The Cattle Trough today (left) and St. George's Square with the Trough hiding behind some carts Circa 1910 (right)
So many of these Fountains and Troughs go un-noticed when they are very interesting from both a historical and artistic point of view. Many of the Fountains are fine examples of Victorian grandeur, and while the Troughs are usually a little less ornate they still had an important role to play in providing water to the population and their animals!
Many are used as flowerbeds these days and you probably often walk past one and never consider its original function!
I was very excited when I discovered this series of caches as "Municipal Water Features" (as I like to call them) are something that I go around collecting photographs of, so the chance to combine this with caching was too hard to resist!
Now, on to this cache!
This would have been a traditional, but the Trough itself has proximity issues with another cache, so I had to take a closer look at the area and it suddenly turned into a little multi instead! :o)
To find the cache, you will first need to visit the above co-ordinates and note some information!
The Cattle Trough was placed here in 1884, presented to the town by the RSPCA, but many years before this, the area was also frequented by a rather famous historical figure!
At (or very near to) the above Co-ordinates:
a = The number of letters in the only word that appears on both plaques.
Nearby, you will see an information board. Go here!
Look up from where you stand:
b = The number of blades on the most colourful part of the feature before you.
You will need to read the info board for the next clues! (If you are observant, you may also spot a Munzee near here, for those of you who also collect these! ;o) )
Follow the walking instructions! (Don't forget to be very observant on the way - It may help you later! ;o) )
This should take you to: N50 47.824 W001 06.088
Here you will find an interesting feature!
c = The Number of 'Petals'.
Were you paying attention?
d = The number of marker plaques that brought you here!
(Do not count the image on the info board!).
Now you should know a good deal more about this famous figure and the cache is just a short calculation away!
The final cache can be found at:
N50 47.α W001 06.ß
Where:
α = a × (a + b) + ((b × c ) + 1) × d
ß = (a + 1) × c ÷ d
Please watch out for muggles as you search for the cache, and please ensure it is entirely secure and concealed when you return it to its hiding place to reduce its chance of being muggled! - Thanks :o)
Happy hunting! :oD
If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let
Merstham Mafia know first so they can keep track of the cache numbers and names to avoid duplication.