Before attempting this cache, it would be advisable to take a calculator (some GPSr devices have them built in), and essential to have knowledge of the cipher favoured by a Roman Emperor. With this in mind, it can easily be done in one visit of around an hour and a half.
You may want to visit Whence Comest Thou (GC1G69J) , and Washpool Way (GC118B9) whilst you are in the area.
The village of Shaw was mentioned in the Domesday Book. Its name comes from the Old English word sceaga, meaning copse. Shaw underwent several name developments over the years, including Shaghe (1332) and Shawhyll (1512) before evolving into the version used in the present day.
Shaw was originally a hamlet of a few stone-built thatched cottages, a shop, a pub, a Methodist chapel (now a private house), and Upper and Lower Shaw farms.
Nine Elms existed from as early as 1773, and was an area at the top end of the village where nine elm trees stood by the junction of the Swindon to Lydiard road, and the road leading to Washpool.
In November 1928 one of the nine elms was blown down in a gale. It landed on a car and sadly killed the two occupants, a couple from Wroughton. The trees were swiftly topped, and later removed as they presented a danger.
As Swindon expanded to the west, it crept closer to Shaw. In 1984 it was still a village, but by 1988 the fields had disappeared beneath the development of what was known for a few years as Old Shaw. This name now remains only in Old Shaw Lane, the original road to and through Shaw, but even this is split in two by a new road. At the western end of the former village is the area still named as Nine Elms.
There was considerable local opposition to the 520 acre development, but the housing and business expansion continued on further to form Peatmoor, and Sparcells, which is on the site of the old Sparcells farm.
The given co-ordinates are for a place to park when attempting the cache. If you park elsewhere I would advise marking the location. Take care on your walk as some of the roads do not have footpaths.
Find the answers to the following questions and fit them into the grid. The first 4 must be answered before you leave home. Use the grid to decode the location of the next stage of the cache.
1. If you want to become a juggler, where in Shaw could you learn?
2. Actress Billie Piper grew up in Nine Elms. What was her 2006 autobiography called?
3. What is the name of the church in Shaw Village Centre?
4. Which number should you call to book a table at the Nine Elms pub?
5. N 51 34.274 W 001 50.213 If you don't --------- you'll be fined!
6. N51 34.140 W001 50.098 A very old house on Old Shaw Lane. When was it built?
7. N51 34.157 W001 50.168 At the former dairy farm, what letters do you see by your feet?
8. N51 34.169 W001 50.249 When did HH build here?
9. N51 34.172 W001 50.417 How long ago was the chapel built, from when the cache was set?
10. N51 34.198 W001 50.582 This used to be a workplace. What is it called now?
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Before you decipher the code, if you walk straight on (with a possible detour into the pub for a swift refresher) you will pass two more of the original Shaw village houses, built in 1880 and 1873 respectively, with more around the corner to the left.
Opposite Number 10, at N51 34.220 W001 50.646, you can stand on the spot where the original nine elm trees stood for over 150 years, on the very edge of West Swindon. There is plenty of room, but take care by the road, as cars motor rather quickly along it. Look over into the fields, and try to imagine the area as it would have been 100 years ago, as you stand in the shade of the old elm trees.
Find your way to:
H3 J1 E2 J1 J3 D3 B1 H3 C10 A10 G1 G3 E1 J3 K3 J1 D10 H5 F3 J3 B10 F3 J10 C10 B1 H3 C10 J3
A3 B2 C5 J10 C1 C2 F2 J10 J1 F5 J1 G5 L10 J1 I3 B7 J10 J1 A4 H5 K10 L2 C10 B7 C5 E5
Here you will find a 6-digit number on yellow. Apply the following calculation to find the key to decode the cipher:
divided by I4 E4 (A8+A9+G4-E4) (D6- (J4xB4)) = x
Round up x and divide by A10 D1 K2 = key
Break the code!
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The next instruction:
NV(H10)VA OLWVZ AHAU(M1) PM(D5)FV ULA(D10)P YAFMV B(L10)ADV (G2)(C3)(K3)V(M1) V(G10)(L10)(F10)V ULMPM (D5)FMPC (B5)(H5)PU(A1) (C3)P(H3)O(H1) MX(K3)Z(I5) EKP(K2)P AZ(I10)VU ANL(D5)H ZO(B7)JR
Final cache location: N51 (F-E)F.(C-F)C(D-A) W001 B0.ACB