David Adams, Club President and Founder 1937 to 2021

I’m sad to report that Club President and founder David Adams passed away on Saturday 27th November. His funeral was held at St. Nicholas' Church, Newport with 4 Club members acting as pallbearers. If it wasn’t for David setting-up the Club 60 years ago, none of us would be enjoying and exploring Shropshire mines in the way we do today. Plans and surveys that David and colleagues produced in the 1960s are still used by the Club today (with a few updates). It has been one of his guiding principles for the Club to document and record our activities, which has resulted in numerous publications over the years.

During 2020 David started suffering health problems, including speech difficulties. Following a visit to a neurologist on the 17th August 2020 (after a long wait from the beginning of April due to COVID restrictions) he was diagnosed as having motor neurone disease. This was making it difficult for him to swallow and talk.

It was due to his speech problems that he felt unable to attend the Club zoom meetings during 2020 and early 2021. However, this didn’t stop him taking part in Club activities. It was good to see him at the talks on the Sunday of the NAHMO 2021 Conference and at the Club AGM in October this year, where his President's address was read out for him. As recently as 13th October he arranged and attended the Club Veteran’s Reunion at the Bradford Arms, Ivetsey Bank.

To give members a chance to contribute to an obituary commemorating David, if any club members, past or present, would like to write something about any memories, anecdotes etc. that they have of him please send them to the Secretary for inclusion in a more comprehensive obituary for the March issue of Below.

He was very proud of the Club and what it has done over the past 60 years and considered the founding of it to be one of his greatest achievements having brought interest and enjoyment to so many of us. Although with his passing, the knowledge of Shropshire mines he accumulated over a life-time will be sorely missed, luckily some of it is recorded in various Club publications.

At this sad time, our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Margaret.

Neal Rushton, Chair, Shropshire Caving & Mining Club

 

NAMHO 2021 Conference - 2nd to 5th July 2021

Despite the Coronavirus crisis and non-relaxation of restrictions the Club was still able to hold the Conference, but in a scaled back form. We are unable to offer camping on site (luckily there was plenty of camping and accommodation sites in the area) and were not able to offer a social event on the Friday evening.

However, the socially distanced trips and talks were able to go ahead. The talks proved to be very technologically challenging, with a mix of 'live' talks in the hall interspersed with Zoom presentations, plus some delegates watching in the hall and others on Zoom! All in a remote village hall in Shropshire. For those who were on trips and missed the talks, they were recorded and will be available to anyone registered for the conference to watch online.

Thanks

To everyone who worked so hard to make this conference happen - judging from the feedback from delegates, you also made it a very successful and enjoyable conference, despite the COVID restrictions. Also, a special thanks to the speakers and delegates who had the confidence to travel to Shropshire to join in or take the time to participate online. Thank you.

Read more details on the NAMHO 2021 Report page

Links to the NAMHO 2021 Talks

Finally - NAMHO 2022: Friday 17th to Monday 20th June

Best of luck to Cleveland Mining Heritage Society who are organising the 2022 NAMHO Conference at Grosmont, North Yorkshire. Make a note in your diary now, I hope to see you there!

Neal Rushton, Chair, Shropshire Caving & Mining Club

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