Just outside the village of Clophill lie the ruins of the church of St Mary. The church is a prominent feature of the landscape and commands an impressive view of the surrounding countryside. The building, of which the tower and parts of the nave remain, provides a fine example of local materials and craftsmanship. If you look carefully you can see some of the green sandstone that gives the 'Greensand Ridge' its name. A church has been on this site for at least the last 850 years, but the present structure is the remains of a 15th century church. Original consecration crosses survive scratched into the mediaeval lime plaster. Architecturally the church is particularly interesting, having two extremely large Perpendicular windows in the north and south sides of the nave, and some archaeologists believe that the site may hold valuable historical secrets. The church was declared redundant in 1972 and was purchased by the County Council in 1977 for consolidation and maintenance, but has had a troubled past including many antisocial activities like vandalism and desecration.
In March 1963 and on Midsummer’s Eve 1969, attempts to revive the Black Mass were carried out here. On the first occasion, the tomb of an 18th century apothecary’s wife was torn open and her 200-year-old bones arranged in a circle about the gutted knave of the church. Perhaps it was an attempt at necromancy, in which the Black Magicians are supposed to summon and speak with the spirit of the dead. On the second occasion, tombs were again smashed open and graves desecrated, perhaps as part of some fantastic ritual. Only one thing is known for sure... you won’t catch me up there after dark!!!
The cache is a small, black ammunition box stuffed with all sorts of goodies. You will need to be fit and supple to retrieve it. Having a stature edging towards the small side of "dwarf" could be an advantage. If you do manage to get it, please make sure it goes back exactly as you found it.
If you have no respect for the suspension on your car (or transit van) and can find the track, you can drive right up to the church. There is space for two or three cars but please don't block the track as it is the access to a local farm.
Please DO NOT leave items of food or drink in the cache.
Please check out the G.A.G.B and G:UK web sites. They offer support for all Geocachers in the UK.
The photos from the original cache camera can be viewed here. If you recognise anyone, please email me and I'll add their name to the photo.
Thanks, Pharisee.