08/06/2026
Harry Long passed away on 31st May, he was 86.
Harry started caving in the late 1950’s and lived on the south coast of England and was a civil engineer working on sea defences. He moved to the dales to pursue his caving activities. He joined the team in 1967 just after offering his expertise at the Mossdale tragedy to construct the dams to divert the flow of water away from the cave. He soon became Assistant Underground leader and eventually rose through the ranks to Underground leader, dual role of Chairman including one of four Controllers and finally a Trustee. He stood down in 2019, a total 52 years service and obviously was made a Life Member.
His love of caving took him exploring with his trusty crowbar looking for new caves and potholes in the dales. Very observant at where water disappeared down sink holes and pursued to a conclusion where the water rose or entered a known cave system. He made notes and completed surveys which especially became valuable knowledge when on rescues diverting flood water away from the cave entrances and diverting water on the surface that would enter the underground systems.
Because of his knowledge, Harry was primary compiler and co-author of the three volume set “Northern Caves”, comprehensive guide books for North West, The Counties system, Three Peaks, Yorkshire Dales and the North East. In 2023 he completed writing a book on his caving exploits “Weekend Explorers”.
To raise funds some team members including Harry wrote articles for the new book, “Any Time Any Where”, the first fifty years of Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association. With the help of Helen, he also compiled the book.
In the role of Controller, Harry had some difficult and prolonged rescues to manage; the rescue of Thirza Holden from Birks Fell in flood conditions, the Cote Gill tragedy, rescue of Andrew Peel (who later joined the team) fell through snow down a 38 metre deep mineshaft on Top Mere in winter conditions, Langstroth Middle entrance sumps - three cavers drowned and two men trapped by flood water at the far end of Sleets Gill and were dived out with aqualungs with no diving experience, just to name a few. The rescues in the Dow Cave – Providence Pot system became well rehearsed considering the number of times we visited are now approaching three figures!
In his role of Chairman, he steered the committee through difficult decisions relating to running of the team “as to run a tight ship”.
Sid Perou also from the south of England, a caver and well known film maker, a life long friend of Harry, they worked together and with others to produce a series of films “Beneath the Pennines”.
Away from caving, Harry was one of the founder members of the ‘Good Times Jazz Band’ along with Sid and four other members who played once a week for over thirty years at the ‘Fleece’ pub in Addingham. Harry on coronet with Sid on clarinet. The band members developed good rapport with the regulars!
Harry was very meticulous in what ever he did and that was very evident in his time with the Association, a legacy!
A letter from the Association has been sent to his son, Geoff and family expressing our condolences at this sad time.
I express my gratitude to Ken Robinson who contributed to this article.
Pete Huff
Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association
