The Village
St Ewe as a community can be traced back to the 13th Century. The Saint is generally thought to have been female and her name is recorded in various forms including St Ywa, St Euwa and St Tue. Cornish Saints were not always holy men but often were missionaries or the younger sons of chieftains who took up "good social works". It is thought that St Ewe was St Theo of Bodeo in Brittany.
In 1821 the village had a population of 1663 most of whom were sojourners (residing temporarily) working in the nearby Happy Union Mine. In 2001 the population was 507. The village still has a pub but the last shop - the Post Office - closed in 1980.
The St Ewe Cross - located just outside the entrance to the churchyard - has a base which is over 1000 years old and, in company with many other buildings in St Ewe, is a Grade II listed building.
The Church
Originally rebuilt by the Normans on its present site in 1120.
It is open during daylight hours and you will need to enter the church to find some of the clues. During your hunt please take time to look at all the many features of this lovely Church - it contains some ancient commemorative plaques, a 12th Century Norman Font, a unique rood screen and an unusual tower.
If the Church is locked, an alternative calculation is provided based upon information from stages outside the Church.
The North Porch Entrance and the Tower date from the 14th Century.The South Aisle was added with a wagon style roof between 1390 and 1400.
The rood screen is unique of its kind and age having escaped destruction by Cromwell's soldiers. It is unusual amongst Cornish rood screens in that it has seven bays rather than the more traditional five.
In 1547 the bell tower housed 3 bells but this was increased in 1926 - one of the clues!! The weather vane on top of the tower has been there since 1696.
In the churchyard there are some amazing tombstones and monuments which suggest that back in the 1800s there were a number of wealthy local families. The yew trees are also very impressive and if it is windy they make a curiously spooky clacking noise.
The Cache
Parking is usually available outside the church in the middle of the village at the provided parking coordinates.
Stage 1 is at the entrance to the churchyard - note the interesting animal-blocking entrance. There you will find a black notice board giving the details of the present rector.
Q1 - What are the numerical digits in the Rector's Post Code - Answer = ABC
If the Church is Locked - Jump to Q6,
Walk through to the main entrance in the North Porch and enter the church. The light switches are on your right just inside the door. Please remember to turn them off before you leave.
Q2 - Walk across to your right into the bell ringing chamber - How many bell ropes are there? Answer = D
Q3 - Near the ancient font, on the wall is a Baptism Roll. On which day in April 1945 was Geoffrey C J Turner Baptised. Answer = E
Q4 - In front of the altar there is a memorial stone in the floor. How old was John Francis Hope when he drowned. Answer = FG
Q5 - To your left, whilst facing the altar, is a stained glass window commemorating a reverend of the church - Rev Thomas John Trevenen - How old was he when he died? Answer =HJ
Quest6 - Exit the church by the way you came in (remembering to turn off the lights!!) and go round to your left and walk across the graveyard to location N 50 16.761 W 004 50.371 - on the wall is a slate plaque dedicated to the Matthews Family.
Q6 - In what year did Lilian die? Answer = KLMN
Quest7 - Walk across the graveyard to N 50 16.773 W 004 50.339 and locate the Stephens Family Burial Plot. Admire the amazing iron work surrounding this plot - it looks like real rope.
Q7 - Locate the grave of John Stephens of Dairy in this Parish who died at what age on October 19th 1836. Answer = PQ
IF THE CHURCH IS OPEN:
You now have enough information to locate the final which is on a public footpath at-
N 50 FH.M(D+1)(G-1) W 004 Q(P-G).N(A-J)(H+J+F)
IF THE CHURCH IS LOCKED:
If the Church is locked, you can obtain the final coordinates using:
N 50 KB.C(B+K)N W 004 Q(C-M).N((4xK)-P)(P+Q)
CHECKSUM FOR SUM OF ALL DIGITS IN FINAL COORDINATES = 50
The footpath passes through the churchyard adjacent to the Stephens Family Burial Plot. You will need to descend some steps and partly cross a boardwalk. Please rehide the cache carefully - take care not to drop it!!!Please bring your own pen.
**************************************
For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.com.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
*************************************