The earliest written record of Langford that we have found is in
the Domesday Book (1086) which records it as 'Langheforda'.
Langford was established around the point where an ancient road
crosses the River Blackwater and from this, the name Langford (long
ford) has derived. While the Romans were roaming, there was a
significant port within easy walking distance at the junction of
the rivers Chelmer and Blackwater.
In 1929 Langford became an important site for the purification
and pumping of water by the Southend Waterworks Company. The same
essential service is now carried out by Essex and Suffolk Water,
still using much the same site but greatly changed and utilizing
modern technology and equipment.
Until 1945, 96% of the Southend Company's water requirement was
pumped from Langford. However, the Langford Steam Pumping Station
could not supply enough water to meet the ever-increasing demand
and in 1964 the decision was taken to scrap two of the big engine
and pump sets, and the boilers. Fortunately one of the engines and
its pump set was preserved. The buildings and engine became
Scheduled Ancient Monuments in 1986. The Museum of Power, as it is
now known, came to Langford in 1996 and is centered in and around
the Steam Pumping Station.
St. Giles Church: The western apse is perhaps the most
interesting feature of St. Giles and is certainly unique in Britain
and rare in Europe. Normally the apse would be at the east end but
this church originally had one at each end, which was only a common
feature of German churches. This church was heavily restored in
1880-2 by Edward Browning and looks entirely of that period when
first viewed. However, on close inspection you can see the evidence
of the Norman church in the apse. In the 14th or 15th Century the
eastern apse was pulled down and a square extension was added to
the Chancel
To find the cache you need to find a few simple clues
There is a memorial with four plaques of writing.
On the Panel ‘Killed in Action’ –
How many letters make up Mr Thompson’s Christian name? =A
How many letters make up Stanley’s surname? =C
How many letters make up Edwards surname plus add one = F
On the western Apse of the church is a historical information
sign
How many letters make up the second word on the second line =
B
How many letters make up the second word on the third line =
D
How many rows of text on the sign plus one = E
The cache is located at
North 51 44.ABC
East 000 39.DEF
The cache is a small black magnetic container.
For those of you who also like a walk – as a bonus for doing
this cache, you will also find the co-ordinates
for
Really Sidetracked - Langford GC1VT67 on the back of the Log
Book.
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If anybody would like to expand on this series please do so. Could
you please let sadexploration know first so he can keep track of
the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
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