This is a (multi) replacement for the (trad) cache GC30ZTX which used to be at this Church, but which has now been archived.
St Martin's Church is a focal point in the "village" of Ruislip, and is also the base for many community activities, including a local history society and a poetry group. It is often open, and if it is when you visit, do feel welcome to go inside and look around. There is free road parking in St Martin's Approach opposite the church, or a pay and display car park can be accessed from that road. Buses frequent the High Street, and Ruislip underground station (Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines) is only 10 minutes walk away.
A church has been on this site for @1000 years. A Norman lord, Ernulf de Hesdin, granted the manor of Ruislip and probably its church to the Benedictine monks of Le Bec-Hellouin in 1087. Officials administering this alien priory’s English lands had a small chapel at Manor Farm. Bec’s prestige and a population increase apparently caused the church’s enlargement, but later heavy taxation of alien priories brought about disrepair and confiscation. By 1422, John, Duke of Bedford, granted the church’s income to the Dean and Canons of Windsor, who continue to appoint the vicar.
Medieval features survive, notably wall-paintings, two piscinas, a priest’s door and two wooden chests. 15C expansion included a north vestry (demolished) and a tower with later bell-chamber currently housing eight bells and a 19C clock. There are 15C and 16C references to chantry priests. Furnishings include monumental brasses, linenfold panelling, 17C pulpit and livery cupboard, wall monuments and funeral hatchments. The stained glass windows are of 19C and 20C.
Around 1870, Sir Gilbert Scott and Ewan Christian restored the church. A west porch and two lych-gates were added, followed by a 20C vestry, sacristy and hall. The larger former parish is now sub-divided.
To find the cache, we take you on a short tour from the published co-ordinates at the lych-gate on Eastcote Road, along concrete pathways through the church yard to the other entrance/lych-gate on the High Street. All answers to the questions can be found without leaving the path. It is level access throughout and there is no need to go up any steps or ramps. The final (and route to it) is accessible from a wheelchair.
Stage 1 : Standing under the lych-gate at the published coordinates facing the church, look up at the engraving on the wooden beam starting "Come Ye ....". How many letters in the last word on the second line = A
Stage 2 : Walk along the path towards the church and turn left up the side path to the (closed off) door on the North side. Look up at the stone plaque. How much did Elizabeth Rogers bequeath = £BCD
Stage 3 : Return to the main path and look for a bench - At the heart of ORCHYD FROM 19EF - 2017
Stage 4 : Continue along, to the main entrance to the church. The outer doors are wooden double doors. How many windows in ONE door = G
Stage 5 : Turn around and head to the west wooden gated entrance this time, which leads out of the churchyard onto the High Street. Once you are on the street side of this lych-gate, turn around and look up at the red sign on the wooden beam above the gate. Number of words on the top line = H
Now calculate the final which can be found at :
N51 34 . ( ( B + E + G ) * H * 10 ) + A + F
W000 25 . ( ( C * F * B ) + H + D ) * F
The check sum of all the numbers in the final co-ordinates added together is 46
The cache is only a short walk away.
--- FTF Congratulations to HHHP20 and Smokeypugs ---
**************************************
For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.co.uk.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
*************************************