The Letterbox Cache
The cache container is a medium sized clip-top box wrapped in a camouflaged bag hidden around Poolsbrook Country Park, although not near the water or the busy main areas. There is a hand-carved souvenir stamp and ink pad with this one which should stay in the container. Remember to put the stamper back in its box and the top back on the ink afterwards and keep it in the bag so it doesn't make a mess for the next person. There are some blank slips of paper left in there too for those who don't have a stamping book. As with my other letterbox caches I included a special souvenir for the first to find which is the first imprint made with this stamp that has been laminated. Congratulations to batwt1974 for being FTF and claiming the souvenir.
Letterbox caches may take a little longer to do, given the time unpacking the ink pad and stamper, stamping the card and then waiting a few minutes for it to dry, along with signing the usual log and then packing everything back away. There is enough space inside the cache for trackables and some swappables as long as everything is packed back in neatly. Generally there is not anyone around this area but people can suddenly appear from either side. There is a clear view of the path in both directions before you leave the path but you will need to cross the drainage ditch - there is a small bridge over pretty much right below the cache.
As you can see from the map the location of the cache is slightly away from the main car parks and play areas. This is partly because of limited space as there are so many caches around, but it also gives you an easier time retrieving the cache away from an abundance of people. With the path to this cache being across the main road from the car parks and central park areas please take care when crossing over the road, especially if caching with young children.
History:
The area around Poolsbrook Country Park was first transformed dramatically from farmland in the 1870s as the Staveley Coal & Iron Company started sinking mineshafts in the area. Mining was at its peak here during the 1920s and still going strongly for several decades after this, until the closures started in the 1980s. During the 1990s Derbyshire County Council commenced with the clean-up of the spoiled wasteland left from the mining and with the help of European development funds were able to transform the land back to nature. After management was transferred to Chesterfield Borough Council in 1997 there were 2 years of major work and investment into roads, paths, toilets and other amenities to finally make this a country park open to the public for walking, fishing, horse trekking, cycling and running. Additional play areas and fitness equipment have been added more recently to compliment existing features of picnic benches and walk areas. The park is home to many birds, fish and other wildlife as well as a range of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Parking is free and there are 2 car parks, the closest to the cache being the one just off Erin Road on the north side of the main lake. These car parks do close around dusk so the time does vary throughout the year.
After finding this cache you may want to look for other caches in the park and surrounding areas if not done so already. There are numerous traditional caches along with a puzzle cache and an earthcache.
If you want to check out my other letterbox caches in the Web Post series then click on the cache names below:
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