|
BB2101 : Where's
the Point?
Wednesday
6th January 2021
No,
I am not referring to that of a needle injecting
the anti-dote to Corvid-19, though I
do look forward to a hopefully painless
encounter with one of those before too long. I refer
to Trig Points.
|
Brigadier
Martin Hotine
(1898–1968), head of the Trigonometrical
and Levelling Division of the
Ordnance Survey, was the man responsible for the design, planning and implementation of the re-triangulation of Great Britain on which OS maps are still based. He designed the iconic trig pillar still found on many hilltops and in the countryside across Great Britain.
When
all the trig points were in
place, it was possible, in clear
weather, to see at least two
other trig points from any one
trig point. Careful measurements
of the angles between the lines-of-sight
of the other trig points allowed
the construction of triangles which enabled a
highly accurate measurement
system that covered the entire
country.
Most
trig points are square, concrete
obelisks with a brass plate
having three arms and a central
depression on which to mount
a theodolite. A benchmark is
usually set on the side, marked
with the letters O S B M (Ordnance
Survey Bench Mark) and its reference
number.
|
Brigadier
Martin Hotine, CMG CBE
Painting
by L D Carmichael
|
Trig
Points have previously been used as BOOTboy
destination targets, the most recent and
most comprehensive being on BB2041
: Trigpointing.
Now
that Covid Tier 5 has been unleashed upon
us all, the Rule of 6 is reduced back to the Rule
of 2 if you dare and the Rule of Bubbles
if you don't dare. Several of us thought
discretion the better part. Accordingly
we decided to reprise the Trigpointing idea
for this week's adventure. There was
one condition (other than those imposed
by the Government)- the Trig Point(s) to
be visited must not be the same those that
the individual(s) visited on the previous
occasion. One other difference: rather
than attempting to have synchronicity of
arrival at the chosen trig points, the event
would be arranged so that destination and
timing would be at the absolute discretion of the individual
but must not be communicated to others.
That way there could be no accusation of
breaching the Rules even if there were to
be a chance encounter.
I
asked each participant to take a photo that
might help you identify their location.
Where do you think they were? All
will be revealed by the end of this report.
Don
& Margaret
By
total coincidence, (honest, Gove), we encountered
Mick and Mary emerging from a park. Naturally,
we said hello from a distance of which we
think the Minister would approve and then
went our separate ways.
Margaret
and I strolled up through the village then
turned left at the Church and climbed the
hill. Surprise, surprise- whom should
we see at the trig point near the summit
but, yes, Mick & Mary.
Unbeknownst
to us, they had chosen to do more or less
the same route in reverse.
Mick
& Mary
|
Mary
and I walked from home with
the trig point our objective.
We'd never been to this one
before and were slightly apprehensive,
since on our map there's no
right of way to the trig point.
We needn't have worried, a kind
man in a donkey jacket and rather
strange hat assured us it was
OK.
Our
route was through the Park and
then up a Lane to a Hall, then
a path through the woods to
the trig point. Here at the
summit was the donkey jacket
man and his wife that we had
encountered earlier.
The
view was wonderful, complemented
by the very fine stone view
finder.
Mick,
I'll have you know that mine
is NOT a donkey jacket but a
very fine multi-purpose Sympatex
short coat sold to me some 30
years ago by Kendal's finest
tailor, David Kerr. It
could be, of course, that you
are referring to someone else
whom you encountered. Don
|
Mike
B
Stan
& Joan
Tony
told me later that he was going to visit
the same place but wimped out as he was
"full of cold". Don
Stephen
Not
actually at a trig point but a location
worthy of one! Don
Philip
Ditto
but was it the same one? Don
Mike
T
Same
comment, same question. Don
Where's
The Point(s)?
So,
back to the Question. Where are the
points? Here are the answers:
- Don
& Margaret: Levens Park then
Heversham, climbing up behind the Church
to Heversham Head trig point
- Mick
& Mary: Walked from Natland, through Levens Park,
up Grievegate
Lane to Mabin Hall, then a path through the woods to the Heversham
Head trig point
- Mike
B: Gummers How trig point
- Stan
& Joan: Scout Scar trig point
- Stephen:
Helsington (no point)
- Philip:
Ditto, different time
- Mike
T: Ditto, different time
There
is one other Point that I was hoping to
visit. One that I have never visited,
nor I suspect have any of the BOOTboys.
I was told about it by David W, a
longtime BOOTboys
follower. However, circumstances intervened
so you'll have to wait to discover more
about it. No matter how much you ask
me "Where's the Point?" I
ain't gonna tell ya! I'll just give
you one clue. It's less than a mile
from Pendle Hill.
Don, Thursday 7th January 2021
|
