Note : there is a picnic event after this CITO at 1130-1230. See separate event GC9VTDZ
This CITO is in support of the National Trust (NT) to refresh the chalk on the Uffington White Horse. It takes place on Sunday 28th August. The NT are also doing this on Bank Holiday Monday 29th August but this CITO is only on the Sunday. It is always an enjoyable activity and you are playing a part in maintaining a 3,000 year old national monument. You can see the difference afterwards.
The work on the White Horse is being organised by the NT between 1000-1530. No booking is necessary, you can just turn up. We will be supporting them 10.00 - 11.00 on Sunday 28th August to help get the event off to a good start. You can arrive at any time during 10.00 - 11.00, it is better if people stagger their start times. Expect to work up to 30 minutes (any longer risks repetitive strain - I can vouch for this).
The National Trust will provide equipment, safety instructions and guidance at the sign-up point. In short, this involves sitting next to the White Horse and using a lump hammer to break fresh lumps of chalk and pound them into the White Horse surface (see photo).
Please wear suitable clothes and shoes for climbing the slopes of the white horse which you don’t mind getting dirty, and which will give you some grip on a slippery steep slope. I strongly recommend using gloves when using the hammer repeatedly (these are provided or you can bring your own). You can work at your own pace and there is usually an opportunity to chat to other cachers before, during and afterwards.
There are no facilities such as water, food or toilets. There is a charge by the NT for car parking (free for National Trust members with their membership card). There is often an ice cream van in the car park when the weather is good. There is a 10-15 minute uphill walk from the car park to the white horse / event coordinates.
I recommend that you bring water (and sandwiches if required) in a backpack up to the event. If the weather is good then it is a lovely location for a picnic. It is on the top of the hill so exposed to the wind and rain. There are a good selection of other caches nearby including two of mine from September 2002 and May 2004.
If the weather conditions are bad then this event may be cancelled. There is also a possibility of change to the Covid situation. If so, I’ll make an announcement on this page as soon as I get this information. To receive announcements via email, make sure you have logged a “will attend”.