There is no physical cache until you get to the final location. The
final cache is a 0.35 litre Lock & Lock container. Please make
sure that you replace the cache in the correct place and that it is
out of sight.
As some of the locations are only accessible during the daytime
I recommend that you start the cache no earlier than around 9am and
no later than 3pm (you may be able to start a little later on
summer weekdays due to extended opening times). The cache is
available 7 days a week all year round.
It is possible to drive to each location, but I recommend
walking the route if possible as driving won’t save you a lot
of time.
Although the cache is suitable for children, care needs to be
taken as part of the route is along busy roads and as with most
graveyards, some of the memorials may be unsafe. Please ensure that
children are supervised at all times and that you stick to
footpaths, only walking between memorials if absolutely necessary
to reach each location. Please also give the graveyards the respect
that they deserve.
St Elphin’s Church
The first location takes
you to Warrington’s parish church, famous for its 281-foot
tall spire, the sixth largest in England. The spire makes the
church the second tallest building in the entire borough of
Warrington, with only Fiddler’s Ferry power station’s
chimneys standing taller. It is also regarded as the oldest
building in the town; there has been a church on the site
continuously since 650 AD, although the appearance has changed many
times since then – nothing remains above ground of the
original building or the first stone building that replaced
it.
The church was mentioned in the Domesday book in 1087. Although
they have been altered over the years, the oldest existing parts of
the structure are the crypt and chancel, which were added in 1354
when a new large church was built on the site.
Warrington came under siege as part of the civil war in 1643 and
the church was all but destroyed. The church was gradually repaired
over the next fifty years, with the tower having to be replaced.
The church was again restored in the late 18th century, when the
nave was replaced and the gateway was erected. A south aisle was
added in the early 1800s. The spire is one of the more recent
additions, replacing the old tower in the mid 19th century during a
major restoration of the entire building.
Getting there
By public transport: Warrington Central train station and
the bus station are both approximately 15 minutes walk from the
starting location. It is then around a five minute walk back to the
train or bus station after finding the final cache. If you're not
familiar with the area then I recommend adding the station as a
waypoint before starting the cache so that you can find your way
back afterwards.
By car: Parking can be found on the nearby streets - the
northern end of Church Street or the small road that leads to the
church gates at N 53° 23.465 W 002° 34.850. There is also a
Sainsbury’s car park (for customers) nearby at N 53° 23.450 W
002° 34.984, although parking is limited to two hours, so if
you’re walking the route you will need to be quick.
Alternatively there is plenty of parking in the town centre if you
don’t mind paying.
Location 1 - St Elphin's Church
Coordinates for location 1 are:
N 53° 23.446
W 002° 34.808
You will find a memorial at the given coordinates and need to
answer the following questions to get the next coordinates. Each
letter represents one digit.
Dr Hunt was born on which date in May? (AB)
…and died in CDEF.
William and Elizabeth’s 4th daughter died in GHJK.
Annie Hunt was aged LM years when she died.
How many pedestals hold up the slab? (P)
A small park, St Elphin’s Park, can be found close to the
church on the way to location 2. The park is a nice spot for a
picnic if you’re feeling peckish and there is also a
children’s play area for the kids.
Free parking for the next location can be found at N EK°
AK.BPJ W MMA° KF.PAF. If you intend on parking here then please
bear in mind that all vehicles must have left the car park by
3.30pm.
If you are interested, before or after visiting location 2, you can
also visit the nearby grave of both George Formby, Jr. and George
Formby, Sr. at N EK° AK.BLC W MMA° KF.APA
Location 2
Coordinates for location 2 are:
N EK° AK.BBP
W MMA° KF.AHL
You are looking for the monument that stands high above the
surrounding ones. This is the Legge family grave and you need to
answer some more questions relating to the family members.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT EACH LETTER WILL NOW HAVE A DIFFERENT VALUE TO
THOSE FROM LOCATION 1.
Noah Legge Senior’s second wife died in ABCD.
Noah Legge Junior was aged E years when he died.
Mary Legge Junior died in FGHJ.
Albert Legge’s wife died in KLMP.
George Legge was aged QR years when he died.
Sarah Legge was aged TU years when she died.
Baby Noah Legge was aged VX months when he died.
Percy Legge was aged YZ years when he died.
Some of the lettering is faded - if you are in any doubt as
to what the numbers are please use your fingers to feel the
numbers! Getting just one digit wrong could have disastrous
consequences!
Location 3
Coordinates for location 3 are:
N QE° RP.YHX
W UUR° PQ.GDZ
Nearly there now, just a few more questions and then a little
bit of maths. For the next location each set of brackets represents
one digit in the coordinates.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT EACH LETTER WILL NOW HAVE A DIFFERENT VALUE TO
THOSE FROM LOCATION 1 AND 2.
John Howard died in ABCD at the age of EF years.
Martha Howard died in GHJK aged LM years.
Location 4 – Final cache
Coordinates for location 4 are:
N (A+J)(E-F)° (F)(C-A).(L)(G+M)(J+K)
W (A-G)(B-H)(D-C)° (F+A)(H-F).(M-H)(K-J)(C+L)
The final cache position is in a built-up area. Muggles may be
in the area so stealth must be used when retrieving the cache.
Please ensure that the cache is covered and is not visible to
passing dog walkers.
The area immediately surrounding the cache also suffers from
littering, so please practice Cache In Trash Out if
possible.
FTF honours go to
PhilPamAndRob on 23/09/2008 at 7.15am.
