This is a multi-cache with seven virtual stages around the town of Ringwood, aiming to highlight some of the town's history. It will take you on a walk of over a mile. The stages can be completed in any order but please note that stage 7 is closest to the physical cache. You can park at any of the car parks in Ringwood though the cache is designed to start near the Furlong car parks.
Stage 1: Gateway Square. N50.50.824 W001.47.534
A grand new council building known as the Gateway was built here to combine the offices of Ringwood Town Council and New Forest District Council. At the given co-ordinates you will find a post with the year the building was completed.
A= The last digit of the year
Stage 2: Mare and Foal Sculpture. N50.50.849 W001.47.619
You are now in the Furlong shopping centre. A furlong is an imperial measurement and is the equivalent of one eighth of a miles or 220 yards.The building now occupied by Boston Tea Party was Frampton's Mill and was built in 1913 to store corn and seed and to grind animal feed. The building was orginally powered by gas though has long since been converted to electricity. On market days Frampton's Yard bustled with farmers, smallholders and local characters and was likely reminiscent of a Thomas Hardy novel. These days the only evidence of it's past is the text on the Waitrose end of the building.
This sculpture were created by Priscilla Hann and represents Ringwood's links to the old animal market in the New Forest. In front of the sculpture you will find a plaque with a date on. (Please not you are looking for a small metal plaque on the ground, not the A-frame sign).
B= The second digit of the date
Stage 3: Jubilee Lamp N50.50.816 W001.47.702
This lamp in Ringwood's market place was constructed in 1887 for Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. The lamp is a grade 2 listed monument and was restored in 2013. On the stone plinth you will find an inscription of the person who donated the stones.
C= Number of letters in his surname.
(The lamp is currently fenced off so C=3)
Stage 4: Duke of Monmouth N50.50.791 W001.47.774
Ringwood became nationally famous during the Civil War when the Duke of Monmouth was imprisoned in this house in West Street. He was eventually transferred to London where he was executed. Shortly afterwards local woman Alice Lisle harboured fugitives from the Monmouth Rebellion at her house in Moyles Court. Despite being 68 she was sentenced to be burned at the stake by infamous Judge Jeffreys. Due to her social status King James II changed the sentence to beheading and Alice Lisle was the last woman to be exectued by judcial sentence of beheading in England.
D= The last digit of the year of the battle.
Stage 5: Roy Carter Mural N50.50.755 W001.47.473
Please note there is no footpath at this location- it is a quiet road which is one-way but please be aware of cars.
Roy Carter, known affectionly to locals as Catweazle, was a local eccentric who for many years could be seen riding on his bike around the town and quacking at the locals. He was a popular character in the town and all long-standing Ringwood residents can remember a time he quacked at them.
E= The third digit in the year of birth.
Stage 6: War Memorial N50.50.710 W001.47.327
The memorial ensures the names of locals who fought in the First and Second World Wars live on. There were many airfields in the New Forest during the Second World War and therefore the town was often filled with military figures. On at least one occasion it's proximity to the airfields led to it being bombed and Old Stacks House was badly damaged.
F= Number of people with the surname 'Melbourne' on the memorial.
Stage 7: The Railway Hotel N50.50.537 W001.47.158
Ringwood was connected to the national rail network in 1847 when a rail line between London to Dorchester opened. Dorset businessman Charles Castleman was the driving force behind the line and due to the lack of straight sections the line was nicknamed 'Castleman's Corkscrew'. The line was closed in the 1960s as part of the Beeching cuts which is a shame as a rail line might have helped to reduced the traffic that regularly queues through the town. Much of the old rail line is now a walking and cycling path known as the Castleman Trailway.
G= The first digit in the phone number after the area code (i.e. the bit after 01425).
Final Stage= N50.D(C-F).G(F-E)A W001.46.(B-E)(E+G)G
The final stage is a little way from the town centre and you will see further relics from the former railway line. The trailhead is at the end of a road beginning with the letter 'E'. Since building work has taken place this is now a lovely tarmac footpath with bollards at the end. The footpath beyond may become a bit muddy in winter but is usually easily passable. The cache is a large bison with room for a trackable or two. Please leave the cache as found so it is not visible from the footpath.
Please do get in contact if you have trouble with any stage of the cache and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I would like to think that cachers will appreciate the effort that has gone into setting this cache and will leave an online log consisting of more than 'TFTC'. Photos of your adventure are encouraged. I hope you enjoy your time in Ringwood!