Bloodsock's Birthday Bethel.
A commemorative Church Micro cache, published on the birthday of 'Bloodsock' who was an avid and prolific geocacher, particularly fond of CMs.
But, more than this, Fred was also a father, a grandfather and cherished friend to Team Baby_Jester; never forgotten, always sorely missed.
Bloodsock tragically lost his battle with cancer in 2018 after a brave fight, but we have placed this cache in his memory so he can continue to be part of the caching family and in the thoughts of those who claim this find.
Twinned with the nearby cache 'Little Bridges #1700 Bloodsock's Birthday Bridge' (see GC89HQY).
The Church of Saint James the Less, Dorney, Buckinghamshire.
There has been a church on this yew-fringed patch of ground north of the River Thames since at least the 12th century, meaning that today’s congregation continue a tradition of worship that can be traced back nearly 1000 years.
The current chancel dates from the 12th century church but there is archaeological evidence of a pre-Conquest building. In subsequent times the nave has been rebuilt and the floor level raised. At the west end of the nave is a Norman font with decorative designs carved into the stonework around the basin.
There are three restored medieval paintings in this church. Two, depicting the Annunciation, are on the North side of the chancel on either side of the door that opens into the Garrard Chapel, next to the alter. The Angel Gabriel can be seen to the left, and the Virgin Mary to the right. Some fragmentary medievel painting can also be see in the gallery to the left of the tower arch.
The font occupies a central spot beneath an ancient oak gallery which is home to the church organ and, further back even still, sits the massive Tudor tower, the summit of which is the highest point in Dorney. The tower contains a peal of 6 bells.
The south porch, the day to day entrance to the church, is made of ancient red brick and dates to 1661 when it was built to commemorate the birth of Lady Anne Palmer, the child of Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine and Roger Palmer, Earl of Castlemaine.
The names of almost all the clergy who have served in this church are known back to the 13th century and a list of them hangs in the nave.
The Multi.
The published coordinates should place you in front of the main church doorway.
First locate the bench dedicated to Shirley Horner and note the year of her death (ABCD).
Next, without leaving this small graveyard, find the grave that bears the name of a bird of prey and the crest of the locally significant "Palmer" family, and note the year of birth (EFGH).
The cache can be found a short walk away at:
N51 G(C-H).(A+E)(B-F)(D+G)
W000 (D-E)(B-F).EG(B/G)
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.co.uk.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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