As members will be aware, PDMHS had to temporarily suspend underground trips in 2016 because our existing insurance was not providing sufficient cover for underground activities. PDMHS needs more people to help us record, survey, and preserve the underground heritage of Derbyshire's mines, so the solution we have decided on is the formation of an autonomous group within PDMHS. It will be called the Underground Exploration Group (UEG), and will apply for member club status with the British Caving Association and take part in the BCA Public Liability Insurance scheme.

Membership of the UEG will only be available to PDMHS members, but it will be free - though members must have BCA Public Liability insurance cover as a condition of joining the group. This can be purchased through the UEG at (currently) £17 per annum, through another BCA affiliated club, or directly from the BCA. Please note that the policy only provides Public Liability Cover, and is NOT personal accident cover. The cover is UK wide and is universally accepted as the 'de facto' underground insurance scheme in the UK - many mines and caves will not permit access without it. Further details can be seen at british-caving.org.uk.

PDMHS members who already have BCA insurance cover via another club, or directly with BCA, do not need to pay a second time. One payment to any club is valid anywhere - but UEG will need to see proof of cover (via a valid BCA Membership Card).

Temporary membership of the UEG will be available to PDMHS members wishing to try underground trips before committing to buying the insurance. BCA’s Temporary Insurance cover allows a maximum of four trips at no charge, after which members would be required to purchase BCA insurance cover for all subsequent trips.

PDMHS members who wish to join the UEG should contact the UEG Secretary, Martin Long, at ueg@pdmhs.com. Martin will get back to you with further information about what we need from you, and details of how to pay.

Assuming that the UEG's application to join is approved by the BCA as expected, we have provisionally arranged the following trips:

For more details of any of these trips (including meeting places and times), please contact meets@pdmhs.com. Booking is essential and BCA insurance cover is required for non-UEG members (we will need to see a valid BCA membership card before you are allowed underground).