Stormy Down Traditional Cache
QuirkyDiva: Time to call time on this one
More
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size:
 (small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Quick easy grab and cache.
Ever wondered where I got my caching name from? Not from my Diva temper tantrums no, I used to pass by the road sign 'Stormy Down' and loved the name.
Simples!
Here's a bit more about the place:
The name 'Stormy Down' however appropriate it often seems, actually derives from a Norman family named Sturmi that settled on the northern fringes about the year 1150.
They created a settlement known as Sturmiestown with a chapel and small castle but increasing problems with neighbouring Welsh tribesmen persuaded them to abandon these after less than 30 years.
Throughout the centuries the Down has also been known as Cornelly Down and Whitecross Down, the latter possibly referring to a monument near the summit of which no trace now remains.
The remains of a motte and bailey castle built c.1150 by Geoffrey Sturmi can be seen as a raised circular mound of earth in the valley between Stormy Down and Cefn Cribbwr at Stormy Farm.
It is believed that Cistercian Monks removed the font from this church and took it to Margam Abbey. (Margam Abbey was founded in 1147)
I am RAF born and bred so I another link with this place that you blink and pass by:
RAF Stormy Down
The History of a Training Aerodrome 1934-47
Home / RAF Stormy Down
RAF Stormy Down The History of a Training Aerodrome 1934-47
The Royal Air Force aerodrome on Stormy Down served a very important role in the training of both air and ground crews during the 1939-45 War.
The former Royal Air Force Stormy Down, commonly known as RAF Stormy Down, was a World War II Royal Air Force airfield near Pyle, Bridgend (county borough) opened in 1940. It was an armament training school for UK and American forces. Flying ceased in August 1944 due to the dangerous grass landing strip.
The site is now used by Cenin Concrete Products Ltd, as a Research, Development & Production Centre. The site is also the operating base for Bridgend Motorcycle Training Centre, one of Wales premier Training Schools. The site is also used for a weekly car boot sale. A proposal to site wind turbines on the disused airfield has been made.
Stormy Down is the name given to the upland area between Pyle and Pant Mawr which was part of an even larger tract of common land called Newton Down which extended as far south as Tythegston and Newton, Porthcawl. As such it survived until the middle years of the 19th century when it was enclosed into fields by a consortium of local landowners.
Explore Kenfig and surrounding areas during and throughout the War Years especially the 1939-45 World War.
Porthcawl and surrounding area welcomed British, French, Dutch, Canadian, Polish and American servicemen and women during WWII. They stayed in hotels, guest houses, nissen huts and tents and trained at nearby RAF Stormy Down and Kenfig and at the Air Sea Rescue Unit at The Jennings Building in Porthcawl harbour.
Sources:
(visit link)
(visit link)
(visit link)
I have lots of relatives in Wales, and you will most likely meets some A(u)nts when going for this cache. The cache is visable, next to a landfill site (nice..not) Just come in off the A48 and pull up by the stones, the cache is a small tub big enough for small swaps, TB etc.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gb gur yrsg bs gur ovt fgbarf, snpvat lbh. Orjner gur N(h)agf!
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:

Loading Treasures