Herbert E. Balch
Encyclopedia
Herbert Ernest Balch MA FSA was an English archaeologist, naturalist, caver
and geologist
who explored the Mendip Hills
' underground labyrinths and pioneered many of the techniques used by modern cavers. Due to his success in later life there is now a street, Balch Road, named after him within the city of Wells
.
, Somerset
on 4 November 1869, and gained a scholarship to The Blue School
in Wells. He left school at 14 and became messenger boy at Wells post office and then working his way up to postmaster.
. Balch's fine collection of local artefacts and memorabilia still form the core of the museum's displays, which retains the best qualities of a private Victorian collection.
He rose to become president of the Wells Natural History and Archaeological Society.
such as Chelmscombe Cave in Cheddar Gorge. The most famous site that Balch excavated was Wookey Hole Caves, where he led excavations of the entrance passage (1904-15), Witch's Kitchen and Hell's Ladder (1926-1927) and the Badger Hole (1938-1954)
Balch was a member of caving clubs such as the Wessex Cave Club. He was a serious speleologist and often made ten-hour trips wearing cloth cap, old suit and tie.
Balch Cave
near Stoke St Michael
is named after him.
Caving
Caving—also occasionally known as spelunking in the United States and potholing in the United Kingdom—is the recreational pastime of exploring wild cave systems...
and geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
who explored the Mendip Hills
Mendip Hills
The Mendip Hills is a range of limestone hills to the south of Bristol and Bath in Somerset, England. Running east to west between Weston-super-Mare and Frome, the hills overlook the Somerset Levels to the south and the Avon Valley to the north...
' underground labyrinths and pioneered many of the techniques used by modern cavers. Due to his success in later life there is now a street, Balch Road, named after him within the city of Wells
Wells
Wells is a cathedral city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. Although the population recorded in the 2001 census is 10,406, it has had city status since 1205...
.
Early life
Balch was born in WellsWells
Wells is a cathedral city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. Although the population recorded in the 2001 census is 10,406, it has had city status since 1205...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
on 4 November 1869, and gained a scholarship to The Blue School
The Blue School, Wells
The Blue School is a coeducational, secondary school located in Wells, Somerset, England. It has 1,430 students aged 11 to 18 of both sexes and all ability levels. It is currently a Church of England voluntary controlled school. The school motto is "Recta Certa" meaning straight and true...
in Wells. He left school at 14 and became messenger boy at Wells post office and then working his way up to postmaster.
Collection
In 1893, Balch founded Wells Museum, which is now known as the Wells and Mendip MuseumWells and Mendip Museum
The Wells and Mendip Museum is a small museum next to Wells Cathedral in the city of Wells. It is a registered charity and an accredited member of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. The exhibits include items of local history and archaeological finds...
. Balch's fine collection of local artefacts and memorabilia still form the core of the museum's displays, which retains the best qualities of a private Victorian collection.
He rose to become president of the Wells Natural History and Archaeological Society.
Excavations
Balch conducted excavations in conjunction with the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History SocietySomerset Archaeological and Natural History Society
The Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society was founded in 1849. The Society bought Taunton Castle in 1874, and leases it to Somerset County Council to house the Museum of Somerset. A substantial proportion of the items held by the Museum were originally collected by the Society...
such as Chelmscombe Cave in Cheddar Gorge. The most famous site that Balch excavated was Wookey Hole Caves, where he led excavations of the entrance passage (1904-15), Witch's Kitchen and Hell's Ladder (1926-1927) and the Badger Hole (1938-1954)
Balch was a member of caving clubs such as the Wessex Cave Club. He was a serious speleologist and often made ten-hour trips wearing cloth cap, old suit and tie.
Balch Cave
Balch Cave
Balch Cave is a cave in Fairy Cave Quarry, near Stoke St Michael in the limestone of the Mendip Hills, in Somerset, England. The cave is part of the complex of passages feeding to St. Dunstan's Well Catchment Site of Special Scientific Interest and an abandoned Bristol Water abstraction point.It...
near Stoke St Michael
Stoke St Michael
Stoke St Michael is a village and civil parish on the Mendip Hills north east of Shepton Mallet, and west of Frome, in the Mendip district of Somerset, England.-History:...
is named after him.