This year marks the 15th anniversary of the SideTracked Series since the first cache was placed by bikermel76 The First Ever SideTracked - Evesham.
The event location is on the Green in Westward Ho! close to the site of the old railway station.
There are several locations nearby where you can get food and drink. Benches are limited so you may need to bring something to sit on.
Westward Ho! Railway Station.
The old station in 1969. It was then used as a bus station.
Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway.
The line opened in stages between 1901 and 1908, but closed in 1917, having been requisitioned by the War Office
Westward Ho! Railway Station had two platforms of 320 feet length and one foot above rail level.
It had platform lighting, a passing loop of 8 chains allowing three coach trains to pass. There was a ticket office with waiting rooms and toilet, an 8-lever signal box and a 2-lever ground frame; a waiting room, refreshment room, bookstall, level crossing gates and a Concert Hall called the Station Hall.
A siding ran to the Westward Ho! Gas Works. It was controlled by a two-lever ground frame, which was released by a key attached to the Westward Ho! to Appledore section of the train staff.
The loop was signalled with up home and down home, but no starters. At first only a signal box was present, with a long unbroken fence running along the back of the platforms and no other buildings or lighting. The other station buildings and facilities were probably added about 1908. Crossing gates protected level crossings at both ends of the station.
The station was 4 miles and 55 chains from Bideford Quay. In an effort to entice the public onto their trains and provide shelter during inclement weather the company built a Concert or Reception Hall on the 'up' platform at in 1901–02; it was called the Station Hall. Performers such as the 'Jolly Dutch' and Clog Dancers performed in the Station Hall. It was an expensive undertaking costing £17 9s 7d in 1906, under the heading of 'Services of Minstrels' in the traffic expenses log.
The hall was built to attract local and tourist patronage and was fully licensed for music, dancing and the sale of alcohol. This hall was well built and still stood in 1980 as a 'Beer Garden'.