Blackwater #10 Blackwater Fair Traditional Cache
Professor Xavier: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it. Please note that as this cache has now been archived by a reviewer or HQ staff it will NOT be unarchived.
Regards
Ed
Professor Xavier - Volunteer UK Reviewer
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Blackwater #10 Blackwater Fair
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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A circular route of 11 urban caches looking at the history of Blackwater including a multi that can be picked up enroute. 1 extra cache is a drive by further along the A30.
This is part of the History of Blackwater series of caches. I have lived here all my life and have found it interesting delving into the past stories of the town. There are over a thousand years of history surrounding the river crossing at Blackwater, known as Brydrs Ford (Brides Ford) from the Crondall Hundred survey of 973-974 AD
A large amount of the local information on these cache pages is from a brilliant book called “I Remember, You Remember” by Nora Hough which is sadly out of print now but available to borrow from local libraries.
The main cache route is circular and can all be done on bike. It is approximately 2 miles long and whilst doing the caches you can collect the clues for the multi. There are a few main roads to cross so please be careful.
Many of the cache locations are busy with muggles, especially during rush hour so be careful!
The wide open spaces around the former crossroads here (which led north, south, east and west) made this location ideal. This has now been replaced by the roundabout you see today.
Every year at this location on 7th and 8th November, hundreds of cattle, horses, pigs and sheep were bought and sold. This was the largest cattle fair in the south of England. The nearby fields would be full to overflowing with animals which had been brought along from as far as the West Country and Wales.
The local inns did a roaring trade. Pub windows were boarded up and sawdust laid on the floor and sacking hung on the walls as a measure of protection against rowdy drovers who were fearsome men indeed
The fair ran from the 13th Century until the last Blackwater fair took place in 1929.
This cache may be a little tricky if you are vertically challenged ;)
This cache has been placed with the kind permission of The Senior Ranger at Hampshire County Council's Countryside service.
PLEASE DO NOT PARK AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO GET THIS CACHE. IT IS A VERY FAST AND BUSY ROAD AND THERE IS PERFECTLY GOOD PARKING A STONES THROW AWAY. THE SIGN RIGHT NEXT TO THE CACHE MEANS NO STOPPING AT ANY TIME (A CLEARWAY). CACHING IS FUN, BUT IT IS NOT WORTH DIEING FOR :(
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE FTF - REGGIECAT :)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Zntargvp, nobhg 6 srrg hc