Mega 2013 - Take Flight with your Hat on!
Where:
Hatton Arms
Birmingham Road,
Hatton,
Warwickshire,
CV35 7JJ
When:
Tuesday 30th July
12pm - 3pm
Join the 2013 UK Mega Committee at the Hatton Arms pub for a chat and a bite to eat, followed by a family friendly afternoon walk down the flight of 21 locks at Hatton, towards the historic town of Warwick.
The Hatton Locks were opened in December 1799 on what was then the Warwick and Birmingham Canal, later rebranded the Grand Union Canal. In the 1930s the need for very wide boats led to the flight needing to be widened – using a revolutionary new concrete lock technique - to carry coal, sugar, tea and spices up the flight. Many hundreds of “navvies” were used to complete the work at a time of depression in the country, providing up to a thousand much needed jobs.
The flight was known by boat workers as the "stairway to heaven" due to the difficulty of the flight and the subsequent easier journey to Camp Hill where the working boatmen would receive their wages! There are 21 locks in total rising a total of 144 feet (45 metres) in 2 ½ miles (4 km) and it takes a narrow boat user half a day to pass through, either travelling up or down them. Beside the new locks the old narrow brick built locks can still be seen. At Middle Lock you can stand on top of the old narrow lock that has been filled in and admire the spectacular views up and down the canal.
The Hatton Arms has kindly offered to host us – they have a very large grassy hill overlooking the flight, and if it’s sunny they’ll put a barbeque on for us to enjoy! This is where the event is being held and those present will be able to sign the event logbook. There are alternatives nearby to eat if you prefer – a café is just two locks up the flight, or bring your own picnic and sit by the locks.
To claim your find all you need do is arrive at the co-ordinates in the Hatton Arms and sign the log book. Why not make it a bit more exciting and walk to the venue?
Sharant, the hosts, will start the day at Warwick Station at around 10:30am and catch a train to Hatton Station and walk to the venue from there. Have a look for us in our Mega 2013 Gear at the station entrance.
For the braver amongst us you can extend your walk by starting your walk at another station, e.g. Lapworth (7 miles) or even Olton (15 miles). If you wish to join other cachers on an extended walk, why not consider posting your plans on our Groundspeak forum indicating the numbers of adults/children in your party, and your selected route?
Click here for the Chiltern Railways train timetables which are subject to change but we will publish the up to date timetable nearer the event day. We’ll post a summary timetable in the forums to help you plan your walk as well as getting back to your car, tent, or home!
At about 3pm the event will close, and many of us will explore the flight of locks and walk the three miles down the flight on into Warwick Town, which has many attractions, and more than a few caches. We will walk at a friendly, leisurely pace and dogs are welcome to join us but must remain on leads.
It must be stressed that everyone partaking in the walk is responsible for their own safety. It is not a guided walk, just a group walking together on established tow paths and roads.
This event is hosted by sharant