We believe that a broadly-based science publication will be a boost to BCRA's core aims and we hope our members will welcome it. Nick Williams BCRA Chairman

A full statement on BCRA's plans for publications in 2003 can be found at
www.bcra.org.uk/nnb/publications.html

Withdrawing from 'national body' activities - including the production of a 'glossy' news magazine - will allow BCRA to focus on its core activity of promoting cave science and education. However, without Caves & Caving, BCRA needs something to balance the academic content of Cave & Karst Science.

We have decided that this balance can be achieved with a new periodical covering 'popular science andTechnology' for
caving.

This new journal - Speleology - will also cover expeditions  and cave exploration, but the title Speleology is intended to reflect a bias towards the study of caves and away from
the reporting of news, which is achieved more comprehensively than we can manage by the bi-monthly appearance of Descent.

 

The change of title also indicates changes in the production process - you will notice that we have 'scaled down' the graphical style to something that can be maintained by the volunteer effort we have available at the moment.

BCRA Council appreciates that those members who joined BCRA primarily for its 'national body' role, including the provision of Caves & Caving, may not wish to support a purely science-based body.

But with the emergence of the new national body, BCRA needs to accept its revised role, and we are enthusiastic
about doing so. We expect there to be some drop in membership of BCRA, but we are confident that we can continue to fulfil our charitable aims in this situation, and to provide good value for money.