Dear Green Places No4: Tom Weir- Small Cache
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An urban multi cache in the Springburn area of Glasgow.
Be aware that this is one of the "rougher" areas of the city, not advisable to wave your GPS about.
Tom Weir and his sister Molly were born and brought up in Springburn in Glasgow in the early part of the 20th Century. Their father was killed in the Great War, leaving them to be brought up by their Mother and Grandmother.
Their mother worked hard to provide for them, and like most people in Springburn, she was employed in the railway industry, at the Cowlairs Works. Springburn was the world centre of locomotive production, with engines being exported all over the world. There were 4 great locomotive works, Cowlairs, Hyde Park, St Rollox and Atlas, of which only one, St Rollox, remains. Most of the works is gone, it’s place taken by Tesco, but signs of the former occupants remain. At N55°52.415', W004°13.795' you will find a column, engraved with the names of the apprentices who worked here. On the column is a plaque.
Using A=1, B=2, C=3, etc solve the following.
Take the 4th letter of the last word on the brass plaque. This is Z.
From here go to N55°52.809', W004°1Z.08Z'. This is the former site of impressive building called Springburn Public Halls. Both Tom and Molly performed here at some point. Tom Weir was a drummer, and played in marching bands, and later in clubs. He also attended temperance meetings in the halls, railing against the curse of the Scotsman, cheap drink. Many families lived in utter poverty, with what little money they earned going on alcohol, not food, a point not lost on young Tommy.
The halls themselves were erected between 1899 and 1902, paid for by the Reid family, owners of the Hyde Park railway works. The façade of the building was impressive and detailed, including two Greek goddesses, one holding a railway locomotive in her hands. Above the main door were two friezes, both with 3 word inscriptions.
DUE TO THE DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING, ANSWERS SUPPLIED:
Y=7
X=1
Now make your way to N55°52.Y22', W004°13.9XZ' where you will find the school where Molly Weir was educated.
This impressive building is no longer a school. On the front of the building, right at the top is a year. Add the four digits together to get a two figure sum. Add these two digits together, then take the value of Y from this. This will give you W.
Walking from here to the old library, you will pass across Adamswell Street. The Weirs were living at 41 Adamswell Street when the Second World War broke out, and it was here that Tom received his call up papers. The house on Adamswell Street is now gone, much of Springburns geography being altered in the post war regeneration projects. Make your way to the old library at:
N55°52.(X+Y)9W', W004°13.8(Y-X)X'.
Springburn Library was opened to the public in 1906, funded by Andrew Carnegie on land gifted by Neilson, Reid and Co. For people of limited income, books were a luxury few could afford, and the library became a much used resource for Tom and his friends, where they could read the books of amongst others, the naturalist Seton Gordon, a great inspiration to the young Tom. The library is now an enterprise centre, with it’s replacement being nearer the shopping centre.
Opposite the old Library was a statue of a railway worker and a child, titled Heritage and Hope. Originally you were required to count the buttons on the mans tunic, however the statue was badly vandalised, and has been removed, only the plinth remains. Instead, count the number panes of glass on the small thin window located on the left side of the main door. This is V.
From the Library move on to the former Springburn Cross at N55°52.(Y+X)8(Y+W-X)', W004°1V.000'. This building housed the Cowlairs Co-operative Society. Tom Weir worked here, and in many of the local branches of the Cowlairs Co-Op as a grocers assistant. The bottom floor, now sheltered housing, was once home to shops which supplied every local persons needs, jars of sweets, barrels of butter, flour and eggs, cold meats and candles, clothing and shoes, the co-op supplied them all. Tom worked here 6 days a week, finishing on a Saturday afternoon and immediately getting on his bike and cycling off to the Campsies, or catching a train to Arrochar to spend time rock climbing on the Cobbler. This spare time was treasured, as the remainder of the week was spent working, studying and playing in his band.
Using A=1, B=2, C=3, etc solve the following.
At the top of the building are the words Spring Burn Cross and a date JKLM. M-J=U.
At Springburn Cross, outside this building, stood a fountain. It was presented by Cowlairs Co-operative society to the city in 1902, a plaque on the fountain records that it marked the STst anniversary of the society. During the regeneration work the fountain was moved and now stands at: N55°53.0JM', W004°13.(K-J)WY'.
From here you can make your way to the final cache location, watch out for Balgray Tower on the way there.
The final cache itself is at:
N55 53 ZVU’ W004 1(Y-V) W(V+S)T’.
Tom left Springburn and travelled to the Himalaya and the Lofoten Islands amongst other places. He became, through his magazine columns and TV shows, one of Scotlands most popular personalities. Tom and his wife Rhona lived for many years in the village of Gartocharn, near Loch Lomond. One of his favourite hills was Duncryne, with it's stunning views over the mountains to the north, it is worth visiting. There is a cache there, Loch Lomond View. Nearby is Kilmaronock Parish Church, where Tom and his sister Molly are laid to rest.
The cache is a plastic container with logbook and assorted items.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vg vf va n ubyr va gur erznvaf bs n gerr gehax.