A selection of features from the longest cave tour in Britain. White Scar Cave is a member of the International Show Caves Association. Entering the cave, visitors become aware of a faint sound that gets louder as they walk further in. Suddenly they turn a corner and find the first waterfall, which after wet weather literally thunders into a rocky pool. The waterfall was the first feature discovered by Christopher Long in 1923. In full spate the weight of water cascading down each minute is about fifty-five tonnes. 1923 - The Discovery of the Waterfall In August 1923 Cambridge student Christopher Long was on holiday in the dales. He noticed a slight fissure in the ground, and decided to investigate. Spurred on by the distant roar of water, he struggled over jagged rocks and through pools, until eventually he found himself at the foot of a waterfall. On subsequent expeditions, Long swam across the subterranean lakes and squeezed past a massive boulder, only to find his path blocked by a jumbled mass of rocks.

The Witch's Fingers seem to have a particular fascination for some of our younger visitors. Perhaps it is the Harry Potter phenomenon, but anything connected with the supernatural seems to grab their interest. Geologists will calmly explain that the curious formation results from the operation of entirely natural forces, but some people remain unconvinced. See what you think. Stalagmites grow upwards where drops of mineral-rich water land. They can develop in strange ways, and we think you will agree that the Judge's Head is an interesting example of nature's handiwork. Viewed in profile the judge shows off his full-bottomed wig, forehead, nose and pugnacious chin. Of course he exists only in our imaginations, but the effect is uncanny. In places the cave flowstone has grown so thick that the cave trail is narrowed. At one point - the squeeze - it is necessary for visitors to pass through sideways. Nature is having having a bit of fun with us, but don't worry, it is wider than it looks.

There is little danger of you embarrassing yourself by getting stuck and needing the cave rescue team! In ninety-one years this has never happened. The botanical name was bestowed on this fine formation in the early days of the exploration of the cave system. The 'stalk' of the lily is an example of a stalagmitic column, where the stalactite growing downwards and the stalagmite growing upwards join together. a1 curtains blinds burleighThe 'petals' are known as cave drapery, where calcite takes the shape of folds resembling cloth.al meydan curtains & furniture textiles It is part of the folklore of the cave that you should try to avoid being dripped on by the Devil's Tongue. a1 curtains blinds burleigh

Different guides will tell you different reasons why this is inadvisable, but so far we have heard no reports of anyone being harmed if splashed. Seriously though, the tongue is a fine specimen of flowstone hanging from the cave roof. It is still growing! For many visitors the small features have just as much interest as the big spectacular stuff. These delicate orange stalactites just cry out to be nicknamed carrots. estex curtainsThe colour usually indicates the presence of chemical compounds of iron. drapery grommets spacingThe variety of shapes depends on various forces such as capillary action and air currents. eclipse curtains meridian blackout window curtain panelIn our opinion they are strikingly beautiful.aria grommet-top curtain panel

In 1991 major works were undertaken to extend visitor access. A 65-metre sloping tunnel was driven to connect the stream cave with the Battlefield Cavern. The work was undertaken by a firm of tin miners from Cornwall. Blasting the first section of tunnel involved the miners standing chest deep in very cold water half a mile underground. Huge quantities of rock had to be removed. 1971 - The Battlefield Cavern Ever since its discovery in 1923 White Scar has attracted cave explorers. The system was investigated by members of the Happy Wanderers caving club, and it was they who discovered a massive chamber and named it Battlefield Cavern. The first person ever to squeeze into the cavern was teenager Hilda Guthrie. The 1991 tunnel bypasses the tortuous and slippery climb made by Hilda and her friends. At the far end of the Battlefield Cavern, on the rock wall, is a white shape formed from the mineral calcite. It is known as The Face, and once you have figured it out you will see why.

What it demonstrates is that we have evolved with innate cognitive powers of facial recognition. To know who was friend and who was foe, our primitive ancestors had to be able to recognise faces. What peculiar phenomenon sometimes happens at closing time? A disembodied murmuring voice follows the last guide out of the cave. A DAD-OF-TWO is taking legal action against home and garden retailer The Range after he walked into a curtain pole while out shopping – and was left BLIND in one eye. Ashley Clover, 26, was browsing the cushion aisle when he turned around and the pole – which was sticking out of a box – poked him in the eye. Ashley Clover has been left blind in his right eye When his sight failed to return he went to A&E – where doctors told him his lens was badly damaged and he could be blinded for life. Now, railway worker Ashley has been left in agony and suffers from severe depression – and is taking legal action against The Range, which has more than 100 stores nationwide.

Ashley, of Bridgend, south Wales, said: “My eyes were perfect before this. They were completely fine – I didn’t wear glasses or anything. “I can’t do anything at all now. I can’t even interact with my partner because I have been so depressed. “It has had a huge impact on my life. I can’t take the kids to school or go to the gym. I can’t do anything any more. He was struck in the eye by a curtain pole while shopping at The Range in BridgendIt has ruined my Christmas already. I’m not excited about anything any more. “I’m having more tests but the doctors don’t know whether my vision will ever come back to me.” Ashley was out shopping with partner Cherrie Myles, 29, at The Range store at Waterton Retail Park, Bridgend, on Sunday October 16 when the incident happened. He explained: “There was a pole hanging out that wasn’t correctly placed. It was hanging out of a box that wasn’t supposed to be on one of the shelves. Ashley now suffers constant pain and severe depression as a result of the accident

Curtain poles similar to the one which injured Ashley “I was looking at things and I turned around and it caught me clean in the eye. “I instinctively grabbed my eye and was looking for someone. I didn’t know if someone had hit me or walked into me. “It didn’t bleed or anything like and I didn’t really feel the pain at first. It was more shock that anything else at that point.” Ashley managed to find Cherrie and the angry couple spoke to manager Andrew, who advised that he contact The Range’s head office. After complaining, the couple rushed to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend where the first doctor said they would probably find that the lens was scratched. But when he saw a specialist the following day – his eye swollen and his sight non-existent – he was told that the lens had been destroyed. Ashley said: “I honestly don’t know why the box was there in the first place. “I have never felt pain like it before.

“I can’t open that eye at all at the moment as it’s very swollen. When the doctor shines a light in it when he opens it, I can’t see the light at all. “I’m getting massive migraines. I can’t watch the telly, I have to just listen to it.” A specialist told Ashley that the lens in his right eye was completely destroyed Ashley is currently on antibiotics and said that his doctor has promised he’ll do everything he can to help. The devastated dad, who has a son Brandon, seven and daughter Jayden, five, added: “I haven’t got a clue what the next step is. “I want an apology from The Range – that would be nice to start. But how do you replace my eye? How do you replace my vision? “It could have happened to someone elderly and probably it would have killed them if they fell to the floor. It could have been even more serious. Ashley pictured with his partner Cherrie, who was with him at the time of the accident The store says an investigation has been launched