FIFTY years of caving will be celebrated this weekend in the Yorkshire Dales.

The Yorkshire Subterranean Society was founded by three avid cavers from Pontefract in 1964, and the club has regular meets at caving areas around the Dales.

This Saturday (October 18) club members will be celebrating their golden anniversary by opening a new rope training room at their clubhouse at Helwith Bridge, near Settle.

The National Lottery’s Sport England fund awarded the club £20,000 to build a two-storey extension, creating a warm, dry area with an array of platforms, bolts and beams. There, up to six cavers can practise the rope work needed for safe, modern caving, from basic to advanced rescue techniques.

Club member Chris Tate said: “Over the last 50 years we have aimed to make caving accessible to people through our regular coach trips (from 1964 to 2006) to the Yorkshire Dales, affordable accommodation in the heart of Yorkshire caving country, caving expeditions and more recently through our successful Try Caving events. That aim has seen our members explore the deepest caves in the world and have been part of record-breaking achievements. Our new facility continues the tradition of introducing people to the sport.”

The club will be holding its next Try Caving weekend on November 1 and 2, for people who are curious about the sport and would like to try it without the expense of buying special kit. To book a place, email paul.geddes@yssuk.com