Caversham Bridge Traditional Cache
Copper & Tin: Hi I am afraid we must archive this cache due to cache container being regularly removed by muggles and the cost of replacing the cache pot. Many Thanks
Copper and Tin
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Nano - bring a pencil!
Difficult due to muggles.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH CACHE!
Public parking near to Crowne Plaza Hotel or at the Rivermead Leisure Complex (pay and display)or park in Caversham.
The river crossing at Caversham carried the original road from Southampton and Reading to Oxford. As the lowest fording place on the Thames was at Wallingford, the crossing at Caversham was by at first by boat. The bridge was wooden and very narrow and tolls were collected twice as the bridge was owned by both William, Earl Marshall on one side and the Abbot of Reading Abbey on the other.
A bridge has existed on the site since mediaeval times, but the present structure was completed in 1926.
The old bridge was the site of a skirmish during the English Civil War in 1643 and was left with a wooden drawbridge structure on the Berkshire half - part of the bridge was taken down so that the King’s forces from Oxford could not cross and help lift the siege of the town. In 1869 the whole bridge was replaced by an iron lattice construction, but this proved too narrow. When Reading Bridge was completed in 1923 work began on replacing Caversham Bridge with the current structure which is of concrete with a granite ballustrade. It was opened in 1926 by Edward Prince of Wales. The bridge is situated on the reach above Caversham Lock, carrying the A4155 road across the river and also providing pedestrian access to the adjacent mid-river Pipers Island.
Recent discoveries of underground caverns below the town indicate that Caversham’s name may imply just what it sounds like: Cave’s Home.
Pilgrims visiting the shrine, from the south, would first find a stopping place on Caversham Bridge, at St. Anne’s Chapel. It has long gone, but similar Bridge Chapels are still to be seen at Bradford (Wilts), St. Ives (Hunts), Wakefield (Yorks) & Rotherham (Yorks). Also at the top of Priest Hill was St. Anne’s Well, which was said to cure many afflictions. It was lost for many years, but restored early this century.
In 1814 the bridge was rebuilt by William Blandy who was repaid by public subscription. It was then renewed completely in 1830 but the Caversham side was built in stone while the Reading side was made of wood and metal. This was due to neither side having control of the bridge, and neither side being able to agree how the bridge should be built.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ynhery ybbxnyvxr