Important: This is a book swap cache. Please
only swap books for books (Sunday mags etc not accepted) I
have run a cache like this one on the Isle of Wight for over 5
years now and it's still going strong so please follow the
rules, don't leave anything else eg old bent spoons, and enjoy
a good read after your adventure! Please also re-hide the
cache well, and take time to make sure the lid is firmly on
all the way around after it is replaced in its tightly fitted
surround! We wouldn't wan't a soggy mobile library now would
we!
Welcome friends, to the
former site of the BOCM Experimental Development Farm, Stoke
Mandeville, Buckinghamshire.
Taken from a report on 28dayslater.co.uk -
''In 1947 we were a country recovering from
war, building up our food supplies so we could be a rich nation
once again, with a high demand for food. Simply farming pigs and
poultry would not do anymore, and we needed to produce meat at a
much faster rate, so experimental procedures had to be put into
place to ensure a good, healthy amount of
food.
So during 1947, British Oil and Cake Mills, known
as BOCM Ltd, opened up an experimental poultry farm in Stoke
Mandeville, Buckinghamshire. “BOCM Stoke” as it was called, bred
and fed Hens in various different conditions, similar to today’s
“Intensive” and “Battery”
conditions.
Stoke was spread across a
14.4ha piece of land, which included a pig development section,
where various different methods of breeding and feeding would take
place, to ensure higher quantity and quality of bacon and pork
meat.''
The site became disused in the winter of 1985 after all
experimenting was wound down, but was lived on by owners until
2004. The area, which covers a large expanse, is now delapidated
and decaying. There are multiple shed buildings with no apparent
use and others which were clearly used as pig stalls. There is also
a large house, a silo and a number of trails, still clearly visible
through the undergrowth. Your looking for a very large clear
container with all the usual geocache markings.
Many further details are available by clicking
here. This link will provide you with an in depth history of
the site if you are interested along with multiple photos, both
historical and up to date. You can also click the pics below for
larger versions of some I took:
*Please note - The cache
itself is hidden just off a public footpath (easily accessible from
North Lee Lane just off the A4010) which skirts this former testing
site. To claim it as a find you do not need to enter the area
itself, doing so is your own choice and neither geocaching.com or I
take responsibility for your actions. This cache is child friendly,
but if you do intend to explore I would suggest leaving the little
cherubs at home.
Have a nice time, and please post
any photos you take to the site, so we can all enjoy your visit!
Dan (Rocky
Balboa).