This is a cache in the Postcode series, where cache names are based on the first half of the postcode for each area in the UK. If you wish to add to this series please contact fly2live2fly on dragon53lady@yahoo.co.uk for a number.
The published co-ordinates are for the former Town Hall, to find the cache co-ordinates simply read the information below about Mossley which covers the OL5 area, this will provide you the numbers asked for at the bottom of the page. It is as easy as that, the difficulty rating is more to do with the hide and the stealth required.
The name Mossley originates from the words moss, meaning a boggy area and lea meaning a clearing in a wood. There have been people living in the Mossley area for thousands of years, a stone-age axe and arrow heads were found on the hillside above Top Mossley.
Three Counties
Before it became a borough in 1885, Mossley was divided between three counties. Brookbottom (Top Mossley) and Bottoms (Bottom Mossley) were in Lancashire. This part of the town was historically part of the old parish of Ashton. Quickedge, Milton and Roughtown were in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The part to the east of the River Tame, including Micklehurst, was in Cheshire. The borough became part of Lancashire until 1974, when it became part of the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside.
Mossley's growth through Textile production
Wool production became the chief industry, with many weavers' cottages being built, incorporating a weaving room. When powered looms were invented, woollen mills and later, cotton mills were constructed in the valley.With the building of the canal, railway and the mill constructions along the valley bottom, Mossley spread out along the valley. It still has a well-used railway station and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, closed for fifty years, was re-opened in 2001.
The Mayall family exerted a great influence on the growth of Mossley through the mills. John was born in 1803, he sympathised with the working-classes and worked for the improvement and well-being of Mossley. He lent the Railway Company £1,600 to buy the land for a railway to be built which opened in 1849, and was instrumental in building Abney Congregational Church. In 1876, he possessed more mule spindles than any other private cotton spinning firm in the world and on his death on March 11 later that year, the Ashton-under-Lyne Reporter noted: "That Mossley had lost its founder and a generous benefactor."
George Mayall also made his fortune in the cotton industry in Mossley and between 1861-1863, had a private house Whitehall - built, which eventually became Mossley Town Hall officially opened as such on May 7, 1892, having received its Charter of Incorporation in 1885.
Some other facts about Mossley
Every year on Whit Friday, members of the various churches in Mossley parade in a walk of witness from the market place through the town with brass bands leading each group. The procession walks down to Bottom Mossley before walking back to their own church. This is followed by the band competition in the afternoon and evening as seen in the film Brassed Off.
The Co-operative society has a big association with this area and Tameside's first Co-op was opened in 1856 on Arundel Street, Mossley.
John Lees is believed to have been selling fish with chips out of a wooden hut at Mossley by 1863, which is claimed to be the first time these were sold together in England.
Ernest Sykes VC (4 April 1885 – 3 August 1949) was a local recipient of the Victoria Cross, which was award for gallantry in the face of the enemy during world war 1, he was honoured by a blue plaque erected in 1996 at the George Lawton Hall.
Mossley achieved Fairtrade Town Status on 5th September 2011 after volunteers raised the profile of Fairtrade, particularly with shops, cafes, workplaces and schools and churches having been working since 2009.
The Puzzle:
The cache is at N 53 30.abc W 002 02.xyz found from the following:
When was Tameside's first Co-op opened 185a
When was the Town Hall officially opened 189b
When did Mossley first become a borough 188c
In what year did it become a borough of Tameside 197x
In what year did it gain Fairtrade status 201y
In what year did John Mayall die 187z
Just in case you need the reassurance a quick check sum adding a+b+c+x+y+z will equal 24.
This is a wheel chair accessible cache on a pavement, but is a busy spot so you need to pick your moment.
Happy hunting.