Newbury GeoCache Series
After our recently placed GeoCache Series at Great Western Park (GWP) (cache #1-11, 14, 17-19, 30-32, 35, 38, 60-61, 80-81, 84, 104-106), Didcot (cache #12-13, 15-16, 20-25, 29, 33-34, 41-42, 44-45, 47-48, 53, 59, 62-63, 66-67, 69-79, 82-83, 90-103, 107-112, 117-119, 121-129, 137-141, 146), Harwell (cache #26, 36-37, 43, 46, 54-55, 58, 68), Chilton (cache #27-28, 85), Sutton Courtenay (cache #39, 64-65), Milton (cache #40, 49-52, 56-57), Upton (cache #86-87), Long Wittenham (cache #88-89), Hagbournes (cache #114-116), Kingsgrove (cache #120, 130-132), Compton (cache #133-134), Appleford (cache #135-136) and Newbury (cache #142-145, 147), we decide to place a few more caches in other parts of Didcot and surrounding villages, in order to honour local heros, and to reflect our rich local history, stories and heritage. We hope you will enjoy these new caches and may also learn something new when you are caching, thank you!
Newbury #148 - St Nicolas Church (Officially Known as Church Micro 5284...Newbury - St Nicolas)
About St Nicolas Church, Newbury
Address: West Mills, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5HG
St Nicolas Church is the Church of England parish church of Newbury, Berkshire, and stands just south of the main bridge over the River Kennet, in the centre of the town. The Grade I listed building is chiefly remarkable for the consistency of its Perpendicular Gothic architectural style and its unusually large size for a parish church. It remains a lively and active church with a congregation of around 260.
History
St. Nicolas Church is dedicated to the eponymous Bishop of Myra in the fourth century. A church was first built in this site during Norman times, and it is mentioned in a document of 1086 in which Ernulf of Hesdin gives the church of the Abbey of Préaux.
The present parish church was entirely rebuilt, probably between the years 1509 and 1533. It is in the architectural style of the late Perpendicular period. The presence of certain devices in the stonework, in particular the pomegranate device (the apple of Grenada) and the portcullis device (which appears on the Tudor royal escutcheon) indicates that the church was built during the marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, which ended in divorce in 1533.
In Fuller's History of the Worthies of England, published in 1663, it is stated: "John Winchcombe, commonly called Jack of Newbury... built the church of Newbury, from the pulpit westward to the tower inclusively, and died about the year 1520".
Although the church was extensively restored by the Victorians, they made no major structural alterations. It was designated as Grade I listed in 1950.
Architecture
The plan of the church is typical for a parish church, consisting of nave and chancel with no transept. Considered large compared to other churches of the same style, the nave has a clerestory, lighted by five large three light windows on either side, and aisles with arcades of five arches each. These aisles open into what were chantry-chapels on either side of the chancel. The southern chantry-chapel still has that role, but the northern is used as a vestry and contains the organ.
The west tower has a peal of ten bells and a Sanctus bell. The back eight bells date from 1803 and were cast from the now defunct Wells of Aldbourne bell foundry; they were re-hung in 1933 with new fittings and were augmented from 8 to 10. The front two date from 1933 and were cast by Mears & Stainbank of Whitechapel Road, London. The tenor bell, which weighs 21-2-1 (1093 kg), is in the note of D. The stained glass windows date from the Victorian restoration by Henry Woodyer as do the external crenellations along the roof-line, and the pinnacles and turrets of the tower.
The stained glass windows installed for this restoration were manufactured by Hardman & Co., the largest number being designed by John Hardman-Powell with some later ones designed by Donald Taunton. There is a Jacobean pulpit dating from 1607.
Today
The church continues to play a central role in both the Christian and wider community of Newbury, fulfilling its purpose as an Evangelical Anglican parish church of Biblical preaching and worship. It has a congregation of around 260. A tune entitled 'Newbury' is a traditional English melody adapted for the hymn 'Jerusalem, thou city blest' (New English Hymnal 228).
Information Source: St Nicolas Church, Newbury - Wikipedia
About this Multi-cache:
At the published coordinates, you will be standing in front of the church's west entrance. On the door above the keyhole, there is a small sign, which has two lines of words on it. The number of letters in the first word on the second line is A.
Please move to Stage 2, where you will find a bench in memory of Ted and Dorothy. On the bench there is a plaque. The number of letters in their surname is B, and Ted was born in the year of 19CD.
Please then walk to Stage 3, where you will be looking for another bench installed by Newbury Girl Guiding. On the bench plaque there are several lines of words. The number of letters in the first word on the third line is E, the number of letters in the second word on the fourth line is F, and the later year on the bottom line is 19GH.
Finally, please relocate to Stage 4, where you will find a large grave for Robert. Robert passed way on JK October 18LM.
The final coordinates are some distance away at:
N51 ( B - C - D ) ( C + D ) . ( B - A ) ( E - A - C ) ( J - K )
W001 ( H - G ) ( L * M ) . ( J * ( K + D ) ) ( A / F ) ( J + K )
You may check your answer via the following GeoCheck:
Please also note:
Please bring your own pen, and open & close the cache lid carefully so the cache and log book can survive longer.
Please also replace exactly as found due to obvious reason, and please be careful with the possible thorns and stinging nettles. Long sleeves, trousers, and gloves are recommended.
You do not need to cross any fence or enter any private land.
Thank you and enjoy GeoCaching!
FTF: Congratulations to sheep! for their FTF on 29 March 2026!
*****************************************************
If you would like to add to the Church Micro series yourself then please visit
http://churchmicro.co.uk/
There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page that can be found at
http://www.15ddv.me.uk/geo/cm/index.html
*******************************************************