Turbary Pot area fencing repairs
Fencing of various caves around the Turbary Pot area was originally undertaken by CNCC volunteers in 2010, and by Steve Round and fellow cavers in the 1990s, to ensure these pots remained free from grazing animals and to sustain good relations in an area where cavers have enjoyed unrestricted access for many years.
In the years since, the fence posts and strainers have rotted and many have snapped, leaving the pots exposed.
On 22nd April and 28th April, CNCC conservation volunteers Pete Bann and Andrew Hinde, replaced the rotten posts and strainers around Turbary Pot, Kail Pot and Little Pot, allowing the existing stock netting to be reused through application of some novel ‘off label’ techniques.
Of course, we always think of the benefits of fencing as being preventing animals falling down the holes, ensuring their safety, and avoiding the cave becoming blocked by something nasty. However, as a second benefit over the years, the exclusion of grazing animals from the area immediately around these infrequently visited pots has allowed natural regeneration of flowering plants, Juniper and dwarf shrub species, forming a haven for insects and birds.
This work was generously supported by our Community Grant from the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Hinde and Pete Bann.