SEASONS GREETINGS
As we haven’t had a BBH Meeting this December, I’m taking this opportunity to offer you a short event that is a little different from our usual Mid-Weekish, Mid-Monthish, evening in a pub style event.
I invite you to to bring a flask (hip or thermos style) of something warming and as this is a BBH event any cake/mince pies etc that are left over from Christmas (if any) and join me at the remains of the Summer House in Tring Park for some caching chat and TB Discovery/Swapping.
This will be a short meet, as it will probably be rather chilly and quite possibly damp. There is a limited amount of shelter, (see the picture above) but there are no seats or facilities. There are however some caches to be found in the Park, if you haven’t already visited them.
After the event, if it isn’t too horrible I plan on going for a bit of a stroll with the idea of ending up at the pub in Wigginton; anyone wishing to join me will be very welcome – please can you let me know in your “Will attend” if you might be interested in doing so – Thanks.
When: Friday 28th December 2018 from 10:30 to 11:00ish
Where: The Old Summer House, Tring Park
Why: Because we are a sociable bunch and like to have a monthly meet and maybe some cake and we haven't done either yet this month.... (oh and there are some nearby caches to be found).
Who: Cachers from Bucks, Beds, Herts and beyond – everyone is welcome, Dogs and well behaved family muggles included. Are you new to caching or cache events? You will be made especially welcome - please feel free to contact me and I will look out for you.
What: This is the 132nd of an ongoing series of monthly events at various locations, handy for natives of the three counties to eat cake, talk caching, plan expeditions, swap TBs/Geocoins and did I mention Cake?
A little about The Summerhouse & Monument
The Grecian summerhouse was designed by James Gibbs who also created the nearby Nell Gwyn's Monument, an Egyptian style obelisk that was popular in Rome at the time, both of which were sited in what was part of a grand forest garden.
The summerhouse was constructed of brick and plaster and finished in white paint. It has a grand temple front with four classical columns, characterised by angular scrolls below an ornate triangular roof. With the addition of a kitchen and bathroom, it was used as a dwelling and occupied in Lord Rothschild’s day (19th century) by a gamekeeper and his son. All that remains now is the front section with the classical columns as the back was demolished in the 1970s when the road to Wigginton was widened.
The monument stands 50ft (15.4m) tall and is a tapering obelisk made of red brick and limestone ashlar which rests on a square pedestal and towers up to a pierced ball finial. Legend has it that it was built to commemorate the visits to the mansion of Charles II and his mistress Nell Gwyn.
These are both now Scheduled Ancient Monuments, both having undergone sensitive restoration in 1995. They were sited within the walks to surprise and delight – as they still do!
I regret that there is not much in the way of Parking near GZ, but I know that you are hardy Geocachers and not afraid of a bit of a walk!
If you drive to Wigginton, there is a parking area near the pub at N51° 46.811 W000° 38.472, but if you park considerately, I think you should be able to find on street parking a lot closer (either Highfield Rd or Commonfield Rd might be a good choice) (around N51° 47.007 W 000° 38.625)
There are two entrances to Tring Park close to the Summerhouse. The first, pretty much at the top of the hill is along the Ridgeway Path at N51° 47.144 W000° 38.829. Please do not park by these houses
The second, which is your best bet if you are approaching on foot up the Oddy Hill from Tring is at approx N51° 47.282 W000° 38.802 (not exact but you should see the footpath sign)
If you fancy a nice walk across the Park from Tring, there is Car Parking for the Museum just off the bottom of Hastoe Lane in Tring at N51° 47.394 W000° 39.631. I’m sorry, I have no idea how busy this will be on the day.
If you exit from the top of this car park, a path takes you to the footbridge over the A41 and into the park for a pleasant walk to GZ. Please note, (especially if you have a dog with you) there may be cows grazing in the Park.
Hope to see you there.