Northern Cavern and Fell Club founded 1928

[Robindad]

I have a lifelong interest in the Northern Cavern and Fell Club and have researched the activities of this club from 1928 to 1939 and then their reunions in the 1980's.

One of the founding members was Frank Windle of Rook Street Barnoldswick - see separate topic.

Here I will post extracts from my introduction to the NCFC.


Always interested in fresh insights into the men and their Barnoldswick connections

Robin

[Robindad]

Northern Cavern and Fell Club
a brief introduction by Robin McEwen King

DRAFT ****************

Work in progress – DRAFT as of 12 January 2023

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The Northern Cavern and Fell Club was set up in 1928 by a small group working men who had met through their love of the hills and dales. A particular interest was cave exploration.

I have known about many of the NCFC men all my life as my father (Frank King) and a small group of the old pals who lived ‘down south’ met up regularly to chat over old times.

The first recorded meeting was on Sunday 4 November 1928 at Copster. The diary of Frank King records -
“N C F C started at Copster. 11 Members. Joe President. J Scott Sec.

Frank King Diary 1928 October 28 NCFC start November 4.jpg

The first list of officials for 1929 in the Northern Cavern and Fell Club Log Book confirms these appointments. “Joe” is Joe Bradley who in 1927 and 1928 was actively encouraging others to pursue his passion for caving.

Over the next couple of weeks the lads seem to have been recruiting members. Frank records that there were talks about the ‘New Club” on Wednesday 7 November - J Simpson at Burnley and “J. K. lecture Preston” on Saturday 1 December. The next Sunday 2 December there was an NCFC meeting at Copster.

Frank’s diaries show that he was a keen cyclist and member of the CTC since at least 1925. He rode with BTC and NCTC regularly in 1928.

The NCFC was founded by his elder brother Jack King. Jack along with Cliff Downham was the driving force in the early days.


Robin December 2022

[Robindad]

The photo of the founding NCFC group at Copster Green on 4th November 1928 shows 12 men. Jack King is on the left and my father Frank King is standing 5th from the left. Dad was born in May 1909 so is 19 in this photo.

NCFC Founders 1928 48 bit colour 1200dpi.jpg

on the back is a list of the names

Front Row
J.King, F. Scott, W. Hardaker, J. Bradley, F. King, F. Windle, W. Horsfield, E. Hindle.

Back Row
W. Howarth, J Oldham, J. Simpson, C. Downham.

Fortunately there is a list of their names on the back.

NCFC Founders 1928 names006 copy.pdf

The black ink writing is, I think, by Joe Bradley. The penciled date and additions are in my father’s hand. The founders names are confirmed on the back of another copy belonging to the Windle family.

[Stanley]

A good start to an interesting subject Robin....

[Tizer]

Are these two web pages related to the above posts?
1. Abebooks
2. Bookseller

[Stanley]

I took the liberty of applying the missing 'N' to Northern....

[Robindad]

Yes the two links are to a USA bookseller who has a copy of the 1934 Log Book for sale. I have my father's copy.

The one for sale is special as it was donated to the landlady of the Inn where the NCFC lads were having tea when they left the table to do a 27 huor cave rescue. She fed them for free the next night.

[Jomason]

Hi Robin, I'm sending you a couple of photos in attachments I thought you might be interested. I believe they are taken at Gaping Gill. They are from an old photo album I have which I bought in a antique shop in Keighley. Do you recognise anyone in the photos? I've been trying to research the album. I've also attached a couple of other photos just in case you recognise any possible members of the club.
Jo

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[Stanley]

Love the bowler hat and cut-off trousers!