4th January

Report by Vince

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, Duncan and Tav.

During the coming year, 2020, the team at Hallowe’en Rift are embracing a new approach to health and well-being. We are not opposed to jumping on any bandwagon should the fancy take us. The whole digging experience is to be re-branded, the ‘lake’ once thought a place of foreboding now considered to offer ‘cold mineral water therapy’ an aid to focusing mind and body. The mineral rich sediments are recognized as having exfoliation qualities that unlock the secrets of soft, glowing skin. A digging session can provide an excellent full body work-out, no need for expensive gym membership, the provision of beer will be deemed appropriate. Remember, exercise isn’t just good for your body – it works wonders for the mind as well!

There now follows an update of the latest activities from the Hallowe’en Rift Spa:

When returning to the dig following another application of IRS, there is a sense of anticipation wondering, how has it gone, what, if anything, has been revealed? It’s usually a case of ‘just a little more is needed’ and today wasn’t going to be an exception. Still there was plenty of debris to be moved, in addition to the spoil already bagged up on Wednesday, so everyone was kept busy. As usual the spoil was dragged back to the north side of the ‘spa pool’ where it was neatly stacked awaiting removal later in the morning. The dig cleared ready for the next phase of expansion, it was time to move back and clear the backlog of spoil. Brockers was first in line to experience ‘cold mineral water therapy’ and took up his position in the ‘spa pool.’ Unfortunately, he didn’t really emerge as a ‘new man’ probably due to not being immersed in the waters for a long enough period, he was still talking afterwards. 54 bags were hauled out and emptied on the spoil heap and 6no. skip loads of rock joined the wall building supply. There is another estimated 30 loads or so of rock awaiting removal at the bottom of the entrance, but the consensus had decided it was pub time.

Jon had met Hugh Tucker who had provided six 25-litre containers ready to cut-up into skips, that’s a job for me later today after kit washing.

Author: mendipgeoarch

Archaeologist, Geologist, Speleologist