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General Info

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Welcome to Devon Spelæological Society

The Devon Spelæological Society (DevonSS) is a medium-sized caving club of around 60 members based in South Devon. Founded in 1947, we are one of the oldest established clubs in the country.

We are a friendly group, with active members aged from 18 to 65+, new members are always welcome.

 

We meet nearly every Wednesday of the year as follows:

1st Wednesday - Welcome Inn, Haven Banks, Exeter

2nd Wednesday - alternate months - Club Hut Meet, Crest Hill, Buckfastleigh or Devon Cave Rescue practice

3rd Wednesday - Clay Cutters Inn, Chudleigh Knighton

4th Wednesday - Local Caving Trip

5th Wednesday - DevonSS on Tour

 

We also hold weekend meets normally monthly, visiting other caving areas all over the country and sometimes beyond

If you are interested in joining, contact us by using the contact us link in the top right corner, selecting new member.

For all member content please sign in.

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Joining Devon SS

If you think the Devon Spelæological Society (Devon SS) might be for you then contact us by using the "Contact Us" link above or email us on new_member[removethis]@devonss.org.uk,  to find out more.

We meet weekly in Devon and have a weekend trip at least once a month.  It is usually best to initially come to a local social meet, where you will meet some of our members, often a suitable trip at a convenient time for everyone can be organised for you during these meetings.  (Its always worth letting us know you are coming to meet us, so you can be sure someone will be there to meet you).

You will not be expected to join the club immediately, its a good idea to see if you like caving first and check the club is what you expected.

At first we can help provide some of the kit you will need, this is often free on your first trip, after that we can put you in contact with the supplier of our loan kit who will often loan kit for a small fee.

Joining Devon SS brings with it several member benefits.

  • A group of people to safely explore the underground
  • Help to secure permits and/or keys to locked caves (being a member of a club is often part of access conditions)
  • Use of club equipment (e.g. ladders, ropes)
  • Staying at the club hut at membership rates
  • Special hut fee rates at a number of other club huts.
  • Access to the Club Member Website, which holds lots more information about our activities and caves
  • Access to Club Library material via our Club Librarian
  • Regular email updates via our Spam protected mail lists
  • Club Journal, published at least once a year
  • A Discount on caving kit from ISCA Outdoor Caving Equipment for all Devon SS members

For further information regarding membership or to apply please contact us by using the "Contact Us" link above or email us on new_member[removethis]@devonss.org.uk ,

 

Annual Membership Rates for 2009 / 2010

To calculate how much to pay, add your Membership subscription to the appropriate insurance amount (see below)

Devon SS Membership Subscription Yearly Renewal Jan-Jun Jul-Dec
Active Cavers (Single Membership) £ 15 £15 £ 7.50
Active Cavers (Joint Membership)
£12.50 each £25 total £12.50 each £25 total £ 6.25 each £12.50 total
Non Cavers (Associate Membership) £ 10 £ 10 £ 5
Membership / Insurance from BCA Yearly Renewal Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec
Active Caver £ 16 £ 16 £ 12 £ 8 £ 4
Non Caver £ 5 £ 5 £ 3.75 £ 2.50 £ 1.25
BCA cover through another club or direct Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil

Notes

Membership is open to any person over the age of 18 interested in the aims of the Society, subject to approval of a majority of the committee. The society requires of each member undertaking caving or caving related activities in its name that they be appropriately insured for third party and public liability risks that may arise in connection with these activities.  Therefore BCA Membership / Insurance is a compulsory requirement of membership.

The Secretary may grant Provisional Membership to applicants who are proposed by two full members.  After a period of time Provisional Members may be granted Full Membership if they satisfy the committee of their suitability to participate in the activities of the society, this would normally involve the prospective member taking part in club activities on a regular basis in order to get to know members and/or showing a commitment to the club in another way.

The Committee has the right to suspend the membership of any member if two thirds of the committee resolves that a member's conduct is detrimental to the society. A general meeting of the society shall have the power to revoke any such suspension. It shall also have the power to terminate the membership of any suspended member.

On joining the Society all members must adopt and adhere to Club's Rules and Constitution.

 

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What is Caving?

This page is designed to provide anyone interested in caving with a brief overview of the sport. Don't hesitate to contact us if we haven't answered your question!

If you're new to caving. Speleology, caving and potholing - these are different words for the same activity; the discovery and exploration of caves. Virtually all caves are found within limestone rock and are formed by rain water, which is mildly acidic, dissolving away the rock leaving behind voids. Over thousands of years, the erosion of the rock by the acid together with the flow of the water form vast underground systems unlike anything on the surface.

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Weather

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Hut

Our Bunkhouse is located in Buckfastleigh, Devon and provides very comfortable accomodation for 16 people, situated on the Southern flanks of Dartmoor, very close to some of the most popular caves in Devon.

It has bunks for 16 upstairs in 2 rooms, 4 and 12, a large lounge and refurbished cooking facilities downstairs. There is also a recently refurnished changing / storage area with 2 showers.  The storage area doubles up as a large drying room.

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Links

Official DSS Website

Devon Speleological Society Website www.devonss.org.uk

Local Information

Have a look at some of the caves in Devon

Devon Cave Rescue Organisation www.devon-cave-rescue.org.uk

South Dartmoor Bunkhouse www.southdartmoorbunkhouse.co.uk

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