A Lost Road: Allostock Dams Traditional Cache
A Lost Road: Allostock Dams
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A cache placed on a route of historical significance as described by George Slater, in Slater's Chronicles in 1891.
This is the 4th in a series of 5 caches.
"Penny's Lane was originally three or four times its present breadth, and was covered with grass and rushes in the summer, and mud and clay in winter, and was passable only on horseback. From Lach Green, which was then an open common, the road entered Hulme domain, and passed between Hulme Hall and Sculshaw Lodge, through the brook at the dams in Allostock, by the Cross Lanes to Barnshaw, which was then the seat of the lords of Barnshaw.
This was the great military road from Vale Royal to Barnshaw. A large part of this road fell into disuse some generations since, and has long been added to adjoining fields. I myself have gone over every yard of this ground and have been able to trace the old original road almost from end to end.
At this time carriages of every sort were almost entirely unknown in Cheshire, and our forefathers had not begun to use stone and gravel for the repair of the roads. At the time of which I am speaking, an ancestor of the present Duke of Westminster resided at Hulme Hall, and was Lord of the Manor of Allostock. The events of those times have not so far as I know been recorded by any historian and it is impossible for me, with all my historic research, to rescue a tithe of them from oblivion."
- George Slater - Slater's Chronicles - 1891
Slater's Chronicles - The Chronicles of Lives and Religion in Cheshire - is an important work detailing George Slater's historical research into the people and society of the county in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is also important in geneological and religious contexts, and is an incredibly rare book.
I am not sure of the military context of this route (Civil War, perhaps?) as it appears to have fallen out of use during the 1700s; however, the route's significance is further documented on the Allostock Parish Council Website.
THE CACHE
Dams Lane, including the footbridge near which the cache is placed, follows the route I surmise is the "Military Road", further evidence of the significance of this route can be found in the annals of Allostock Parish history, and George Slater himself notes the diverting and damming of the brook "to create a greater head of water" in the field (not publically accessible) between the footbridge and Old Mill Farm to the North. More info from Allostock Parish Council here .
Parking is recommended on Townfield Lane. It is possible to park near the end of Dams Lane, however access is tight, and the road ends at a private property.
NOTE pedestrian access from Dams lane is fine even though it looks like a residential garden. You will notice a sign saying "public highway" which has been turned around from the way it is meant to face. I have spoken to the cottage owner and he very cordially explained that the "public highway" runs from the end of the lane to the footbridge over the brook. There is no problem with access through here, it's just an odd ancient public right of way that runs alongside the garden, and it's been lawned and mowed. Please be respectful of this route and stick directly to the line of sight between the end of the lane and the bridge.
A 1l lock and lock, with camo bag. FTF certificate and usual
swaps!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ghpxrq uneq yrsg va ubyr va gerr jvgu fnja bss iregvpny oenapu
Treasures
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