Continuing the success of previous Geocaching in Middlesex events
We are pleased to invite you to attend #20.
Tuesday 16th July 2019
6:30 - 9:30pm (any time after is bonus time)
The Harrow,
142 Charlton Road, Charlton Village, Middlesex TW17 0RJ
Hopefully the weather will be nice, and we can congregate in the large garden, but if not we will be in the back room on the left side of the pub, and (hopefully) overflowing into the main bar area. Look out for the Middlesex flag, and for those who don't know me I will wear my red GIM on Tour 'Dumpster41' Hoodie, so please come and say hello upon arrival and I will introduce you the the regular crowd.
Unfortunately no dogs are allowed inside the pub, but are welcome in the garden.
The front door of the pub is not wheelchair accesible, however the garden is, and there is access to the back room we may be using (if the weather is poor) from the garden.
Free parking is available in the pub's own car park and also in residential streets nearby.
The venue is only a 5 minute drive from the M3 junction 1, or a 10 minute walk from the 216 (Kingston to Staines ) or 290 (Twickenham to Staines) bus routes, or an easy Uber driver from North Middlesex.
Events are a great way to meet fellow cachers and share caching stories (or even pick up a few hints for those puzzles) over a glass or two. If you've never been to an event before, you'll be made very welcome, whether you are from Middlesex, or further afield.
There will be the normal opportunity to swap and discover Travel Bugs and Geocoins.
Please leave a "Will Attend" note on the cache page and advise if you expect to eat in advance, as the pub will arrange extra kitchen staff if required.
The pub serves food from 6pm to 9pm and you can find the menu on their website, but on Tuesday's they also have a 2 meals for £15.00 menu (See gallery picture).
I look forward to seeing you all their at the first event I have hosted.
Geocaching in Middlesex (GIM) meets take place every other month and a normally the 3rd or 4th Tuesday of the month (with variations) so if you would like to host the next meeting please let us know.
The Harrow is said to be the oldest pub in Middlesex. Its thought to have been built around the 16th century, but many believe it to be much older.
A specialist architect name Bill Adams once conducted an investigation on the building and concluded that it was actually built around 1130.
The Discovery of a cache of silver coins found hidden beneath a door frame, all of which were dated before 1130, seem to back up his idea.
There is also debate over the Harrow's origin. Popular stories describe the Harrow as once being a gatehouse for Windsor Great Park,
a hunting lodge for The Royal Forrest, and a retreat for the clergy of Saint Peter. Its likely however, that the building was originally a fairly low status farm house or cottage.
Is is described as an "A" frame building constructed with specially cut English oak beams - the original hand carved mortise joints can still be seen. The spaces between the timbers are filled with wattle and daub (willow sticks and mud).
Although the Harrow is certainly the oldest building to be used as a pub in the area, it was not until the mid-nineteenth century that the first drink was poured. A beer retailer named William Lock became the first recorded licensee back in 1852.
Lock was also a market gardener, and this strong connection with horticulture may well have been how the Harrow got its name.
During this time the Harrow had no piped water, no drainage and no electricity. Water was supplied from a pump outside the front door,
which is still in place today. The right hand side of the building (currently the restaurant) was a separate cottage. At this point there were also no female lavatories, ladies simply stayed away.
In 1951 the Harrow was given a wines and spirits license making it a fully fledged public house.