Ringwood Carvery Multi-Cache
Carrie, Nick & Mima: I have decided to archive this cache as I have little time for caching and can't be doing with rudeness. Thank you to all who have put lovely comments on here.
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A multi cache taking in some of the sights and points of interest around Ringwood.
Ringwood is an historic Hampshire market town bordering the New Forest. Its history dates back to Anglo-Saxon times where it was first recorded in 961 as Rimucwuda. Ringwood has held a weekly market since the Middle Ages which was first chartered by Henry III and, until 1989, there was also a cattle market in the Furlong.
It has had a colourful and rich history with James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth and local resident, Alice Lisle, both being executed for their respective misdemeanours by the infamous Hanging Judge Jefferies. Once renowned for its glove making, Ringwood is now, perhaps, better known for its brewery.
The cache is not at the listed co-ordinates, which are for Stage 1, but will take you on about a mile walk around the town and some of its points of interest. At each of the six points mentioned, you will need to find information which will give you the final co-ordinates. The walk is buggy friendly and there are plenty of stop off points if you need a breather! The cache is a small clip lock container in a camo bag, containing a number of swaps. Feel free to take an item but please trade fairly and replace with an item of similar value (about £1). There is a badge for FTF and room for TBs.
Parking is in the main car park – the front section is short stay and there is a fee payable unless you have a New Forest Parking Clock. At the end of your search, you can walk through Carvers, which has a great play area for children and room for picnics before returning to the car park.
Stage One N 50°50.824 W 001°47.519
From the car park, head to the new Gateway which incorporates the Tourist Information Centre and Council Offices. Find the Information Board and note down the full date that Ringwood dates from (WXYZ).
Y + Z = A
Stage Two Continue to the Furlong Centre, the one time situation of the cattle market. In the centre of the square there is a large bronze statue. In what year was the sculpture placed in the Furlong (WXYZ)?
X – Y + Z = B
Stage Three Walk down Star Lane and turn right into Market Place. Head towards the Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul which was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Find the plaque to John Hawtrey, Vicar, and record the date (WXYZ).
W - Y = C
Stage Four From the church, continue to walk down West Street – look out for the ground level compass - and find the blue plaque to commemorate the Duke of Monmouth’s incarceration prior to his execution. In what year was he defeated at the Battle of Sedgemoor (WXYZ)?
Y – Z + W = D
Stage Five Back track a little and walk down Strides Lane. At the end, you will be greeted with views across the River Avon and a small park, the Danny Cracknell Pocket Park named after a former Mayor. In what year was he born (WXYZ)?
Z - W = E
Stage Six Continue to walk up the Bickerley. You may wish to take a short detour to the Castleman Trail, the site of the old railway line, and part of the old Southampton and Dorchester Railway. Turn left up Bickerley Gardens where you will pass Greyfriars, an elegant Georgian house now home to a community centre. Cross the road to the War Memorial and note the number of surnames beginning with ‘B’ from the 1914-18 war (Y) and similarly, those from the 1939-45 war (Z).
(Y – Z) ÷ 2 = F
The cache can be found using the numbers from each of the above stages and placed into the co-ordinates below:
N 50°50.ABC W 001°DE.2F4
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Tngrjnl gb fhpprff - ner lbh gbb ehfgl gb svaq?