Due to issues with the tower, the pathway has been closed. Whilst most of the answers are accessible, B will be difficult to see. Therefore, B = 11.
St. Mary's Church, Ross-on-Wye
The Church of St Mary the Virgin stands on one of the highest points in Ross-on-Wye and its spire can be seen for many miles around. The view across the river towards the church when travelling along the A40 is one of the iconic views of Ross-on-Wye.
St. Mary's Church
As said, the Church of St Mary the Virgin stands on one of the highest points in Ross-on-Wye and is also one of the largest churches in Herefordshire.
It has been the centre of Christian worship in the town for over 700 years and is central to a large group of parishes in the area. It was originally founded by Robert de Betun, Bishop of Hereford, in the 13th century. The church, in its current form, was dedicated in 1316. There is evidence that suggests that there was a Saxon and Norman church there before the current one was built. Up until 1880 two trees grew inside the church, believed to be elm suckers from parent trees outside. However, restoration work in 1878 caused these trees to die, though they remained there until woodworm infestation caused them to be removed in 1953. There are a number of grand monuments in the church to families synonymous with Ross and are well worth a look.
The tower supports the 205’ spire and dates back to the 14th Century but was rebuilt in 1721 and the pinnacles were added using funds supplied by John Kyrle "The Man of Ross". The spire was repaired in 1852 after lightning struck it and more repairs were needed in 1911. More recently, the top of the spire was rebuilt in 1952 using funds donated by the public. In 1975 three of the pinnacles were removed as they were deemed to be unsafe and were eventually replaced in 1986. The tower also houses eight bells hung for full-circle ringing. The tenor weighs in at 20cwt or one ton. The bells also act as the clock chime, the clock being added to the tower in 1924.
The Cache
If you are using a wheelchair or mobility scooter, enter the grounds at the given waypoint and make your way around to the NE corner via the west (tower) end and begin at Qu 5. You should be able to see the answer from here and then make your way around. All will become clear - steps at this point.
So, the posted co-ordinates should bring you to the entrance porch. From here, take a route anticlockwise around the exterior of the church to obtain your answers.
Qu.1: Starting your journey around the building, between the tower and the North Aisle is a small window. How many circles are in this window? = A
Qu.2: On the north face of the tower a little above head height is an engraved stone. The sum of the second and fourth digits of the year = B
Qu.3: Looking up at the tower. How many gargoyles (water spouts) are there? = C
Qu.4: You are probably on the south side now. Looking atop the South Aisle, how many sides does the coronet have? = D
Qu.5: At the East end there is a receptacle. If it is a litter bin E = 9, if it is a dog poo bin E = 6, if it is a salt bin E = 2
Qu.6: Looking at the piece of grass that has the church noticeboard on it, how many graves share this patch of grass with a cross on top? = F
Now move to the Plague Cross at the waypoint co-ordinates.
Qu.7: How many lines of text on the square base block? = G
Qu.8: Looking at the plaque mounted by the cross, what is the third digit of the year? = H
Checksum = 41
To find the final, work out the following:
N51 AG.CD(B-A) W002 H(E+H).FDG
The cache is a magnetic micro so please bring your writing tool. And, please tuck back well.
A big thank you must go to the Rector, the Rev. Sean Semple, for allowing this cache to be placed on church grounds. Please be respectful of this place, thank you
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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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