We have no new caches or Ad Labs to report since our last post, but hopefully there will be some new caches published before our next post!

Event Reminders

GCAXW19 CITO 2024 Season 2, Let’s Plant Trees! by 9 Usual Suspects
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle
When: Sunday 6th October, 2024
Time: 2.00pm-4.30pm
For this CITO we will not be picking up litter, but we will be planting a variety of native tree seeds to grow until they are large enough to plant in our local shared spaces next autumn. Our area has been hit very hard with the ash die back virus, the loss of these beautiful ash trees is changing our landscape and woodlands. Our aim is to replace these lost trees with a variety of trees that are resistant to this virus.

We ask all attendees while out and about geocaching to collect a few seed/berries to bring to this event. We will be supplying compost, pots etc. By attending this event you will earn CITO Season 2 Souvenir for 2024.

GCAWCCH London Calling on Tour: Caernarfon by goldpot Event D1/T1
When: Tuesday 8th October 2024
Where: Tafarn Y Porth (Wetherspoons)
Time: 4-4.30pm
Meet a London Calling committee member, goldpot, at an informal caching event to chat about all things geocaching and promote the Block Party event in London in 2025.

Event Review

GCAX1YV 9 Usual Suspects Visit Harlech Castle by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1.5

During September, more than 200 of Wales’ historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems were open to visitors free of entry charges as part of Open Doors – Wales. Funded and organised by Cadw the ‘open doors’ ranged from castles, grand houses, churches to smaller less well known historic sites several of these which were not normally open to the public.

We took the opportunity of free entry and guided tour to host an event at Harlech Castle.

A Brief History

Harlech Castle is a concentric castle built between 1283 and 1290 as part of Edward 1’s Iron Ring of Castles. Taking only seven years to complete at a cost of £8,190 it was one of Edwards cheapest castles. It’s location on a near vertical cliff face made it impregnable from almost every angle. When it was first built a channel connected the castle to the sea and was accessible by a long stairway, this allowed supplies to be delivered when the castle was besieged. Harlech Castle was established with a garrison of just 36 men: a constable, 30 men, including 10 crossbowmen, a chaplain, a smith, carpenter and stonemason.

Reconstruction of the castle in the early 14th century

At the end of 1404, the castle fell to Owain Glyndŵr becoming his residence, family home and military headquarters for four years.
The castle also endured a seven-year siege during the Wars of the Roses. This is the longest siege in British history. It is said that the beautiful tune ‘Men of Harlech’ was composed during this siege.
In 1986, Edward’s castles in Wales were together designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our Event

We met in the castle carpark and was very surprised by the number of attendees as the weather forecast was awful. The locals were joined by attendees from Germany and South Wales, it is alway nice to have visitors. After the normal admin, geochat and TB swapping we all headed into the castle for the tour and to explore some of the not so public areas! Luckily the rain just about held off until after the event and the tour. We can highly recommend visiting the castle and taking the guided tour, our guide Sian was excellent.

A few photos from our day: