Great Western Park GeoCache Series
After our recently placed GeoCache Series at Great Western Park (GWP) in Didcot about the local Archaeological Sites and Treasures (cache #1-9), we decide to place a few more caches at GWP, in order to honour local heros and to reflect local history, stories and heritage. We hope you enjoy these new caches and may also learn something when you are caching, thank you!
Great Western Park #11 - Sir Frank Williams Avenue
Below is an online BBC news report dated 15 October 2012, with its weblink being: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-19947960
"A road in Oxfordshire has been named after Sir Frank Williams, the former Formula One team manager.
Sir Frank officially unveiled the road sign "Sir Frank Williams Avenue" in Great Western Park, Didcot.
The new development straddles the Didcot and Harwell boundary and is set to contain 3,300 houses by 2026.
A resident originally suggested the name for the road, which South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils approved.
'Mildly embarrassed'
Sir Frank described the honour as "very touching" and added he was "mildly embarrassed".
The first residents moved into Great Western Park in June last year and 130 houses have been built so far.
"Sir Frank Williams Avenue" is the only road named after a living person in the Vale of White Horse council area.
In 1977, Sir Frank bought an empty industrial unit in Didcot with engineer Patrick Head and used it to set up Williams Grand Prix Engineering.
The Williams F1 team has competed in more than 500 Grand Prix, achieving 113 wins, nine World Constructors' Championships and seven World Drivers' Championships.
Sir Frank, who has used a wheelchair since breaking his neck in a car accident in France in 1986, stepped down as chairman in July 2010."
About this geocache:
This cache is placed close to Sir Frank Williams Avenue at Great Western Park (GWP), in memory of Sir Frank Williams, who sadly passed away on 28 November 2021. The Williams Racing Formula One Team is currently located a short distance away in Grove, Oxfordshire.
Please also note:
Please bring your own pen, and open & close the cache lid carefully and properly so the cache can survive longer. Also please seal the log book bag properly so the log paper will remain dry. The container is big enough for some trackables and swaps.
The cache is close to a very busy road and busy footpaths, so please be safe and expect muggles at any time of the day.
Please also replace exactly as found due to obvious reason, and please be careful with the possible thorns, stinging nettles, and overhead tree branches! Long sleeves, trousers, and gloves are recommended.
You do not need to cross any fence or enter any private land.
Next to this cache you may also find the information boards for our nearby two caches on archaeological treasure:
GCB8HWC: Great Western Park #6 - First Farmers in Didcot.
GCB8HVJ: Great Western Park #7 - Hunter-Gatherers in Didcot.
Thank you and enjoy GeoCaching!
FTF: Congratulations to wendykmj for their FTF on 14 July 2025!