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Event Details
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Date: |
8th August 1999, Start Time 2:15pm |
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Location: |
The Wiremill, Newchapel, near Lingfield, Surrey |
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Organisers: |
Jenny & Roger Abbott |
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Walk Distance: |
3 miles (5 Km) |
Nat Grid Ref: TQ369419
From M25 Junction 6 (Godstone): Head south on A22 round Godstone. After about 6 miles cross B2028 (roundabout) then, very soon, pass Mormon Temple on right then (approx. 400 yards) turn left into Wiremill Lane. The Wiremill is at end of lane.
From Crawley head east on A264 towards East Grinstead. After Copthorne (Dukes Head roundabout), take B2028 (West Park Road) signposted to Lingfield. At Junction with A22 (roundabout) turn right then, after approx. 400 yards, turn left into Wiremill Lane. The Wiremill is at end of lane.
From South, head for East Grinstead. Take A22 north. After approx. 3 miles, turn right into Wiremill Lane. If you reach the Mormon Temple on left continue to roundabout and double back about 400 yards. The Wiremill is at end of lane.
Location Map:
Extracts from a brochure published by The Wiremill
The
Wiremill is situated near Lingfield in that corner of Surrey
that leaves East Grinstead in West Sussex and Edenbridge in Kent
both within 5 miles. Ideally situated just off the A22 road,
this connecting to junction 6 of the M25 motorway.
The Wiremill has had a colourful history
with wire and corn having both been worked here in the past with
varying degrees of success. 
There
have been times when neglect and disrepair meant that it has
stood abandoned. Following major renovations early in 1996 it
is today a country free house serving real ales, fine wines,
and home cooked food to stunning lakeside views. In 1998 the
hotel rooms have been totally reconstructed and we are able now
to offer accommodation for both guests and travellers.
Woodcock Hammer, as Wiremill was called
until the end of the 18th century, was built in 1573 reputedly
of timber from an old Man-O’War. The Hammer Pond was the
last of a chain of three, built near the source of the River
Medway where ore was prepared and then sent to Wiremill for making
into wire and nails. The nails for the original Saint Paul’s
cathedral were made here. Wiremill continued in this fashion
until around 1825 when it was converted to mill corn. 
However in 1912 it closed down and was sold with
the lake and some cottages for £2,000. In 1934 it was derelict
but changed hand again and was converted to an hotel. By 1962
it promoted itself as “The Lakeside Hotel, Country and Fishing
Club”.
The Wiremill is reputed to be haunted by the ghost of a worker who fell into the lower machinery. Many years ago the original wooden floor of the cellar was lifted and a pile of bones discovered beneath. Burnt into an oak beam, later unfortunately removed, was the inscription:
Here lies poor old Phil
With all his faults and failings,
We couldn’t get him through the joist
So we put him with the nailings.
STARTERS
Outside the pub (at road level) all
answers can be seen from the car park area.
| 1. | Driven about with the flow it be..... |
| 2. | .....Where all goings on it will see..... |
| 3. | ..... .....And a place for Mrs. T! |
STAGE I
Away from pub and left by white wooden
building through overflow car park. At end, continue along path,
through woods staying with main path, to road. Cross road and
turn right along pavement. Stage ends at footpath on left, just
past Markey’s Diner.
Note: The answer to Question 6 was missing
on the day.
| 4. | Bob on top |
| 5. |
Dress code demands no banality At the house of male vanity |
| 6. | Three days to pass |
STAGE II
Over stile on left then right along
side of field. At gate left along wheel tracks towards right
corner of field. At muddy tracks joining, turn right and follow
track between trees. Keep going ahead (several stiles, gates,
etc.) to road where stage ends.
| 7. |
Not that the opposition was inspired,
Our whole team was plainly tired |
| 8. |
Aim high and do not stop Pray, get to the top |
| 9. | Perhaps he imbibes liquid, maybe a Caledonian |
STAGE III
Turn right along road (walk right hand
side). After 100 yards take road on left (walk right hand side).
After 400 yards turn right at footpath sign (along tarmac drive).
Eventually pass house on right (keep to footpath!) then, at bend,
turn left over wooden bridge to stile where stage ends.
| 10. | Where McCoy trekked? |
| 11. |
Hopping on the bench Or just turning French |
| 12. | Entrancing pride? |
STAGE IV
Over stile and ahead up left hand side
of field. At gate and stile on left turn right across field to
footbridge over stream. Cross bridge then stile. Cross field
to stile in middle of hedge opposite. Over stile and ahead, with
hedge on right, to road where stage ends.
| 13. | American visas cancelled |
| 14. | Dance? - left, left, left left left |
| 15. |
Go with the flow 'E, row Sally row |
STAGE V
Cross road and turn left. 50 yards through/over
gate on right (no clues before here) then follow footpath between
high hedges. Then over stile and cross field to far left corner
and continue with fence on left, hedge on right. Eventually over
2 stiles and turn right along side of field. Then left (along
side of same field). At end, turn right (by animal pens) along
track which eventually passes between farm and industrial buildings
to main road, where stage ends.
| 16. |
Hadrian’s wall Subject to recall |
| 17. | Typing away? |
| 18. | Cracking good bats! |
STAGE VI
Cross road and take bridle path opposite.
Keep going on path, eventually cross bridge over stream and still
keep going ahead along path. Stage ends at double metal gates
across.
| 19. | 331/3 recorded works? |
| 20. |
No need to be grassed Final revolution broadcast |
| 21. |
Olympian throws a weight To secure public transport debate |
| 22. |
Back-handed trick given on rinks
Power players me thinks |
STAGE VII
Through gates, continue ahead along
concrete path approx. 70 yards, then right over stile and follow
path along right hand side of field. At end, over rickety stiles,
crossing track and continue ahead along path. Soon, turn right
over bridge at weir and continue to pub patio where walk ends.
| 23. | Rupert’s scandal |
| 24. |
Where the water rise To a cup B-size |
| 25. |
RA & JR would not agree To restrictions on you and me |
Guidance for parents:
The route and stages are the same as the adult route.
Questions g & h are aimed at 11 & 12 year olds. Question d should make 9 & 10 year olds think. The remainder should not present too much difficulty for 6 to 8 year olds.
Approach to busy roads is made at the end of stages 1, 2, 4 & 5. Otherwise the walk is mostly along open footpaths and across fields.
You will sometimes see deer to your left about 250 yards into stage 5.
THROUGHOUT THE WALK
| a. |
As you walk these three miles Upon which stage do you cross the most stiles? |
STARTER
The answer will be found on the white
building by the overflow car park. Route and all other stages
are the same as the adult walk.
| b. |
They will not allow Scooby-Doo And Scrappy will be chased out too! |
STAGE I
| c. |
A big puff turns it round Where there’s cooking it will be found |
STAGE II
| d. |
Sounds like a soft coat they wear
And a trunk up in the air! |
STAGE III
Please be careful walking along the
road. The clue is after you turn onto the tarmac driveway.
| e. |
They’ll make a noise if you go near
Tell me, who lives here |
STAGE IV
| f. |
Tell me who might Jump between red and white |
STAGE V
Please be careful walking along the
road. The clue is after you turn off the road.
Look out for some unusual animals on this
stage.
| g. |
They did not make any profit - that is
clear The people who built the barn right here |
STAGE VI
| h. |
You can’t get there, if that’s
your goal, A fishy place to slide and roll |
STAGE VII
| i. |
Stay on the footpath that is clear
Why must you keep off the weir? |
1. Water wheel on side of pub
2. CCTV camera in car park
3. “Impossible to Turn” on No Parking sign
4. Floats (or buoys) on lake
5. The Peacock public house
6. Eclipse (Security) notice on fence (Note total eclipse on
11th August - in 3 days time)
7. 11 sleepers used as bridge over stream
8. A spire
9. PHILMAC on water pipe by trough (initial letters)
10. Bones Lane (Dr. McCoy in Star Trek known as “Bones”)
11. Frogit (name plate)
12. Pair of stone lions at house entrance
13. “Trespassing Uncle Sam Closed” - painted on timber
frame in field
14. Red ball (float in trough)
15. Yellow arrows marking footpath (anagram)
16. “On hire from Caledonian Safemaker” - on side of
container
17. En Route Print - company name in works
18. Willow Technologies Ltd. - company name in works
19. Vinyl Arts - makers of sign (Caution, children playing)
20. Warning CCTV in use - sign
21. Abus Diskus padlock (with picture of Greek discus thrower)
22. Skinningrove (anagram) - makers name on pylon
23. Black Gate (Prince Rupert, the black prince; also “gate”
for scandal as in Watergate and derivatives)
24. Midbras - makers name on water stand pipe
25. No Public Access, No Fishing sign (RA = Ramblers Association
and freedom to roam campaign, JR = J.R. Hartley, fly fishing)
Young Walker Answers
a. Stage 2 (7 stiles)
b. “No dogs in this area” sign
c. Windmill (picture at Millers Kitchen)
d. Fir trees
e. Dogs (sign)
f. Horses (jumps set out with red and white flags)
g. Atcost (makers name on barn)
h. “Private. No entry to Skate Park” notice
i. Danger Deep Water - sign