Woz King George eva 'ere? Traditional Cache
magwai: Went yesterday to check on this one as I'm on half term break
Found the lid about 50 feet away near the fence but nothing else (know it's the cache as it's quite distinctive)
Cache has been here for just over 4 years and doesn't get many visitors now so I think it's time it was put to bed and make room for more local cachers to place something nearby maybe (used to be local but moved a few miles away now)
Thank you to everyone who visited - sorry to those who DNF'd
Woz King George eva 'ere?
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This cache is the second of hopefully many more and is situated in a local park, named King George’s Field. After some research, I found that several kings once visited and lived around here – The remains of a Bronze Age barrow mound is nearby reputed to originally hold the remains of an unknown king (now sadly long gone), Charles I rallied his troops in the vicinity, most locals will also be well aware of the connection with Henry VIII
A King George's Field is a public open space in the United Kingdom dedicated to the memory of King George V (3 June 1865–20 January 1936). Each such field is a Registered Charity in its own right (not a lot of people know that)
In 1936, after the king's death, the Lord Mayor of London formed a committee to determine a memorial which was not solely based on the idea of a statue. They arrived the same year at the concept of funding and erecting a single statue in London and setting up the King George's Fields Foundation (established 3rd November 1936) to carry the late king's name forward through future generations with the aim:
* To promote and to assist in the establishment throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of playing fields for the use and enjoyment of the people.
Each of the playing fields would:
** Be styled 'King George's Field' and to be distinguished by heraldic panels or other appropriate tablet/ medallion or inscription commemorative of His Late Majesty and of a design approved by the Administrative Council. – Where that is here, I have no idea, probably was one once but no more.
** Provide satisfactory assurances to the future upkeep for public recreation
Money was raised locally to buy the land, with a grant made by the foundation. After purchase the land was passed to the National Playing Fields Association, to "preserve and safeguard the land for the public benefit". Land was still being acquired for the purpose during the 1950s and early 1960s
There are 471 such King George Playing Fields, all over the country, owned by the National Playing Fields Association and managed on their behalf by either the council or a board of local trustees. The site of the cache is one such area.
There are strict covenants and conditions that all go to ensure that the public will continue to benefit from these open play areas.
According to the Government Register on land and open spaces available to the public, there were also once showers and toilets here – Must have been changing facilities for soccer players and the like, but there is no evidence of where they may have stood.
So now you know the answer to the cache title.
Parking can be on the grass in front of the park (be careful in wet weather as it can be a bit boggy) or further down Sutton Oak Road, please however be respectful of residents’ drives. There are also plenty of buses, again for those wishing to reduce their carbon footprint, 33 from Birmingham will bring you to almost the top of the park, where it’s just a stroll, 56 and 56x will take you a little closer, 196 and 377 will take you to the end of Bakers Lane where you can walk up to Sutton Oak Road. Plenty of muggles here – It’s a popular spot for dog walkers, bring your own (or borrow one) and blend in nicely.
The cache is a box in a black fabric bag, initially containing log book, pencil, sharpener, the usual small goodies younger GeoCachers seem to like, badges, donkey finger puppet etc. and Cross Eyed Clarence TB – He had some fun at home with Philip the GeoHound, now it’s about time he went on his way.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Orgjrra gjb sraprf orybj n orrpu gerr
Treasures
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