Linda's Jam-Packed Birthday Cache Multi-Cache
Church Warden: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.
Regards
Paul
Church Warden - Volunteer UK Reviewer www.geocaching.com
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Linda's Jam-Packed Birthday Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Our first cache placed in honour of Linda's birthday. The cache is named after the world-famous Wilkins jam which is produced nearby.
NOTE THAT THE CO-ORDINATES ARE FOR THE NOTICEBOARD ONLY. SEE THE END OF THE DESCRIPTION FOR THE CACHE CO-ORDINATES. Please use the designated car park and walk to the sign co-ordinates.
Tiptree Heath is a small fragment of a huge heathland that used to stretch from Maldon to Messing, covering thousands of acres. It is the finest and largest area of heath in Essex, and the only place where you will find all three heather species growing together.
The heath had been nibbled away by enclosure for centuries before it received what seemed like a death blow during World War II, when the common land laws were suspended and it was ploughed up for agriculture. But it produced only poor crops, and in 1955 was sown with grass seed and left to look after itself. The result was that some of it turned into light woodland and scrub, but on large areas the heathland plants reappeared.
In 1973 the present heath was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is managed by Essex Wildlife Trust with the support of the Friends of Tiptree Heath.
Ling heather, which is tall and vigorous enough to survive in gorse, covers large areas, and there are areas of bell heather and a small amount of cross-leaved heath that prefers the wetter parts. In late summer, harebells can be seen with their dainty blue bell-shaped flowers. The heath also has a number of other unusual wild plants, including heath dog-violet, allseed and chaffweed.
Its birdlife includes many willow warblers, nightingales, turtle doves and the occasional woodcock.
Heathland is very difficult to recreate once scrub and trees have taken over. Radical measures have had to be taken to restore Tiptree Heath, including bulldozing down to the mineral soil. Routinely, areas are flailed on rotation, so you can see ling heather at all stages of growth. These destructive conservation methods are still not enough to keep back the continually invading scrub and it is planned to graze a few cattle inside fenced areas during summer months as a more sustainable tool.
At the time of placement the cache contained logbook and pencil, smiley face, LED torch and a small candle.
To find the cache, you will need the following information from the large information sign near the specified co-ordinates:
A. How many times is the word Tiptree mentioned in the main body of the text?
B. How many times is the word Colchester mentioned in the main body of the text?
C. How many specific bird species are mentioned?
D. How many different activities are specifically forbidden on the Heath?
The final co-ordinates are:
N 51°(A)(D).(C+D)(B-C)0
E 000°(A)(B).(A*C)(C)(C+D)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ubyl fvyire ovepu Ongzna!