Potternewton Park Multi
Note: the coordinates given are for the centre of the park and not for the cache!
This multi will take you on a pleasant trip around one of Leeds's famous parks and give you a little time to enjoy this tranquil green space in the midst of the busy city. It can be completed in under 30 minutes, although a more leisurely pace will enhance your enjoyment of this peaceful green urban oasis.
Step 1:
Start at the entrance on Harehills Lane (roadside parking available) @ N 53 49.322 W 1 31.521.
How many spikes are there on the fence above the wall to the right of the entrance gates (= A)
Step 2:
Head for the sensory area to the wise bird @ N 53 49.22(A-10) W 1 31.55(A-11). How many notes does it have? (= B)
Step 3:
Now proceed to N 53 49.08(B-13) W 1 31.48(A-B) where you will see a metal drain cover with a number on it – 600X4C0.
Note (6 Sept 2012): It seems as though this has disappeared - please see the gallery for a spoiler photo of the cover.
Step 4:
Move on to the Sign @ N 53 49.08(C-5) W 1 31.45(C+2). The longest healthy walk is shown to be 1.D km.
Step 5:
Next head for N 53 49.09(D+1) W 1 31.41(D-2). Look east from here to the old stone building (currently called the Reconciliation Centre) directly across the road next to the old church. It has E large stone chimneys.
Step 6:
On to N 53 49.25(E+1) W 1 31.42(E-1) from where you will see a blue plaque on the wall of a large structure built in 181F.
Final:
The cache, a camo-taped preform tube, is hidden at the following coordinates:
N 53 49.(A-B-1)FD W 1 31.C(E+5)(B-9)
Note: Please watch out for muggles when retrieving and replacing the cache. Enjoy your stroll around the park! You can use the link below if you need to check your coordinates calculation:
The Park
This park is located in the Chapeltown/Harehills area of Leeds, covers an area of 27 acres and is open during daylight hours. It is the location of the annual Leeds Carnival and is where the carnival procession starts and finishes. Many of the surrounding streets have classic old-style terraced houses.
Visitors can relax with a leisurely stroll around the formal parkland and, in summer, enjoy the colourful flower beds or a picnic in the pleasant green surroundings. Those looking for more active recreation can play bowls, football or tennis. Younger children can enjoy the modern and challenging play area whilst older youths can make the most of the large skateboard/BMX park and basketball court.
The area was originally called Harehills Grove and consisted of a neo-classical mansion house standing in a 750 acre estate with a 30 acre park at the front. This was built around 1817 for James Brown, a wealthy woollen merchant, in 1861 it was bought by the Jowitt family and the estate was gradually sold off in smaller plots for the building of back-to-back terraced houses while the park was kept.
In 1900 the house and park were bought by the Leeds Corporation from then owner RB Jowitt and Potternewton Park was created. In 1906 the mansion house officially opened as a Museum and Picture Gallery with a fine collection of stuffed birds and a cafe. In 1929 the house became the Leeds School for Crippled & Delicate Children and, after World War 2, the Potternewton Mansion School, with places for 100 children. In the 1960s the Mansion was opened as an annexe of Park Lane College. The mansion and park were granted historical status on 1 October 1999 when the Leeds North East MP Fabian Hamilton unveiled a Leeds Civic Trust Blue Plaque. See here for some fine archive photos of the Park and surrounding areas.
The Carnival
Every August Bank Holiday the park is host to the Leeds West Indian Carnival with its large procession, floats, exotic and extravagant costumes, live reggae and soca music concerts and traditional food stalls which transform the park into a huge community event.
It is the oldest Caribbean-style carnival in Europe having been started back in 1967 - the 2011 event was the 44th and attracted over 150,000 people. For more interesting info on the carnival including some great archive photos visit here and here.