May 2012
Hollybank Woods, Emsworth, Hampshire.
Hampshire County Council was the first local authority in the UK to officially recognise geocaching as a great way of getting families and others out into the countryside, and also as a valuable educational resource.
Geocaching in Hollybank Woods.
Hollybank Woods now has its very own geocache!
Spring 2010.
The Friends of Hollybank Wood decided that they would like to create a new geocache to be called (surprise, surprise) 'The Hollybank Cache'.
Chris Bain (our Forestry Officer) and Rod Smith (our Geocache Warden) put their heads together, thought devious thoughts, then came up with a suitable hiding place 'somewhere in the woods'!
They have hidden a bright yellow ammunition box (roughly the size and shape of a shoe box), and now invite all comers to try and find it.
The box contains a paper log book and some low value items which are available to exchange (if you wish).
From time to time, the box will also contain 'trackable items' which are intended to be moved from one geocache to another, and not retained by the finder.
They can be identified by a special six digit 'serial number' which is engraved upon them.
'This is all very well', you say to yourself, but how do I know where to start looking? After all, Hollybank is a big area !
The first thing to do is visit www.geocaching.com and register with your own choice of name. This process is completely free and you do not have to give any personal information other than your e-mail address.
You can then go to
Hollybank's geocache details which gives you the location of the hidden container.
For this particular box, there is the added task of a little puzzle to do first.
This simply involves collecting information from around the woodland, and can be done by a six year old!
Geocaching is great fun for all age groups, and many families enjoy a regular weekend ramble to look for that elusive 'treasure chest'.
Geocaching in Hollybank Woods. (fisheye PHOTO: Chris Bond)
What is Geocaching?
Imagine a pastime which can be enjoyed by the whole family, and:
• gets you out into the fresh air.
• gets you walking either a long or a little way.
• introduces you to unusual/interesting/beautiful locations.
• often the kids will ask, ''Can we go for a walk today?''.
• is so much fun, you will want to go out for a walk too.
That is Geocaching !
Geocaching (pronounced geo-kash-ing) is a fairly new pastime which is all of those things, and more.
So how does it work?
A Geocacher will go to a location which has usually some special interest or beauty. At the location, they will hide a small waterproof box containing a few varied bits and pieces (usually of little value) a logbook and a pen or pencil. Using their GPS receiver, the cacher records the coordinates of their Geocache (often abbreviated to 'cache'), and returns home to log its existence on a website.
Another cacher will see the listing about the cache, enter the coordinates into their GPS receiver and go in search of it. When they find it, the finder may take something from the cache and leave something in return, and they always leave a record of their visit in the logbook.
When the seeker returns home, they log on the website that they have found the cache and record their comments. These logs are important to the cache hider, as it is part of their "reward" for hiding the cache.
What do you need to play the game?
A sense of fun and adventure, and a GPS receiver.
A GPS receiver (often referred to as simply a GPS) is a device which 'listens' to the signals broadcast from satellites orbiting the Earth. From those signals, a GPS is able to calculate its location on the planet to typically within about 5 metres. Once a GPS knows where it is, and where you want to go, it can lead you to your destination (just like a SatNav in a car). GPS receivers are available from around £60 in the UK, and a simple base model is sufficient for Geocaching.
Access to the Internet. Geocaches are listed on the www.geocaching.com website. This is where you find information about, and the coordinates for, the caches you will go hunting for.
A sense of adventure to go out and find places you might never have otherwise known about and see things which would have passed you by. Imagine sitting on a small hill watching two young foxes 'playing' together in the field below you while a Red Kite wheels and performs aerobatics over your head. .
A few bits and pieces to use as swaps in the caches you visit. There is no compulsion to swap anything, but often you will find an item of interest in a cache. It is only fair play that if you take something, you should leave something of equal value in exchange.
Rod Smith
Hollybank Woods Geocache Warden.
A word of warning;
Geocaching is surprisingly addictive!
You could soon find yourself spending hours on the Geocaching.com site, checking for new caches to go and find. Even a simple trip to Portsmouth will include a quick detour to look for that box near the Spinnaker Tower. This sport may take over your life, but it's worth it!
Some useful links to parts of the Geocaching.com website are given below.
Getting started in the game of Geocaching
Finding your first Geocache
How to log your Geocache find
Lots of useful information for newcomers
If you would like to find out some more about this rapidly growing sport, then why not contact:
Rod Smith
Tel: (02392) 453342
chrisrod@ntlworld.com.
Rod is always happy to offer help and advice, and has 5 Geocaches in Hollybank Woods. 4 are national ones, and the 5th is a new dedicated Hollybank cache.
For reasons of safety and security Hampshire County Council discourage geocaching during the hours of darkness.
Friends of Hollybank Woods
About and how to join:
The Friends of Hollybank Woods are a group of local residents who formed in the Spring of 2001 to promote the protection of Hollybank Woods. The wood is owned by Havant Borough Council and managed on its behalf by the Friends of Hollybank Woods who organise regular work parties and themed walks run by local naturalists. The group formed a management committee and undertake well planned conservation work in the woods for the benefit of both wildlife and people using the woods.
There are lots of opportunities to get involved, not just for those who want to do practical work. We need your support!
To receive a Membership Application pack and become a Friend, please contact the Friends of Hollybank Woods membership secretary. Membership costs £1.50 for an adult and £3.00 for a family. Under 16's free.
Anna Williams
Membership Secretary
Friends of Hollybank Woods
Hollybank House
Emsworth
PO10 7UN
Telephone Anna on (01243) 375502
You can email us too, contact details are on the Blog page.
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