This cache is not located at the published coordinates!
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--- Click on the photo to solve a puzzle ---
Shotgate is a charming village and civil parish nestled in Essex, England. It holds historical significance as the first area in Wickford to establish a Parish Council, a change enacted on April 1, 2007.
Historical Background:
Shotgate's rich history traces back to approximately 300 BC when archaeologists discovered Mid-Iron Age pottery at Shotgate Farm, indicating early human habitation. During Roman times, a road connecting Ilford to Latchingdon traversed through this area.
In the Saxon era, the land was divided into parallel strips known as 'Sceats,' providing the origin for the name 'Shotgate,' which is unrelated to shooting or hunting. The Domesday Book of 1086 references four farmsteads in Wickford, with Shotgate possibly being one of them, initially known as Ames or Aimes Farm.
By 1540, the Rede family had taken ownership of the farm, and Elizabeth Rede's migration to America led to her becoming an ancestor of both former U.S. President George W. Bush and presidential candidate John Kerry.
In 1663, England introduced turnpike (toll) roads, including one from Shenfield to Rayleigh, which passed through Shotgate. Around 1747, the Sharpe family renamed Ames Farm as Shotgate Farm. During this era, an inn called the King's Head was a prominent feature near what is now Oak Avenue.
The early 20th century witnessed the construction of houses as part of the 'Plotlands' initiative in Enfield Road and Oak Avenue. In 1921, the Archer family acquired Shot Farm, leading to the development of the modern-day Shotgate, including areas such as Bruce Grove, 1st to 5th avenues, and shopping parades.
Expansion and Modern Times:
In 1989, the village experienced significant expansion with the establishment of the Hodgsons Way Industrial Estate and housing estates. This expansion was named after RAF Pilot Officer William Henry Hodgson, a New Zealander who crash-landed his Hurricane aircraft near Shotgate during World War II. His actions prevented damage and injury to the local population, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Village Sign:
The Shotgate village sign, prominently situated next to Southend Road (A129), incorporates various symbols that hold significance:
- The gate symbolizes the entrance and exit to a piece of land.
- The wheatsheaf is derived from the Wickford coat of arms.
- The archer signifies the land that was formerly owned by the Archer family.
- The River Crouch, once broader and deeper than today, is depicted.
- The Hurricane fighter plane commemorates RAF Pilot Officer William Henry Hodgson's bravery on May 31, 1940, when he engaged hostile bombers and fighters over the River Thames in his Hawker Hurricane. Despite his aircraft being hit and catching fire, he chose to crash-land in fields just outside Shotgate, ensuring the safety of local residents and earning himself the Distinguished Flying Cross.
About Village Sign Caches
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This cache belongs to the Village Sign Series, a series of caches based on ornate signs that depict the heritage, history and culture of the villages that put them up (generally on the village green!).
The signs can be made of different materials from fibreglass to wood, from forged steel to stone. They can depict anything from local industry to historical events. The tradition probably started in Norfolk or Suffolk and has now spread across most of the country so we thought we would base a series on them!
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More information, bookmarks and statistics can be found at the Village Signs Website
If anybody would like to expand the Village Sign Series, please do.
I would ask that you request a number for your cache first at www.villagesignseries.co.uk
so we can keep track of the Village Sign numbers and names to avoid duplication.