Sign of an Angel Traditional Cache
Royal Oak: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.
Royal Oak
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Sign of an Angel is our first cache and is located in an area offering amazing views across Rossendale. The site is at one of the Panopticons (a structure, space or device providing a comprehensive or panoramic view). The East Lancashire Panopticons was a unique arts and regeneration project to erect a series of 21st-century landmarks across East Lancashire.
The beautiful Rossendale Valley is made up of four main areas: Bacup; Haslingden; Rawtenstall and Whitworth. Its industrial past, which is steeped in history, provides the backdrop for Bacup, recognised by English Heritage as the best-preserved mill town in the country. Helmshore Textile Museum in Haslingden has undergone an extensive refurbishment to enhance the visitor experience and will lead you on a journey to discover how raw wool and cotton was transformed into yarn.
Rossendale also enjoys excellent outdoor facilities including the Mary Towneley Loop, a section of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail and the Rossendale Way 46-mile route that offers varied walking conditions. The annual event that takes place on the first Saturday in July offers three graded walks to suit all levels and abilities while the Rossendale leg of the Irwell Sculpture Trail includes a six-mile walk, consisting of environmental art installations that have been appearing along the trail since 1987.
Take a ride on a traditional steam train on the East Lancashire Railway between Bury and Rawtenstall or visit one of the many farmers markets. You could even try your hand at the World Bury Black Pudding Throwing Championships!
The cache is located at the Halo, an 18m-diameter steel lattice sculpture supported on a truncated tripod five metres above the re-landscaped ground at Top o' Slate, Haslingden. Trusses radiate from a central conical core supporting luminous blue rings, lit with low energy LED’s. The core is open at the top, framing the sky and the structure overlooks the A56, welcoming visitors to East Lancashire. Haslingden is easily reached by public transport.
The Halo was a winner in the international Panopticons competition organised in association with RIBA in summer 2003. It is clad in a series of concentric rings made from etched acrylic. These ‘fins’ contain 500 LEDs which create a cyan light that diffuses through the acrylic creating a subtle glow in the night-time landscape. The Halo has its own wind turbine which generates sufficient electricity to power the low wattage LED lamps.
The Halo can be reached by car although there is limited parking very close by and it may be necessary to park on High Street and walk up Higher Lane. The road is tarmac but there are no pavements so please hold children's hands and keep dogs on a lead. It is also a bit steep in places, hence the slightly higher terrain rating but even if you park on High St it should only take 10-15 mins to reach the Halo. If you can park up Higher Lane closer to the Halo the terrain is much flatter and the cache is only a couple of minutes walk. The terrain around the Halo itself is flattened gravel paths that will accomodate a pushchair in good weather.
The cache is a small click-lock Tupperware box containing a logbook and pencils and some small swaps.
The original cache was muggled so the new one is located at the base of a tree. See the clue for more details.
Take extreme care as this place is busy with muggles so much stealth is required! The Halo also looks at its best at night but you will need a torch in order to see the paths properly (and to find the cache!)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ng gur onfr bs gur gerr jvgu svir gehaxf, haqre gur syng fgbar.