What is a 'Mardle'?
The Oxford dictionaries states, Mardle is:
· ` Chat, gossip; an instance of this.
English Regional, East Anglian (Verb)
· To gossip, chat; to pass time in this way.
Scottish (noun)
· A rabble; an unruly crowd, a group of hangers-on.”
Well I must say the Scottish noun may just say it all eh, me hearties!!
The unruly crowd this month comes to Haverhill, Suffolk as I thought it was about time I stepped up and organised an event. This is an opportunity to assemble other like minded Geocachers, both new and experienced, with numerous anecdotes to enlighten and laughs to have.
A little history on how Haverhill got its name - No other man connected with the town has ever had so much power. From a marauding Danish pirate Haver rose to conquer much of England and even defeat the noble Alfred the Great in battle. Haver was the son of one of the greatest Danish warriors, Ragnor Lodbrook and his Norwegian wife. His real name was Hjalmar but because of his mixed parentage the Danes nicknamed him Halfdane or Halver. When he arrived in England the men fighting him soon corrupted Halver to Haver, which meant he-goat, because of his beard and helmet. Haver came to England for the first time in 850AD with his father and brothers on a scavenging expedition, raiding a few coastal settlements and looting. He continued terrorising the coast for about fifteen years until in 866AD he settled in East Anglia and made peace with the people. After supplying himself and his relations from the land, Haver moved north and conquered Northumberland, his father being killed in the fighting. Returning south he found the East Anglicans had grown tired of their unwelcome visitors and had to fight to regain his position, killing King Edmund, now immortalised in Bury St. Edmunds, in 869AD. Not satisfied with the looting he managed to go across the sea where his fleet came unstuck in the Strangford Loch near Belfast and Haver was drowned.
Trade continued in Haverhill hence the hosts name The Flying Shuttle – who knows what Haverhill trade was and the family who are still connected to Haverhill.
The Flying Shuttle is hosting us, and if you require food please, place your order with them at the number below:
The Flying Shuttle, Three Counties Way, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 7FB | 01440 702 853
As it is a Monday it shouldn’t be too busy but I have been wrong before!!
There is ample parking available on site.
There are several caches nearby and in Haverhill set by a few cachers and their families. So enjoy!