Note: The above co-ordinates are for the church car park and not the cache itself.

St Bartholomew, Farewell

Church History

Farewell lies approximately two miles north-west of Lichfield. The name, meaning ‘clear spring’ derives from the Anglo-Saxon name of ‘frager’ meaning ‘fair’ or ‘clear’ and ‘wiell’ meaning ‘spring’.

During the 12th century there was a religious house at Farewell. It was founded originally as a place for hermits or monks by Roger de Clinton, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry (1129 – 48). However by 1140 the church at Farewell, and other lands had been transferred to nuns. The nunnery was originally established as an abbey but was later recorded as a Benedictine priory.

The parish church of St. Bartholomew was entirely rebuilt in 1745, with the exception of the stone chancel. It was thought to be on the site of the chapel of the priory. During the rebuilding several earthenware vessels of varying sizes were found in the south wall. They were placed on their sides, the openings facing the inside of the church and all covered by a thin coat of plaster. The reason for their being there is unknown. The altar rails are 13th century as is the glass in the east window and the Miserere stalls. On the oak seats in the sanctuary, there are the carved initials ER or EH. ER, is probably a reference to the reign of Edward Regina or Elizabeth Regina. However, the initials could read EH. In that case, the initials would stand for Elizabeth Helshawe. Elizabeth was the last prioress at Farewell and went to the Benedictine priory at Nuneaton on the dissolution of the nunnery.

Church Micro Series

I have enjoyed a number of caches in this series in other parts of the country and was disappointed that Staffordshire had just three such caches (Kinver, Norton Canes and Leek) out of over 4000. Hopefully the caches that we place will encourage other Staffordshire-based CO's to contribute to the world's largest series. If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.

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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.

See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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The Cache

The cache is not in the church grounds.

It can be found at N 52 CH.(D+1)(E-5)(F-4) W 001 (G+1)H.(A+6)A(B+4)

where:

ABCD is the year on the green bench in the churchyard

According to the plaque on the outside of the church, Richard Brown died in the year 17EF aged GH