Bridge 86 Traditional Cache
Masmithma: Checked today and the cache has gone. As this area has now got very overgrown we have decided to archive this cache. Thanks to everybody who found it and made nice comments.
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A small cache just off the towpath.
(Relocated 4th July 2011 after muggling)
Bridge 86 ‘The Old Vineries Bridge’ is the only surviving original bridge on the Grand Union Canal in Birmingham. In 2008 Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum secured the Grade II listing of this footbridge following a full inspection of the site by English Heritage. The listing ensures the conservation of the bridge for its particular architectural and historic interest.
The bridge was built around 1794 as part of the then Warwick Canal, which was entirely dug by hand including the deep cutting! Canals were the major transport link for the distribution of goods at that time. During the 1930’s the majority of the canal bridges were replaced with wider, stronger road bridges to accommodate the increasingly popular motorcar. Somehow this bridge escaped this fate and remains in its original state.
The name ‘The Vineries’ came from a market garden that prospered on Vineries Lane close to the bridge in the 1900’s. Here many soft fruits were grown in large glasshouses. In the 1930’s the gardens were sold off and the Rover factory was built on the site producing important parts for aircraft during the war.
The Warwick Canal became part of the Grand Union Canal in 1929 when around 8 separate canals were integrated to link London with Birmingham, Leicester and Nottingham.
Today, as well as providing a useful shortcut for pedestrians, the bridge has new steps down to the towpath (added in 1990) and an access point to the Westley Vale Millennium Green.
The cache itself is within two hundred metres of the bridge, just up the bank a little. It is a traditional, small box cache originally containing postcards, beer mats, as well as the log and pen. Please feel free to take a postcard.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Whfg oruvaq gjva bnx gerrf
Treasures
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