Citylife in Lichfield November 2022

Outdoor Treasure Hunting in the Wild
By Dr Mark Knight
Geocaching is a treasure hunt for the digital generation,
where you can enjoy the freedom of being outside and
discovering new places. Whether under tall trees or on an
expanse of beach, there are geocaches hidden across the UK and
this global treasure hunt has come to the Trent Valley!
One of my tasks as Cultural Heritage Officer of the Transforming the
Trent Valley (TTTV) scheme has been to create geocache sites near
pillboxes and along the Trent Valley Way. So far, we have installed seven
caches - three at pillbox sites and four along the route of the Trent
Valley Way. One at Wolseley Bridge and another at Shardlow mark each
end of the scheme area. One along the river at Branston Leas takes the
seeker to this beautiful stretch of the Washlands, and one detours from
the Trent Valley Way to the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust managed site at
Croxall Lakes. We have placed 200 wooden tokens in old ammo cans at
each site. Each token bears the Trent Valley Way bat and salmon icon,
our TTTV logo and a unique reference code that can be logged at the
geocaching website. Once the 200 tokens (or 'woodies' as the
geocachers call them) are gone, they won't be replaced, so go forth
now intrepid treasure seekers before the treasure is gone for good!
We now have funding for additional sites along the River Dove
(which includes two pillbox caches) and we are planning to create
further sites along the River Tame too. Keep an eye on the geocache
apps to be ready when they appear.
If you would like to get involved, the geocaching website is
Photo by Dr Mark Knight
www.geocaching.com where you can create your own login and join
the fun.
What is a geocache?
Participants use Global Positioning Systems (GPS), or mobile phone
maps, to track down 'secret' locations - a form of 'treasure hunting'. You
can download a free geocaching app for Android or iPhone. Typically,
you will find a waterproof container holding a notepad and pen, and
sometimes a token or trinket. These are known as geocaches, or caches,
each of which has a unique reference code. You can log your find of the
cache on the website or app, sign your name on the paper inside and, if
you are lucky to find a token, you can either keep it or move it to a new
location. If you take a treasure out of the box, you should leave another
trinket in its place, so come prepared!
J HOWELL &
DAUGHTERS
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