Whicham valley church.(Cumbrian church5) Traditional Cache
Tashington: Couldn't find anywhere better to place the new cache that wasn't to near a dry stone wall,and as some search without using the clue for some reason we have decided to scrap this one.
Whicham valley church.(Cumbrian church5)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Number 5 in our occasional series of Cumbrian church caches,some are micros others are small L and L boxes,you may be pleased to know that none are 35mm film cannisters.
The cache is not hidden in the church grounds but on the small roadside layby just outside at the base of the footpath sign.
BYOP
St.Mary's church,also known as Whicham Valley church stands at the foot of Black Combe mountain and makes a good starting point for the ascent,parking is available at the roadside just outside the church driveway which is also a public footpath.
Please take the time to visit the church which is normally open during daylight hours.
The Parish church of St.Mary welcomes visitors to the church who are on their way to climb Black Combe mountain.
St.Mary's is built on a low mound and is thought to be a religious site of great antiquity.
The oldest visible part of the church is 12th.Century,the rectory was ransacked by Robert The Bruce in 1322.
Bowmen at archery sharpened their arrows on the stonework and these marks are still visible.
The earliest registers for the church date from 1569 and are now in the county archives at Whitehaven.
The original building had walls 5 feet thick,but it's present appearance due to major restoration work in 1858 when the North transept was added also at this time the porch was rebuilt and vestry added and 5 stained glass memorial windows were given to the church.
The coat of Arms above the door is that of George III.
Also of interest is the font which is made from St.Bees sandstone and dates to medieval times,it was originally decorated with painted shields around the outside where you can just see the hexagonal outlines,perhaps Cromwell's soldiers caused their removal when any sort of decoration was forbidden.
One of the greatest treasures of the church is the Victoria Cross won by Tom Mason of Silecroft and left by him to the church,a replica is on display,and the original is now on loan to the military section of the Lancaster museum where it can be displayed with more security.
The bells which hang in the Bell cote are over 500 years old,they are inscribed, "Sancta Maria ora pro nobis" and Sacta Michael ora pro nobis" St.Mary and St.Michael pray for us.
All information stated here is from the leaflet available from the church for a small price.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
onfr bs sbbgcngu fvta.
BASE OF FOOTPATH SIGN.
Treasures
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