In order to log this cache you must have previously completed and
logged:
GC1J0E6 - LW1: The Last Witchhunt, Riot, Ruth & John
GC1J5AW - LW2: Molongs Half Moon
Parking in this area is difficult. You may be able to park at
the location itself, or alternatively there is some parking down
the lane at some cottages. Obviously please park courteously to the
residents.
Please take care as there is a lorry depot on this road and cars
travel along at speed around the corners
Please also take extra care with children and animals as there
is water nearby (obviously!)
Thomas Colley was soon arrested for the murder of Ruth Osborne,
being first held in Tring and then Hertford gaol. The others
involved in the rioting were given plenty of time to make good
their escape for it was a full month before any enquiry. In
addition the authorities were presented with a wall of silence.
Almost all the contemporary accounts recount perhaps only one or
two names or more often, that they didn’t know any of the
individuals concerned. The locals were banding together, and many
obviously held the belief that Ruth had been guilty.
Three men; Colley, Young and William Umbles were charged with
the murder and six others for the workhouse rioting.
Colley was held at Hertford Gaol before being returned to Tring
via St Albans for his execution in late August 1751. Such was the
strong local feeling that it was a 'hard case' to hang a man for
the 'witch', that the authorities felt the requirement to provide
an armed escort of well over 100 troopers from the household
cavalry to prevent his release and further trouble.
Colley was reportedly a drinker and well known in the local
taverns, it is likely that he was the 'worse for wear' on that
eventful day, spurred on by others and repentant at his execution.
Colley was hung in chains upon a gibbet erected in Lukes Lane close
to the site of Ruths death. As was the custom of the time his body
left as a warning to others. Lukes Lane is near the border
separating Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire and could conceivably
have been a warning to both counties; this having further hampered
the pursuit of the wrongdoers, being on both sides of the ‘county
line’.
Colley’s Dog is a local legend. Long after the gibbet was gone,
passersby at night reported strange noises and clanking as Thomas
Colley 'rattled his chains'. A ghostly black dog (or Shuck) with
fiery eyes has also been variously sighted on the spot
Maintenance won't be happening at night!
You should find yourself at Gubblecote Cross on Lukes Lane.This
was the site of the execution, close to the original scene where
the mob dammed the stream running alongside the road
At this unsuitable location, how many Yards is it to Wingrave Road?
P Q R
You will now need some values obtained at the previous two
caches.
The Bonus cache is located at
N 51 . M A . (P+L) (Q+(Lx2))
(P+Q-A)
W000 . (B-P) R . (B+L) (M+P-L)
B
Congratulations for the FTF
and the Coin go to Norfolk12, MK Rambling Rose and We do Checks and
Cache