Author Topic: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK  (Read 1129 times)

Offline walktall

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Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« on: June 11, 2016, 10:56:31 am »
The UK reviewing team recently had a meeting where several topics were discussed. This has resulted in changes to various matters of cache placement and events in the UK as follows:

Placing of caches in Culverts, Mines, Adits, Caves and Underground Quarries.

There have been issues with disturbing bats which frequently roost in some of these locations. It was decided there would be no restrictions on placing caches in these locations but to avoid any issues cache owners would be asked to show they have permission from the relevant landowner.
Please note that caches in culverts under roads managed by Highways England and in culverts under railway lines (Network Rail) will not be allowed. Both these organisations have made this request and it's explained in the UK Geocaching Polices Wiki: Highways England - Network Rail.

Event stacking
This phrase refers to holding multiple events that are close to each other or at similar times. Events are social gatherings of geocachers and having too many too close to each other diminishes their value to the community. Events are not just an excuse to get a 'smiley'. In the future, if an event is submitted and another event is either already published or also waiting review and they are too close to each other then the following guidance will apply:
Events will be published within a similar time period only if they are more than 20 miles apart (as the crow flies). Events closer to each other than 20 miles will only be published if the end time of the first is more 10 hours before the start time of the next. In London which is a popular tourist destination and where many events get submitted it was decided the distance would be a 3 mile circle around Trafalgar Square rather than 20 miles. The time restriction of 10 hours will still apply. Anywhere else in London the 20 mile/10 hour guideance will apply.

Camping events
Camping is a very popular activity among geocachers and long weekend camping trips particularly so. It’s becoming common to have a lot of geocaching events during these 2 or 3 days. This does diminish the value of events as social gatherings as it's usually the same people attending each time. The event guidelines say this:

An event is a gathering of geocachers, facilitating the social aspect of geocaching. It is organized by geocachers and is open to other geocachers and those interested in learning about the game. It takes place at the posted coordinates, includes start and end times, and lasts at least 30 minutes. Events with several elements, a sequence of events, or events that are near the same time or location and intended for the same audience should be submitted as a single event.

Therefore in the future only one event will be allowed during a camping "long weekend". This event must be on a specific day with a start and finish time. If the camp site is closed to visitors; that is you can only get on the camp site if you are camping then this event must be open to all geocachers so needs to be held off the camp site.


Chris
Graculus
Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com


Here's the link to the forum discussing these changes that only affect the UK:
Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
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Offline Griff Grof

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What are people's thoughts on the event stacking aspect?

I think it's a good idea in theory as events were becoming too common.

BUT there seems to be little consideration for souvenirs, Leap Day events, etc etc which will really restrict things.

I think the rule should be lifted at such times.

I think the GAGB are going to reach out to the community to gather their opinions, so if action is taken I'll post details here about how you can have your say in reaching a solution to satisfy all parties (those who are annoyed, those who don't care and reviewers)
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Offline walktall

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In general, as long a reviewers have their sensible hat on, it should work OK.

I say sensible hat because there are certain situations like: flash mob, CITO and other HQ promoted special days were the 20 miles/10 hour rule would cause issues.


The other is geographical situations were the 20 miles/10 hour rule doesn't work, e.g. Lynmouth, England & Porthcawl, Wales - under 18 miles apart as the crow flies but over 130 miles apart by road :o or North Berwick & Earlsferry under 10 miles apart but about 75 miles by road :o
« Last Edit: June 17, 2016, 10:24:08 pm by walktall »
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Offline Yorkshire Yellow

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Re: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2016, 05:31:25 pm »
Or opposite sides of the River Severn.
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Offline Gackt

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Re: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2017, 09:24:44 pm »
The UK reviewing team recently had a meeting where several topics were discussed. This has resulted in changes to various matters of cache placement and events in the UK as follows:

Placing of caches in Culverts, Mines, Adits, Caves and Underground Quarries.

There have been issues with disturbing bats which frequently roost in some of these locations. It was decided there would be no restrictions on placing caches in these locations but to avoid any issues cache owners would be asked to show they have permission from the relevant landowner.
Please note that caches in culverts under roads managed by Highways England and in culverts under railway lines (Network Rail) will not be allowed. Both these organisations have made this request and it's explained in the UK Geocaching Polices Wiki: Highways England - Network Rail.
For anyone who was on the twitter hour last night, this is what I was looking for. I knew I had read something somewhere about new guidelines of placing caches underground. But is this still valid? I can't see it on the GC.com website now, unless I am looking in the wrong place.

I physically placed a new cave cache in the early hours of this morning. But am now working on obtaining permission. Leckhampton area, if anyone has experience getting permission. I will give it a month of trying. If I succeed it could mean the possible placement of another couple in the area at a later date. If not, then it will mean me heading back to TC or OC.uk again.

Offline Bear and Ragged

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Re: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2017, 08:37:29 pm »
For anyone who was on the twitter hour last night, this is what I was looking for. I knew I had read something somewhere about new guidelines of placing caches underground.

But is this still valid? I can't see it on the GC.com website now, unless I am looking in the wrong place.

I physically placed a new cave cache in the early hours of this morning. But am now working on obtaining permission. Leckhampton area, if anyone has experience getting permission. I will give it a month of trying. If I succeed it could mean the possible placement of another couple in the area at a later date. If not, then it will mean me heading back to TC or OC.uk again.

Probably not on the GC site, it will be one of those guidelines covered by "Other/local laws/guidelines" and explained in the Wiki page for the UK...

(Although, the not disturbing bats in caves has been used by Reviewers in the US for a while, as there is a bat 'sickness' around in the US)
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Offline Gackt

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Re: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2017, 08:11:04 pm »
I had given up on getting permission for a Groundspeak cache, so the box became a non-GC cache that will probably hardly ever be found. Today, out of the blue, I have received an email that grants me permission to place. I can't tell you how happy I am  :)

A trip to place another box will take place shortly. A tight slithery route under central Gloucestershire. No nasty climbs. No steep drops, I don't do heights (walktall shhh about the less than 3m drop into a well.. and yes I still need to log that one), but so pleased I will be able to take people to somewhere I am almost certain they have not been before.

Lookout for a 5/5 coming soon.

Offline tarmacjohn

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Re: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2017, 07:50:14 pm »
Looking forward to it.  ;D

Offline walktall

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Re: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« Reply #8 on: October 21, 2017, 01:33:49 pm »
Sounds interesting :)
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Offline JimJinks

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Re: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2017, 05:08:44 pm »
https://coord.info/GC7DVVZ

Instructions decoded but too far away for me.
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Offline Gackt

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Re: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« Reply #10 on: October 27, 2017, 07:47:02 am »
Decided to not go the full 5/5, probably disappointing a few. But for safety reasons thought that was best plus opens up to more caches.

Cache submission took a little more effort than I thought it would, more rules since last time I submitted a mystery, but the reviewer was very helpful.

Offline tarmacjohn

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Re: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2017, 03:04:54 pm »
I'm a bit stumped at the moment, found some hidden info but don't know what to do with it.

Puzzle caches aren't my forte  ???

Offline walktall

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Re: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« Reply #12 on: October 29, 2017, 09:27:39 am »
It was dark inside  ::)

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Offline tarmacjohn

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Re: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« Reply #13 on: October 30, 2017, 07:45:10 pm »
I'm a bit stumped at the moment, found some hidden info but don't know what to do with it.

Puzzle caches aren't my forte  ???

I remember why I don't like puzzle caches. Got it all now apart from the parking

Offline walktall

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Re: Changes to the placing of caches/events in the UK
« Reply #14 on: November 02, 2017, 10:46:49 am »
I remember why I don't like puzzle caches. Got it all now apart from the parking

Have a look at an OS map, with the co-ordinates you've worked out :)
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