Wallingford is now a small, almost non-descript, market town in southeast Oxfordshire but it was once an important royal fortress on the banks of the River Thames. Perhaps because of that, in later years it developed a number of local industries which are no longer in operation but traces still remain….if you know where to look!
This cache (and its partner GC8EGWR) explore locations in Wallingford where you can still see some of the output of the ironworks that were run by members of the Wilder family. Less mundane survivors of their work are featured at GC4M66F and GC4M66H.
There are records of Wilders living in Ipsden as far back as 1658 where they were farmers; however in 1760 Francis Wilder inherited a foundry in the village which subsequently passed to his son Leonard who expanded the business greatly. Leonard had 5 daughters and 8 sons, of whom 5 started their own foundries. Three of these (in Henley, Guildford and Reading) were fairly short-lived but those in Wallingford (founded by Richard) and Crowmarsh (founded by Walter) survived until relatively recently and it is examples of their output you are looking for! As you will be looking down quite a lot during this cache, please take care when crossing roads and avoid bumping into pedestrians!! You will need to look at the gallery to see photos of the items you are looking for.
Your starting point (stage 1) is in the town centre and a fine example from Crowmarsh. This cover is next to a significant building in the life of the town. On its south side it has a number of pillars apparently supporting the first floor. That number is A
At stage 2 you will find a matching pair. Look north and you will see a large white circle with a red border. Beneath it is a sign with 2 words on it - count the number of vowels Iinclude duplicates) - that number is B
It’s not far to stage 3 where you will find an example of one of the most commonplace of Wilders products. Stand here and look south to see a large white sign with black letters – subtract the number of vowels from the number of consonants to get C.
Stage 4 and you are looking for several of the same items which are outside properties that were built in the early 1970’s, showing that the Crowmarsh site was still active then. Across the road, opposite the row of wheelie-bins, is a house with monastery connections – count the number of curved pieces of glass above the door and subtract the house number; the answer is D
Stage 5 involves a walk along Wallingford Bridge to see some output from the Wallingford foundry run by Richard Wilder. Originally powered by gas, we know the ornamental street lights were made by Wilders because some of them have the name WILDER embossed on the base visible from the footpath across the bridge. Two questions…..firstly, how many do NOT have the name showing as described (E) and secondly, multiply the number that have the name in gold paint by the number that have the name but it isn’t painted gold (F)
The Crowmarsh foundry was located just east of the end of the Bridge but all traces are now lost under the new houses.
The cache is located at N51 36.RST W001.07.XYZ where
R = B – D – E
S = F
T = A – D – E – E
X = C
Y = E
Z = A – B