This is a Virtual cache NOT a boat cache, you do NOT need to get wet (unless its raining, it is the Peak District after all). There is no physical cache to sign or find, to log the cache see details below.
St James and St John’s Church sat at the co-ordinates in the village of Derwent until just over 50 years ago. The cache is inspired partly by the world’s largest geocaching series, the fantastic Church Micro series . But mostly by the story, a story that one of us has been exposed to since childhood when their family travelled to stay with friends just up the valley above the Upper Derwent reservoir.
Once you get close to GZ you will need to be on the east side of the reservoir. In order to log this virtual you will need a camera. Either take a photo of yourself with the information board or write your caching name down and include that in the photo of the board; please get some of the background scene in, and send the photo through.
The Ladybower dam took 8 years to build (1935-43) and a further 2 years to fill. Once full the reservoir submerged the villages of Ashopton and Derwent (well almost). We have tried to include some interesting information in here, but if you want to know more we’ve included links to some of the websites that we found during our research.
The church here held its last service in March 1943 and although most of the village buildings were demolished before the water level rose, this picture shows how much of the church remained as the reservoir filled.
Lost Britain.
Below is a picture of the church spire that could still be seen above the water for some time after the opening of the reservoir. However in 1947, following concerns for safety, this was blown up with dynamite.
Picture Sheffield.
Some pieces of the church still survive; such as some of the stained glass (by Charles Kempe) which resides in the east window of St Michael and All Angels in Hathersage; and the bell can still be heard as it was re-hung in St Philip’s Church in Chaddesden.
Derwent Hall (built 1672) was also sadly lost in the water.
Historic England has lots of fantastic information on this subject and many others.
One structure that wasn’t lost was the ‘ancient’ packhorse bridge that stood in the village, this was dismantled and now stands across the river half a mile or so above the tip of the Howden reservoir.
John Fielding on Geograph.org
Congratulations to Team Shire for the First To Find (first to log and send through the required photo); I loved the fact that you went above and beyond by not only including the GPS, Info board and Team Name, But also yourself too, very clever (look closely). Hope you had a good day.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.
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