Church Micro 1232 Lackford Church (A Spring Clean) Traditional Geocache
Hanoosh: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
Regards
Brenda
Hanoosh - Volunteer UK Reviewer www.geocaching.com
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Church Micro 1232 Lackford Church (A Spring Clean)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Contrary to the name, this cache is NOT a micro!
The Church of St Lawrence, Lackford is easily accessible via a series of footpaths, but beware of Muggles in the neighbouring horse paddocks and the windows of the white house at the beginning of the approach to the church. Street parking is available in Lackford.
The Domesday book lists a church as being on this site with 20 acres of glebe land. The land has long since changed ownership but the 'footprint' of a Norman church is till there. Over the centuries, many changes have occurred at the Church: the 1200's saw the Chancel rebuilt and an additional Chapel created to the east. In the 1300's the central Norman tower was reduced in height and incorporated into the nave. A new tower was built to the west of the existing nave. A new inner arch was made for the south door and the existing porch was built.
In the 1400's the large easterly window was replaced with a three-light one in the Perpendicular style. The Tudors added their mark with the inclusion of brick battlements to the tower.
The church underwent a complete restoration during 1868-70. During this process the thatch roof was replaced with tiles. A move that would prove disastrous for the current villagers of Lackford.
Stonework in the porch arch was replaced in 1978 and the early 1980's saw the installation of electric lighting to replace the old gas system. The north side of the nave roof was re-tiled in 1998 and in October of 2002 work started on re-plastering and painting the nave ceiling; it was during this process it became apparent that the entire roof of the nave was unsafe. The original beams of the structure were designed to hold a light thatch roof, not a heavier tiled one. The building was deemed unsafe and closed.
It remained closed for 3 years while members of the Lackford Community Council worked tirelessly to raise and secure the funds required to repair the structure. The nave restoration was completed in the Autumn of 2005 and St Lawrence was officially re-opened in October of that year.
Fundraising for St Lawrence is an on-going concern: Lackford does not have any other community building and it is hoped to secure funding to convert part of the nave into a meeting area for purposes other than church services.
If the church is open at the time of your visit it is worth taking a look inside. (Key-holders live within easy walking distance if you would like to see the interior)
The regular size cache is within the grounds of the church yard. There is no need to climb fences, turn over grave stones or dig in the footings. The cache has been left with kind permission of the clergy of The Lark Valley Benefice and the church wardens.
As the cache was left in the Spring, we thought it suitable to add the sub-title 'Suffolk Spring Clean' and the original contents (all 'as new' and unused) were the sort of items one finds in the back of a cupboard or forgotten in a drawer: prizes from raffles, a 'small token of appreciation', a spur-of-the-moment purchase for a half-baked idea... So do your own 'spring clean' and bring what you find to the cache – it may just find a home with a fellow cacher.
Original contents of cache:
Japanese folding fan
Japanese stoneware 'dipping' dish
Body shop home fragrance oils
McDonald's 'Twister' game
Mr Men activity packs from a long haul flight
A complete 'How to Host a Murder' kit
Ladybird decorative craft pegs
x3 wooden animal letters ('O', 'I' and 'L')
x2 child rain ponchos
x3 sticker sheets
Bag of marbles (in case you've lost your own...) and the all important
Log book in a clear plastic zipped bag
If you would like to expand the Church Micro series please do, but let Sadexploration know so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names, to avoid duplication.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Na nzzb obk yrsg va cynva ivrj... Jryy, vg jbhyq or vs vg jnfa'g sbe gur...