The Planks Traditional Cache
Jaq&Co: I've been and had a quick look and can't find this cache any more so I'll stick it in the archive.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The Planks is located in the village of Steeple Claydon, Buckinghamshire. The area by the river known as 'the planks' is found along a public footpath by Whites Close. If you're bringing kids along take a towel or some wellies so they can have a paddle - dogs will appreciate the river too!
Lying some 12 miles to the north west of Aylesbury, evidence suggests that the earliest setters began the creation of the village around 660 AD on a site close to St. Michael’s church.
The name Claydon derives from the Anglo-Saxon for clayey hill with Steeple thought to have been added in recognition of a tower or steeple on the church.
At the turn of the 20th century, this rural village population had only slowly increased to around 800 people with their occupations mainly centered on working on the land, railways or in-house activities such as lace making. The opening of the Brickworks at Calvert in 1900 (which was to become the second largest in the Country) was to have an increasing effect on the employment situation, with an estimate of 90% of village male worker population employed there, it also contributed to the expansion of the village. There were only around 200 "dwellings" in the village, mainly centered on North End, West End and Church End. These were a mix of mainly thatched cottages and late Victorian buildings. The village layout was based around the centuries old road structure of, what is now, Buckingham Road, Chaloners Hill, Vicarage Lane, Addison Road (previously Bull Lane). West Street and North End. Within the village, there remained a good deal of open land with allotments available for villagers.
Following the end of the war. It is thought that up to 40 thatched cottages were demolished. In 1946, plans were laid to build 77 houses. Over the ensuing decades, further estates, in-filling and individual developments were completed to accommodate an increasing population. By 1971, the population had reached 1275 but the 1991 census numbers recorded a significant rise to 2269- 860 dwellings being noted. The once green areas in and around the village have now been almost filled. Time will tell how far development will be allowed to take the present village "boundary"
Like many rural communities, village business and commerce has receded as residents' mobility and surrounding choice has increased. In many respects. Steeple Claydon has become a "commuter" village.
(Information taken from www.steeple-claydon.org)
No one seems to be quite sure when the planks became a place to go in Steeple Claydon although i used to go there when i was a child, as did my mum and my grandfather which shows how old the site is!
Now the area is used by dog walkers and children alike as well as people who are looking to be somewhere quiet and take in the view!
The cache can be found in a field just off from the circular walk that encompasses the river. I recommend that you do do the entire walk which is less than a mile from start to finish to fully appreciate the scenery!
The cache is a small to medium tupperware box and the the original contents of the cache include -
Flannel
Film
Keyring
Childs Puzzle
Candle in a Jar
Bike Wrench
Log Book & Pen etc
Enjoy!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ghea yrsg nsgre pebffvat gur svefg oevqtr naq sbyybj gur cngu nebhaq hagvy lbh pbzr gb na bcra svryq jvgu n oevpx oevqtr gb lbhe evtug. Gur pnpur vf ng gur onfr bs n gerr ba gur yrsg fvqr bs gur svryq.