Hell Fire Caves West Wycombe

The Hell Fires at West Wycombe were extended greatly by Sir Francis Dashwood between 1748 and 1752 . They are noted as a meeting place for The Hell Fire Club which first met at Medmenham Abbey about eight miles from West Wycombe. The club's motto "Love & Friendship" seems to have confused many. The original names for the members of what later became known as The Hell Fire Club include The Brotherhood of St. Francis of Wycombe, Order of Knights of West Wycombe, and The Order of the Friars of St. Francis of West Wycombe. It is interesting to note that the naming of the group as the Hell Fire Club has been a considerable factor in maintaining interest in the club, but this name was not used by the original club members. Around the same time as he constructed the underground meeting chambers Sir Francis Dashwood was also working on Saint Lawrence's Church and The Dashwood Mausoleum above the caves. Even as he carved out what has become known as the Hell Fire Caves Sir Francis was also building a Christian church above his speleological creations. Saint Lawrence is a noted defender of the poor and it said that the extensions to caves brought about well paid work in West Wycombe during hard times. Sir Francis may also have pondered on the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence which involved him being burnt to death on grid iron which would resemble a scene from hell and yet this fiery torture was a route to heaven. Maybe the most hellish pursuits undertaken by the group that never called itself the Hell Fire Club were only ever followed as routes to heaven?

To date I have discovered only one apparition in my exposures. To my eyes it appears as a body of light. Please take a look and form your own impressions. The figure in the image has not been created by me. The shape as seen in this picture was not seen by me in caves. There were some peculiar moments and I am glad to have this record of the more ephemeral events.