Church Micro 2998...Stinsford Multi-cache
Professor Xavier: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it. Please note that as this cache has now been archived by a reviewer or HQ staff it will NOT be unarchived.
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Ed
Professor Xavier - Volunteer UK Reviewer
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Church Micro 2998...Stinsford
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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A Church Micro at St Michael's Church, Stinsford.
Architecturally, the church is essentially 13th century in construction but is described as Transition - Norman and has had many alterations in subsequent centuries like most other churches of the period.
To the right and above the west door there is a new relief of St Michael installed in 2011. The Saxon relief of St Michael was carefully removed in 1996 for restoration and is now installed in the south aisle so as to protect one of the oldest features of the church from the further ravages of time.
In 1843, the greater part of the west gallery was removed, which until then had housed the musicians choir during services. Again in 1911, the remaining portion of the gallery was removed along with the box pews and replaced with chairs, which still remain today.
Turning left towards the north aisle, the windows here had contained mid 19th century badly faded Victorian enamelled glass. These were replaced in 2000 with clear glass retaining some of the rose coloured glass in the top roundels. This aisle was built into the fabric in 1630 and once contained the main entrance to the church, long since bricked up. There are many fine monuments to local families mounted on the walls.
Proceeding to the chancel steps, we see the east window which is imitation gothic, inserted in 1868.
In the south aisle are the most modern windows commemorating the Thornton family, who together with the generosity of Col. Balfour of Kingston Maurward were largely responsible for the restoration of the church as you see it today. Of the greatest interest perhaps is the window dedicated to the memory of Thomas Hardy, poet, which was installed in 1930 soon after his death, paid by public subscription.
The font of Norman origin was discovered in small fragments by Thomas Hardy himself in the churchyard and restored in 1920 and placed at the west end of the nave. This replaced the former font, which was situated in the north aisle and in which Thomas Hardy was christened.
The ashes of Thomas Hardy are interred in Westminster Abbey in Poet's Corner but his heart is buried here, in the grave of Emma, who died in 1912. His second wife, Florence was also laid to rest in the same grave in 1937.
To find the cache you will have to collect the following information:
As you walk in from the main gate, count the lights along the path to the church = A
Just before you reach the door of the church, count the slits in the wall to the east = B
How many letters in the name of the creature being slain on the relief above the church door = C
Continue along the path to a bench in memory of Walter Sansom DEFG (late organist and friend of this church)
Now you can take a seat and work out the final co-ordinates.
N50 43.E-(C+G) (F-G) (B-A)
W002 24. A (C-D) (B-G)
Checksum is 40
Congratulation to S+B for FTF!
If anybody would like to expand to this series please do. Iwould just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
There is also a Church Micro Stats page found via the Bookmark list.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre ynetr fgbar, orybj gur gerr.