This geocache takes you to an area of Eureka Park where the stream disappears underground. The culvert linking the cascade to Midway Pond, across the road beyond the park gates, was witness to an interesting escapade linked to one of the colourful characters of Swadlincote.
Charlie Hextall had served King and country during the Great War and returned to pursue his local pastime – poaching. On one occasion the police were looking for him. He was staying with his aunt in one of the cottages across the road. He dodged the policemen and jumped into the pond. He didn't surface! The police thought he had drowned. The death of Charlie as a result of a pursuit in this manner would be despised by locals.
Charlie was a likeable chap, much admired by “Swadie's” for his antics. The police continued to try to find him. It was dark and there was no sign. Sometime later he shouted from the ground now Eureka Park – 'I'm here, behind you'. He had waded through the culvert, his local knowledge had fooled the police. He ran off again. The outlet of the culvert at the top of the cascades is known as the 'Hole in the Wall. The lettering can still be seen today.
Pencil may be required