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St Aldhelm's, Doulting Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Calluna Tib: As there has been no response to the previous log requesting that this cache is checked I have no option but to archive it.

Regards
Heather
Calluna Tib - Volunteer UK Reviewer
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Hidden : 9/4/2010
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This cache can be picked up as a quick 'Park and Cache' or combined with short visit to St.Aldhelm's Church. It is NOT inside the building.

It is a tupperware box, with a nice big log, a few pencils and a few trades. There is space for more trades and TB's/GC's.

The cache is located near graves - please respect them.

Please leave this cache exactly as you found it.


The is cache is at the Church of St Aldhelm in Doulting, Somerset, England.

The building dates from the 12th century and is a Grade I listed.

An interesting feature of this church is it's tall spire. Whilst this may be quite common elsewhere in the country, this differs from many of the well known "Somerset Towers" which have a square shape to them. It has a two-storey porch which incorporates a carving of the Green Man into its vaulting.

The dedication to St Aldhelm is unusual and arises from the 8th century when King Ine of Wessex gave the local estate to Glastonbury Abbey after his nephew Aldhelm died in the village in 709. In his honour the local spring which is the source of the River Sheppey is called St Aldhelm's Well.

The well head was built in the late 19th century and incorporates a wrought-iron pump handle. It is marked with a cast-iron plate with raised initials: "W.N.F.M.", and an additional brass memorial plaque dating from 1976. Folklore has attributed healing powers to the water from the well.

The tithe barn at the southern end of the village dates from the 15th century and was used to store tithes, from the local farmers to the ecclesiastical landlord at Glastonbury Abbey.

The Church is open most days until early the evening and you are welcome to go in. Please however remember that this is private property and a place of worship so you are asked to be respectful. Please also remember that services may be going on and that in this Church, services, meetings or quiet prayer may be in session at any time, on any day of the week. There is a public footpath that runs around the church, linking to the pavement from Shepton.

Thanks to the church for hosting this cache.


I'm currently looking for people who might be able to help look after my caches whilst I'm away undertaking a doctorate. If you think you might be able to help, please do let me know by contacting me at geocachingjohn@googlemail.com (If you can't help maintain them long term, it would be wonderful if you could take along some spare logs/pencils/etc. to keep these caches alive, just in case)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Va gur FR pbeare bs gur puhepulneq. 35sg yrsg bs Treel Fgbgg.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)