Newtown Estuary is located on the northern coast of the Isle of Wight between the Medina and the Western Yar and forms an integral part of the Solent’s estuarine system. It is a National Nature Reserve and supports nationally important and threatened wildlife. The estuary is a particularly significant feeding and over-wintering ground for waders and other wildfowl.
The landscape of the Newtown River has changed little over the centuries and it is an area rich in features of historical interest. Newtown, previously known as Francheville, was established as a ‘Free Town’ by the Bishop of Winchester in 1256. The site was chosen because of its deep and sheltered harbour, saltworks and shellfish beds.
Following the clues in order will make a lovely circular walk.
A. N 50º 42.792 W 1º 24.074
Answer A: How many arched windows on this building ?
B. N 50º 42.864 W 1º 24.058
Answer B: You will be following footpath CB??a
This footpath runs down Gold Street, the original main street in the town in medieval times
C. N 50º 43.002W 1º 24.276
Answer C: The Nature Reserve was founded in the year 19?? (also note who this building was named after)
D. N 50º 43.104 W 1º 24.490 -> N 50º 43.068 W 1º 24.559
This section relates to numbers related to surnames. For example the person noted in clue C is related to the number 1. Fill in the numbers for the following people (some extra clues where numbers/surnames are missing - they keep falling off!): 07.10.2019 - update DOWNER=9! 02.06.2023 - updated SHANKS=6
HART (ALSO=DOWNER-6)..... FLETCHER (ALSO=SHANKS-1)..... SHANKS ..... BARNES (ALSO=DOWNER+1) ....
From here the walk can be continued around the salt beds then through a gate. Please keep to the edge of the meadow.
E. N 50º 42.840 W 1º 24.206
Answer E: How old was the person noted in clue C when she passed away?
There is a handy bench to do the calculations. The church is very fine in a beautiful setting and is the inspiration for the cache title.
Now work out the final cache coordinates with the following formulae.
N 50º BxHART.(CxBARNES)+(FLETCHERxSHANKS)+HART
W 1º B+BARNES.E+SHANKS+A-BARNES
To approach the final cache location take the footpath (CB16a) to the West of the church on the opposite side of the road as the road bends.
10.01.2015 Cache moved after being muggled. Please offset final answer by + 0.013 N +0.009 W