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The Honour Of Being Human

An audio-visual story specially created for ShAFF
 
Photo: Paul Deakin

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ShAFF co directors Matt Heason and Anna Paxton have been underground to work on a very special project. Covering the attempt to rescue young caver Neil Moss from Peak Cavern, Castleton in 1959, The Honour Of Being Human brings to life one of the most significant events in UK caving history. Taken from an article written by George Cooper which was originally published in Descent magazine in 1984, then featured in High magazine's 100th edition in 1991, the story left such an impression on ShAFF founder Matt that when the team started planning a new caving-themed event he just had to dig it out and bring it back to light.

As part of the process, Matt and Anna delved deep into a cave near Winnat's Pass in the Peak District to capture the underground sounds which form the soundtrack of an audio-visual story designed to be seen and heard in the unique environment of Sheffield Cathedral's Crypt. The original article has been abridged, narrated and recorded by Anna, and audiences can experience it exclusively at ShAFF's Spirit of Adventure event at Sheffield Cathedral on Sat 3 Sep, where it will be played using 'silent disco' headphones with images projected onto the walls of the Crypt.

Illustrated with images including a selection taken by the late Paul Deakin, that capture the camaraderie, culture and equipment of caving in the '70s in intimate detail, The Honour of Being Human will play every 30 minutes from 2pm-6pm on Sat 3 Sep, alongside an Adventure Bites film loop on the main screen and live storytelling from Niall Grimes in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. Caving Film The Rescue will screen in the Crypt in the evening, while the main screen in the Cathedral will show the Best of ShAFF 2022.

Accompanied under 18s are FREE in the day (adults £6) and half price for the films - if you'd like to see the daytime exhibits and a film in the evening, choose a Combined ticket.

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