The West Midlands region is comprised of 6 counties:
Herefordshire (GC3CFPX)
Shropshire (GC3CFQ0)
Staffordshire (GC3CFQ7)
Warwickshire (GC3CFP8)
West Midlands (GC3CFPD)
Worcestershire (GC3CFQ6)
Each of these 6 counties has a cache hidden within it, containing one of six puzzle pieces used to solve a Bonus Cache (GC3CFN0), hidden close to the venue of the UK Mega 2013 - Heritage Motor Centre.
West Midlands is a metropolitan county in the heart of the Midlands. Comprising of the cities of Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton, as well as the metropolitan boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall, the county has an estimated population of over 2.5million. Both historically and to this day it is very much an industrial area where at one stage almost anything you could possible need was manufactured in the county. Today, heavy industry although very much declined still features heavily and co-exists alongside newer industries.
Surprisingly for some the area is not just the industrial wasteland many perceive the West Midlands to be. Dotted around the county are over 23 SSSIs and nature reserves, including those at Sutton Park (one of Europe's largest urban parks) and Sandwell Valley which is partially managed by the RSPB. The hills of the area, which were once rich with raw materialls used for industry, now provide areas of green amongst the urban sprawl.
The area is one of contrast and the cache location chosen accordingly. As you retrieve the cache take a look around, witness the remanants of the old industries and the newer employment. Witness the contrasting transport links of old and modern. Finally look to the horizon, where amongst the urban sprawl stands a beacon of calm, unfazed by the hustle around it.
This cache can be found by solving the puzzle below and by finding this trackable:
UK Mega 2013 - West Midlands.
The trackable tag will give you the missing part of the westing and this puzzle will give you the missing part of the northing:
A = Number of counties that border the West Midlands
B = Number of Unitary Authorities within the West Midlands
C = Number of Birds on the County Arms
D = Number of Crowns on the County Arms
N 52 28. (B+D) (D) (A+C+D)
W002 06.XXX
XXX is the number found on the West Midlands Trackable tag
Please note: Cache has moved a few metres from the original location, however co-ordinates have remained so as not to disrupt the puzzle. New location is clearly visible from original position.
