Across Jesmond Dene Traditional Cache
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20,000 years ago the North of England was covered in ice up to half a mile thick. As the ice melted the huge quantities of water released formed torrential streams which cut steep-sided valleys through the underlying rocks.
Jesmond Dene is one of these post-glacial valleys. As the meltwater carved its way through, it exposed the layers of sandstone, shale and coal which can be seen today in the valley sides.
The outcropping beds of shale and soft sandstone make the valley sides unstable in places. Below Freeman’s Hospital a large slip has occurred which has led to the closure of some of the lower paths. The steepness of the valley would have made it an inaccessible place in the past, perhaps the home of wild boar and wolves. This inaccessibility also helped to protect the Dene from major development as Newcastle began to expand more rapidly in the 19th century. Lord Armstrong & the Dene
In 1857, an innovative engineer, William George Armstrong built his reputation building warships, armaments and bridges such as Newcastle’s Swing Bridge.
In 1857 Armstrong bought Jesmond Towers, a mansion which had been developed by John Dobson 30 years earlier. With the house came much of Jesmond Dene. Armstrong and his wife set about landscaping the valley, creating paths, bridges and waterfalls. They planted huge numbers of trees, many of which are still standing today.
By the late 1880’s, Armstrong had turned his attention to Cragside, his country house near Rothbury, and he donated Jesmond Dene to the City Corporation. Combined with Heaton and Armstrong Parks, and Jesmond Vale, this gave Newcastle a unique area of parkland just a mile from the city centre.
Built in 1878 from wrought iron, the unique Armstrong Bridge was built with sliding and rocking bearings to compensate for the subsidence of the mine workings beneath.
The Armstrong Bridge market is held every Sunday between 10am and 4pm.
The market has been taking place on the bridge in Jesmond Dene, since 1963 when it was closed to traffic and has hosted many traders selling arts and crafts produced locally.
Cache is a magnetic 35mm film canister.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ba gur oevqtr gb gur evtug bs gur prager cbfg.
Treasures
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