Monmouthshire Rural Churches - Rockfield Multi-Cache
Monmouthshire Rural Churches - Rockfield
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is a series of multi-caches that I intend to place around the rural churches of North Monmouthshire. There are so many lovely churches around the area that are undervisited, so I hope to attract a few more visitors to these great spots. I shall start off with a few and hope to add to the series as I go along.
All of the caches start at the church where you need to find the answers to a couple of questions to allow you to find the final cache position, and none are intended to be particularly difficult (I would prefer you to find the caches) or are more than 1/2 a kilometre from the church.
This is the fifth in the series and starts at the church of St. Cenedlon in the village of Rockfield and is best done during daylight hours only please due to the proximity of the cottage which looks directly over the graveyard and church.
The church is dedicated, as mentioned, to St. Cenedlon who was an early Welsh saint from the 7th century although before this it was dedicated to Kenelm - a king from Mercia.
The church building you see today was rebuilt in 1862 except the medieval tower which pre-dates this and still has the distinctive wooden lanterns near the top so typical of this area (which can be seen at other local churches too such as St. Maughans and Skenfrith). Near the main entrance you can see the restored Preaching Cross which is one of two in the village.
The church also still contains the grave of Bishop Matthew Pritchard, the Vicar General of the Western region of the UK, who is buried under the alter of the church. And as such the church is still a draw to Catholics because of this.
The whole village has many interesing features including the Gothic style Gatehouse which stands at the start of the 3km driveway to The Hendre, once home of the Rolls family (of Rolls Royce fame) and the rather stunning almhouses on the road to Monmouth, built around 1900 in an Arts-and-Crafts Tudor style.
In all it is a most stunning church and well worth a visit.
To find the whereabouts of the final cache location look for the answer to the questions below and replace the letters for the appropriate numbers in the co-ords at the bottom. So here we go.
Just on the wall adjacent to where you have parked there is a tapped well/fountain (ideal for those with dogs), but above it is a small arch with a number engraved on the key chockstone. What are the middle numbers (ie not the number 1's)? AB
Before you enter the actual grounds take a look at the gates. What month were they refurbished (8th of ???? 2000)? Change that month to the number that the month is in the year? C
Now enter and head round to the left of the church to the main entrance. How many windows in the porch? D
How many points on the design of the window/windows in the porch? E
Just opposite the main doorway (and to the side slightly) there are some steps down to a bench dedicated to Edgar Jones. On the steps is a metal plaque dedicated to a wedding aniversary. How many years had the couple been married? FG
So replace your answers in this co-ord and off you go to get the cache! Final position N 51° 4B.CE(F-D) W 002° (D+E)F.(D-G)A(B+g)
The cache is a small tub. The clue will tell you exactly where it is if you feel inclined to read it. There is also no need to leave the path.
The ORIGINAL final postion (ie not now) was a lovely little spot at a waterfall with a slight clearing of the trees (at N 51° 49.876 W 002° 45.505) and is well worth the extra small walk (in the opposite direction) but please note, if you head off for this spot, please look for the correct path which branches off to the left through the old gate part way up the gravelled drive. Please do not continue up the drive into the property.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va gur objy bs gur gerr ng gur raq bs gur jver srapvat - ab arrq gb trg fpengpurq!
Treasures
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