Hidden Earth

The UK's National Caving Conference and Exhibition

About this Page

This web page is part of the archive of Hidden Earth events that used to be online at hidden-earth.org.uk. That web site has now been decommissioned and so, at present (October 2023), the archived lists of Competition Winners and Staff Credits are not available online, apart from the present year 2023 and the previous event in 2019. Some of the links on this page will be broken.

Late additions highlighted in yellow

Competition Results 2023

Prize Winners

Competition	Category	Level	Winner	Title/Time	Entry Ref.	Prize Won
Speleo-Olympics	Individual	Winner	Brendan Hall	0:43	n/a	Kneepads, Elbow Pads and a glasses strap; all donated by Warmbac, plus a choice of caving club bednights
SRT Races	Women's Assault Course	Winner	Vicky Smith	7:12	n/a	£50 voucher from Starless River, plus a choice of caving club bednights
	Mens Assault Course	Winner	Kieran Appadoo	4:54	n/a	£50 voucher from Starless River, plus a choice of caving club bednights
	Women's 30m Prusik	Winner	Vicky Smith	4:33	n/a	Ceris Jones Artwork, Warmbac Glasses strap, Caves of Assynt, donated by Grampian Speleology Group, plus a choice of caving club bednights
	Men's 30m Prusik	Winner	Kieran Appadoo	1:38	n/a	Ceris Jones Artwork, Warmbac Glasses strap, Caves of Assynt, donated by Grampian Speleology Group, plus a choice of caving club bednights
	Tackle Bag stuffing	Winner	Adrian Turner	1:04	n/a	Ceris Jones Artwork, Warmbac Glasses strap, a book by Jim Eyres Wild Places Publishing, plus a choice of caving club bednights
	Ladder Coiling	Winner	Simon Richardson	1:35	n/a	Pottery from Hand Knitted Pottery, plus a choice of caving club bednights
	Knot Tying	Winner	Kieran Appadoo	0:58	n/a	Ceris Jones Artwork, Warmbac Glasses strap, a book by Jim Eyres Wild Places Publishing, plus a choice of caving club bednights
	Overall Winner	Winner	Kieran Appadoo		n/a	£50 Inglesport Voucher, a Robin Gray Artwork, plus a choice of caving club bednights
Best Club Stand		Winner	Matienzo Cave Project		n/a	selection of books from Mike Moore Books
Survey Salon	Cave Survey Salon	Winner	Rob Watson, George Breley and others	Hammer Pot	n/a	Disto donated by Leica
Survey Salon	Arthur Butcher Award	Winner	Rich Smith		n/a	£100 from BCRA
Art Salon		Winner	Sarah Garlick	Hidden Escapism	n/a	Robin Gray Artwork, Ticket for Dan-Yr-Ogof Caves from National Centre for Showcaves, plus a choice of caving club bednights
Video Salon	Judged Video	Winner	No competition this year		n/a
Photo Salon	Print Class	Winner	Mark Burkey	Frakes Passage	n/a	£50.00 from Jerry and Julie Wooldridge and a limited-edition print donated by Mendip Cave Rescue
	Projection Class	Winner	Chris Howes	Upstream entrance, Xe Bang Fai, Laos	n/a	£50.00 from Jerry and Julie Wooldridge and a limited-edition print donated by Mendip Cave Rescue
	Portfolio (Premier Trophy)	Winner	Chris Howes	Clearwater Cave, Mulu	n/a	£100 from BCRA and the Premier Trophy to keep for a year
		Winner	Chris Howes	Tack Smith in the Clearwater river	n/a
		Winner	Chris Howes	Stone Horse Cave, Mulu	n/a
		Winner	Chris Howes	Clearwater Cave entrance	n/a
		Winner	Chris Howes	Phreatic scallops, Racer Cave	n/a

Merits and Distinctions

For the four 'Salon' competitions – Art, Video Media, Photography and Surveying – we award Merits and Distinctions (or sometimes a 'highly commended') as well as an outright winner.

Competition	Category	Level	Winner	Title/Time	Entry Ref.	Prize Won
Art Salon		Highly Commended	Ash Greig	Spae-LEGO-ology	n/a	Certificate
		Highly Commended	Peter 'Snablet' McNab	Fisherman's Friend	n/a	Certificate
		Highly Commended	Sam Dredge	Caving Huts of Britain 2023	n/a	Certificate
Photo Salon	Print	Merit	Bill Nix	Bath Time! Ret Dung Khur, Meghalaya	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Chris Howes	Frozen River, Ogof Ffynnon Ddu	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Nicky Bayley	Along the Rails	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Nicky Bayley	Loading up the Cart	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Mark Burkey	Pant Mawr pot	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Mark Burkey	Town Drain	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Bartek Biela	Ario bowl	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Bartek Biela	Mini world	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Bartek Biela	Lion King in the Tiger cave	n/a	Certificate
	Projection	Merit	Bill Nix	Pyramid Pot, Tynnings Barrow Swallet	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Chris Howes	Kagekiyo-do, Japan	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Chris Howes	Grotte de la Toussaint gours, France	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Mark Burkey	Swindon�s 7	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Harry Kettle	Cloud Chamber, Dan Yr Ogof	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Harry Kettle	Centipede, Lost Johns	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Bartek Biela	Antigravity Elighes Artas	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Bartek Biela	Dara Sinkhole - The last ascent of �Vier�	n/a	Certificate
		Merit	Dino Dianovszki	Sun rays	n/a	Certificate
	Print	Distinction	Chris Howes	Grotte de la Toussaint, France	n/a	Certificate
	Projection	Distinction	Bill Nix	Upstream Tunnel Ret Dung Khur	n/a	Certificate
	Projection	Distinction	Mark Burkey	Igue de sanit-sol. France	n/a	Certificate

Ad-hoc Competitions

Cave Diving Group 'How long is Martyn Farr's dive reel?'

Prizes donated by the CDG. The second closest guess was 450 mm over, won by Max Fisher, who wins a calendar donated by CDG and a choice of bednights at a caving club. The closest guess was just 273 mm over, so first prize goes to David Hardwick who wins a publication donated by CDG and a choice of bednights at a caving club.

Descent Magazine

The Descent stall had been giving out raffle tickets for every purchase over the weekend, to win a bundle of prizes, including a binder, a snood and an exclusive water bottle. The winner, drawn out of a hat is Lizzie Kinge.

Badge Draw

We ask everyone to return their badges, so we can re-use them next year. The winner, drawn out of the box, was Rhys Williams who wins free entry to the next Hidden Earth.

Comments on Some of the Competitions

Art Salon

The judges commented that 'It was wonderful to see a variety of the media displayed and very exciting to see the range of materials used'.

Photo Salon

David Gibson writes... The Photo salon was made a lot simpler this year. We awarded the Premier Trophy for the best portfolio of five images, and one winner in each of the print and projection classes; as well as merits and distinctions. The two monochrome and colour print classes were merged into one this year. Next year, we will probably re-introduce the Newcomer Award, but there will only be a Cave Life (or Cave Science?) award if somebody steps forward to run this category. As always, the standard was very high, but please remember that this is a salon – the concept is that the photographer will benefit from showing thier work to others and seeing how other photographers handle the subject matter.

Survey Salon

Wookey writes... We had a great set of entries in various styles and it was genuinely hard to pick a winner. We had to be quite strict in the end. Thanks to everyone that entered and the unfortunates I nobbled to be judges. Ultimately the deciding factor was what was missing as much as what was included. The judges really liked the details and use of colour on Phil Ryder's Fairyholes and Western Hope surveys but it did not have any information on the vertical or lack of it. The Matienzo Vailline survey was very impressive too but ultimately we couldn't give 1st place to a survey you can't read even with the supplied magnifying glass (a novel touch). So the winner is actually the most 'classical' style survey there, which looks like it could have been drawn in 1962: Hammer Pot, but it really did let you understand what the cave was like.

Video Media Salon

It was decided, before the event, that there would be was no judged competition this year.

Best Club Stand

Won by Matienzo Cave Project. The judges liked the interactive displays with up-to-date information and the achievements of their expeditions with an international dimension.

Fraser Simpson Award for innovation in video

This annual award is given by the Hidden Earth Team for recognition of excellence in underground video creation. Nominations, with reasons and examples of work are welcomed by the Hidden Earth conference manager in advance of the event. The work does not have to feature in the Video Salon. The award consists of a prize of £100, donated by Hidden Earth, and a returnable engraved stone. Further information is at hidden.earth/salons/video/.

Fraser Simpson died in 2017. He was an audio-visual technical expert at Fife College, an accomplished caver and a key member of Grampian Speleological Group. Fraser was also a valued member of the Hidden Earth team, due to his extensive AV knowledge and expertise. His film-making skills were considerable and the Hidden Earth Team and BCRA Council have agreed to set up an annual award to commemorate him and his contributions.

Video is rapidly becoming the recording medium of choice for many people. Taking underground video, although challenging and complex, is more possible than ever before and (judging from the number of TV-based underground documentaries) of great public interest. The pace of innovation has become bewildering in amateur film making too and there are opportunities to involve new ideas, equipment, concepts, projects and audiences, to harness the potential of ‘filming’ underground. Thus, the Award can acknowledge any aspect of excellence in video, but focussing on the artistic, technical and aesthetic qualities, and particularly on innovation in those fields. It is hoped that the award will be an incentive for people to experiment in this most exciting and flexible creative art.

For 2003 the Frazer Simpson award is given to Paul Taylor for excellence and innovation in his Otter hole video.

Citation by Footleg...

Paul spent over a year working on a camera carriage which could be run along wires across the Hall of 30 to get drone style flying shots of the chamber which showed a unique viewpoint of this famous room without stepping off the narrow trail which runs up alongside one wall. There were many trips to Old Ham mine to test different motor driven carriages supported on kevlar lines. Several trips into Otter Hole just to try and film this one shot were organised by Paul, each involving finding 10 or so volunteers to carry all the lighting gear into the cave on each occasion. Each trip improved on the quality of the footage until Paul had the shot he had envisaged. Paul's unique talent in putting together large teams for long difficult trips was evident throughout. He was always very open to ideas and opinions of others on this project, so it never felt like a one man project that just needed porters. Paul directed others, often allowing them to do much of the camera work while he took on the role of director. It was always a pleasure to work under his direction, having freedom to suggest ways to tackle shots in the cave but having a clear brief and set of goals for the trip. This approach of being the director, and using multiple camera and lighting people to do those jobs on shoots was something I've never experienced before in the caving world. The film features many multi-camera shot scenes and looks much better for it.

Another aspect of Paul's innovative approach was always refining, sourcing and testing new equipment. We went through 3 or 4 generations of lighting tech, several cameras and gimbals over the course of 8 years working on the project. Many shots we ended up capturing would not have been possible with the original kit we started out with. Paul's ideas for unique sequences in the film were always shared with the team to be discussed and feedback from others incorporated into the plans. Paul never looks for the lime light or personal glory, but instead uses teamwork very effectively to get a better result than any one person would come up with. An example I was very closely involved with was the editing, where Paul put in many, many hours of hard work, but then was always receptive to input from other members of the team on suggestions to further improve what he had produced. He organised screenings to cavers both with filming or photography experience and with none. Also showing the edits to non-cavers to see how they responded to the film and refining it based on their feedback.

BCRA's Arthur Butcher Award

BCRA awards the Arthur Butcher prize for outstanding and innovative contributions to cave surveying. The judges consider projects brought to their attention during the year, as well as all surveying work that is on display at the Hidden Earth conference. The award judges are now following a guideline that this award shall only be made in years where an exceptional contribution to cave surveying is identified.

This year, the award goes to Rich Smith for writing, and maintaining, SexyTopo, the Android pocket-topo-style surveying app. This has allowed people to use all sorts of devices for paperless surveying, and made the transition from tiny-screen PDAs straightforward for many people. Rich will be the first to admit that this has been way more work than he realised when he agreed to do it, so we hope that £100 from BCRA and a timeless listing as 'someone' in cave surveying is some compensation.

Citation by Wookey, on behalf of the judges: Wookey, Rostam Namaghi, Alastair Gott

BCRA's Tratman Award for 2021

Please note: Announcements of the Tratman award usually take place in the year following the year of the award. There is a slight additional delay at the moment, so 2020 was reported last year, and the 2021 announcement was made in time for the BCRA Review. Both were announced (and awards presented) at Hidden Earth this year. The award for 2022 is still under consideration, and the year 2023 is not yet complete of course. We expect the 2022 and 2023 awards to be made at Hidden Earth in 2024.

The publications of 2021 were particularly fine, both in quality and quantity, causing the shortlist for the Tratman Award to be much longer than usual. The award is made annually to the author or editor of the best caving book, journal or article in a journal, the criteria including not only the quality of writing but also factors such as binding, presentation, entertainment value and worth to the caving community by reason of content, availability and – in the case of a journal – improvement on prior editions.

To be considered for the award, publications must have a specific association with Britain or Ireland, for example by reason of nationality or country of publication, and for 2021 one title lying outside these provisos was singled out as deserving a special mention given its links with British cavers and clubs. Congratulations go to Thomas Arbenz for his editorship and production values for the third volume in the Cave Pearls of Meghalaya series.

The independent judges – Joe Duxbury, Chris Howes, Alan L. Jeffreys, Martin Mills and Linda Wilson – having come to a decision, report this to the award's sponsors– BCRA which funds the trophy. This is made by Ceris Jones as an original piece of artwork representing the winning title and is retained by the author.

For 2021 the long shortlist was reduced to the following, all of which receive a commendation.

Peter Burgess for Penwyllt, a self-published record of research into the area and industries surrounding the headquarters for South Wales CC and Ogof Ffynnon Ddu, now in its second edition. Praise for this work has arisen from several different directions.
Dave Gill for More Journeys Beneath the Earth, the continuing and extraordinary autobiographical story of one of Britain's most experienced cave explorers, much of which relates to his work and influences in Malaysia including the Buda and Mulu national parks. The first volume of the set was equally commended in 2020.
Peter Kokelaar for All Our Own Water, another example of a self-published work and a hugely impressive one with a broad scope encompassing the caves and karst of the Gower peninsula in South Wales. Peter details not only recent and historical explorations, but much original research and theories of the area's hydrology.
SWCC 75th Anniversary Publication edited by Andrea, Beth and Tim Lewingdon. The SWCC Newsletter was also commended in 2019 and 2020; this latest production has taken the presentation a step further by appearing in three volumes of very high standard, covering a wide range of both specific and general subjects.
The cave rescue in Thailand involving so many British cave divers resulted in two of those in the lead, Rick Stanton and John Volanthen, writing their stories in the form of Aquanaut and Thirteen Lessons that Saved Thirteen Lives respectively. As one judge commented, the first offers a compelling story that would inspire new adventurers while the second would help them to avoid ending in a coroner's court. Incredibly impressive titles, both.
BCRA Review 2020, edited by Phil Wolstenholme, is a quality production – published in 2021 – that contains much of value to cavers whether or not they are members of the Association. It is published on paper, but can also be downloaded from bcra.org.uk/rv.
And finally, two articles that appeared in Descent (280) and (283): Alison Moody for The Bagpit Depression (with added science content by Danielle Schreve and Paul Töchterle) and Andy Freem (aided by Antonia Freem and Peter Kokelaar) for The Llethrid Saga. In both cases the articles went well beyond a simple story, offering in-depth data, a survey and fine photographs that would both entertain and inform.

Such was the overall standard that many of the commended titles might have won in a different year, and yet more might have made the listing. Inevitably, a decision had to be taken and for 2021 the Tratman Award goes to Rick Stanton for the hugely popular Aquanaut. Congratulations go to Rick and all the other authors and editors who, especially this year, should be proud to have attained a commended status.

Citation by Chris Howes, on behalf of the judges: Joe Duxbury, Chris Howes, Alan L. Jeffreys, Martin Mills and Linda Wilson

Photo credits: The Tratman Award trophies, created by Ceris Jones. Photos: Chris Howes.
Right-click to download hi-res copy

Giles Barker Award

Giles Barker lost his life while caving in Spain in 1992. An accomplished cave photographer, Giles was a member of the Red Rose CPC and Morgannwg CC. These clubs have annually, since 1993, funded the Giles Barker Award in his memory. This prestigious award – a hand-crafted statue of a cave photographer made by Ceris Jones – is given to a person or team connected with any aspect of cave photography in recognition of excellence and contributions to the field.

For 2023 the Giles Barker Award was presented to Bill Nix, a member of Red Rose CPC, one of the two clubs that fund and maintain the award (the other being Morgannwg CC). This in itself involved some subterfuge to avoid Bill learning of the decision until it was announced publicly. Bill's cave photography has visibly improved over the years, from his Photo Salon entries at Hidden Earth (including at the 2023 meeting in Gordano, Portishead near Bristol) to entries in other competitions and an increasing presence in caving publications. He has been efficient in producing images of specific locations to order when required, showing imagination in composition as well as expertise in their production. Notably, this extended to the Hidden Earth publicity where one of his photos was chosen for the conference programme and mug. Congratulations, Bill, on receiving this 28th award in the series, which as usual is a fine trophy specially created by Ceris Jones.

The full list of winners and background info is online at www.mcc.speleonet.co.uk/barker.html.

Citation by Chris Howes, on behalf of the judges: Morgannwg CC and Red Rose CPC.

Photo credits: The Giles Barker Award 2023 trophy, created by Ceris Jones. Photos: Chris Howes.
Right-click to download hi-res copy

Conference Team Credits

Conference Manager — LES WILLIAMS

Conference Manager	Les Williams
Conference Treasurer	David Gough
Conference Secretary	David Gibson
Trade Hall Manager	Badger

Technical Team: Manager — FRANK TULLY

Frank Tully with Tech Team Bartek Biela, Peter Burgess, Scott Bradley, Beni Burgess, Mike Clayton, Paul Dummer, Tiggy Dummer, Helen Fairclough, Josh Henry, Tony King, Tony Littler, Andrew Morse, Teddy Ng, Helga Palmer, Emma Porter, Simon Richardson, Josh Rowson, Big Stu, Dave Tuffery, Becky Varns, Jed Waldren, Tim Webber, Chris Williams, Paul Wilman, Basher, Buddy (Roadie).

Reception Team: Managers — CHERYL LINGARD and LOU BIFFIN

Cheryl Lingard and Lou Biffin with Front Desk team Sam Drake, Jess Burgess, Wendy Bollard, Martell Baines, Amanda Batten, Emily Richardson
Signage Team Paul and Tiggy Dummer

Events Team: Lecture Secretary — GARY DOUTHWAITE

Lecture Secretary	Gary Douthwaite
SRT Events	Mark Wright, Dave Cowley
Speleo Olympics	Andrea & Philip Roberts
Stomp DJ	Basher
Opening MC	John Gunn
Closing MC	Alan Jeffreys
After-Dinner Speaker	Alan Jeffreys
Closing Script and Projections	Martell Baines, David Gibson

Competitions Team: Secretary — DAVID GIBSON

Photo Salon Co-ordinator	David Gibson	Judges: Footleg, Rob Eavis, Pete Glanvill
Video Media Salon Co-ordinator	Paul Taylor, Footleg
Art Salon Co-ordinator	Robin Gray, Ceris Jones	Judges: Robin Gray, Ceris Jones, Alison Mills, Kirsty Mills
Surveying Salon	Wookey, Andrew Atkinson	Judges: Wookey, Rostam Namaghi, Alastair Gott
Pink Sheet Runner and Rosette Wrangler	Nat Fretwell
Club Stands Award	Les Williams	Judges: Michael Laumanns, Mark Wright
Arthur Butcher Award	Wookey	Judges: Wookey, Rostam Namaghi, Alastair Gott
Tratman Award	Chris Howes	Judges: Joe Duxbury, Chris Howes, Alan Jeffreys, Martin Mills, Linda Wilson
Giles Barker Award	Chris Howes	Judges: Morgannwg CC, Red Rose CPC

Publicity and Sponsorship Team: Prizes Manager — Martell Baines

Prizes Manager	Martell Baines
Prizes Assistant	Julie Wooldridge
Sponsorship	Margaret Richardson
Poster & Brochure Design	Tony King
Web Site & Social Media	Gary Douthwaite
Competitions Co-ordinator	David Gibson
assisted by	Nat Fretwell

Bar Team: Manager — DAVE KING

Dave King with Bar Team Paul Gladman, Alex Randall, Sue Hargraves, Sioned Haughton, Meg Stark, Jenny Abbott, Darrel Instrell, Tracy O'Neill, Dave Bell, Paulina Biela.

and special thanks to

Gordano Sports Centre	Andrew Mulligan, Joe Painter
St Joseph's School	Greg Bath
Aspens	all the catering staff

Thanks also to the lecturers and the session chairs, and also to the traders, sponsors, and to all delegates from the UK and overseas, who all contributed to making the event a success

Staff: tab-separated data This is the data file that is used to generate the competitions tables above. Please note that it might contain unused columns or strange notes that do not appear to make sense; or strange delimiters for some of the data. It might not be any more use the you can get by pasting the HTML tables ito Textpad (or similar) to cleanse them of markup.

British Cave Research Association (UK registered charity 267828) and British Caving Association.
The Old Methodist Chapel, Great Hucklow, BUXTON, SK17 8RG
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