University of Bristol Spelæological Society

The University of Bristol Spelæological Society (UBSS) was founded in 1919 by cavers in the University of Bristol. Among its earliest activities was the archaeological excavation of Aveline's Hole.

The club owns a hut which was formerly a ladies cricket pavilion which was bought for ₤5 in 1919 and moved to its place in Burrington Combe where the land is still rented out for £1 a year.

The club maintains the largest collection of caving books and journals in the country in its library in Bristol, as well as publishing the long-standing academic journal, Proceedings of The University of Bristol Spelæological Society.

Following numerous expeditions to the Burren, County Clare over the years, the UBSS has published the definitive guides to the caves of the region: Caves of Northwest Clare (1969), Caves of County Clare (1981), Caves of County Clare & South Galway (2003).

Notable past members of the club include Professor E K Tratman who gave his name to Tratman's Temple in Swildon's Hole and to the Tratman Award.

Publications

Some of the back issues of are available for purchase from 1960 to the present. Current issues are exchanged for publications with other caving clubs to stock the library. Individual papers from issues over five years old are available as free downloads from the Society's website. "(We used to keep copies of the latter......
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