole near Matlock!
By a hillside cafe somewhere enjoying a coke or two! Real refreshment to come later! I played the guitar in a pub for the rest of the day. Never had to buy a pint!! Great local welcome!!

I dont know why I look so menacing (second right)! The girl on the left is holding my helmet after all!! Can't remember her name. She seemed to follow us every where. I dont think anyone knew her name!
Another roadside cafe for tea and buns (well it is Matlock!!)after another underground yomp. The girls tended to sit around, above ground, doing....er.. girlie things!!

CORNWALL:

The end of an era! No potholes here! Only the boozers left. Seem to be putting weight on. No! Thats me holding up the tent. The big chap is Hughie. He was as heavy as his age (in stones). He was 22 here!!
A relaxing time away from holes!! This was probably one of the last hols before we we packed up potholing and took on Ireland and the Guinness.
But thats another tale!!