The Church
The 1841 census for Pensilva - then known as Bodminland - showed that there were only two houses, both of them farms, in the area.
Shortly after this, the development of the rich mines on Caradon Hill and the surrounding area began and many shanty towns sprang up on the Hill to house the miners who came to work here. Local speculators and landowners built cottages on Silva Downs and rented them to miners and their families. Alongside this development came shops and pubs (Taphouses).
By 1874 the population of Bodminland had grown to over 2000 which was as big as many of the ancient Cornish towns at that time.
By the turn of the century the mines had all but ceased operation and only a few quarries survived and these were to close by the early 20th Century. Conscious of the need for spiritual guidance and support, Archdeacon Reginald Hobhouse of St Ive left some money in order that a Mission Church should be built in the village that was now known as Pensilva (The Head of Silva).
The church is unusual in that it is a sectional building of timber and corrugated iron, with a stone base and porch. Inside it is beautifully panelled in pine. It was purchased in London for £198 and brought to Pensilva by railway and then by wagon and horses.
Over subsequent years the village has changed its demographic profile and is now a dormitory village for Liskeard and home for retired people.
In 2006, Pensilva and the surrounding area including Caradon Hill were granted World Heritage Status.
The Cache
The headline coordinates will take you to the front of the church and from here you need to obtain the following information:
1. A= How many hinges on the front door of the church?
2. B = How many crosses on the top of the church?
3. C = How many windows in the side of the church facing the road?
4. There is a new electricity power pole just over the pavement wall at the eastern end of the church grounds. It has a number on it which is K0DD
Checksum for A+B+C+D = 13
The cache can be found at N 50 30.(A+B) (A+C) (D-B) W 004 24.(2xD) (C-B) A
The cache is a 420 m walk away but there is parking space at the GZ so a short drive is also possible.
The cache is a small plastic tube wrapped in camo tape - 10 cms long by 3 cms in diameter.
You may need tweezers to extract the log and Please Bring Your Own Pen (BYOP)
There are some outstanding views from the nearby drive gateway.