This cache is part of a series of caches which are placed at or near village halls and community centres. This is a series which other cachers can add to and expand into other geographical areas. See the bookmark list for all the caches in the series.
South Zeal is a small town, with a population of approximately 1300, and lies within the parish of South Tawton. The town is situated inside of the Dartmoor National Park, and the skyline to the south is dominated by the very impressive dome of Cosdon Beacon (previously known as Cawsand). The historic elements of the town has resulted in it being designated a nationally important Conservation Area, because of the well preserved integrity of the historic New Town layout and the Burgage Plots.
The town was founded in 1264 when Robert de Tony, Lord of the Manor of South Tawton, obtained royal permission to form a borough and built a new town along the main route from Exeter to Cornwall. The layout, which can still be clearly seen today, was built around a wide central street, a wide green and market place. From this main street long narrow strips of land extended from it at right angles, these are the Burgage Plots. The use of these plots ranged from agriculture, to ancillary workshops for small scale industry. The town was originally called Sele Tony, which later became South Sele, and finally South Zeal.
Notable buildings within the town include the two churches, the inn, the King's arm and the market cross. South Zeal used to boast two churches, one dedicated to St. Mary and the other Shelley Chapel, a Methodist chapel. Shelley Chapel has since stopped being used as a place of worship, with a closing ceremony in July 2017, and at the time of placing this cache it had just been successfully sold, presumably for a private residence. The inn, the Oxenham Arms, is a Tudor building that was once the great house of the wealthy Burgoyne family. The original building was constructed around an immence granite menhir (standing stone) that is still clearly visible today within the interior of one of the walls. The building represents a time of immense wealth for the town, htat was largely built upon the wool and cloth trade.
The King's Arms, located at the western 'entrance' to the village and is an fine example of a 16th century house, with its grand porch, granite framed windows and thatched roof.
The Market cross is a 14/15th cross that sites centrally in the widest part of the street. The association with 'market' is thought to be largely based on inference from the fact that South Zeal was granted a license to hold a market and two fairs in 1299.
To work out the coordinates for the final you need to go to the village hall and find the following information.
1) On the left of the doorway the number of inlaid stones minus those without inlay = A
2) On the left of the doorway the number of non inlaid stones = B
3) On the right of the doorway the number of inlaid stones = C
4) Above the doorways there is a plaque with Victory Hall on it. Minus the first digit from the second digit = D
N 50 43.ABA W 003 54.CCD
If you would like to expand the Village Hall Series by placing a cache of your own please contact GeoJaxx on villagehallseries@gmail.com to request a number and to add the cache to the bookmark list.