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Today a new series for Geocaches was launched by Caring for God's Acre. The series is called 'Living Churchyard' and is for any churchyards that are managed in a way that's sensitive to wildlife.

 

The series page can be viewed here: http://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/index.php/geocaching.html

 

If you have any questions, please let me know. I'm also really interested in hearing from anyone who has any advice on how to make this series a success.

 

All the best,

Tim

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Going to overlap with the church micro series obviously. Your first cache looks very similar to a standard CM other other than the 'caring for gods acre' bit towards the end of the write up. Have to say that I'm not seeing the point and also who's doing the verification? If I set up a 'cfga' cache then who checks that I'm within bounds?

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Going to overlap with the church micro series obviously. Your first cache looks very similar to a standard CM other other than the 'caring for gods acre' bit towards the end of the write up. Have to say that I'm not seeing the point and also who's doing the verification? If I set up a 'cfga' cache then who checks that I'm within bounds?

 

Hi,

 

It's administered by CfGA. Their website will hold the master list and numbers are provided by them, as detailed in the link provided in the original post.

 

The point of it is to encourage cachers to visit churchyards that are managed for wildlife, whereas the Church Micro series is aimed at any Christian church whether or not they have a churchyard and regardless of how it is managed. We decided to try a new series so that Living Churchyards can be visited separately and enjoyed for what they are, rather than being swallowed up by the very successful Church Micro series with nobody understanding that they are managed in a special way.

 

Hopefully as the series expands people will begin to understand what it means to be a Living Churchyard and why it's important. If you'd like to know more about the scheme, there is plenty of information on the website I provided the link for.

 

Thanks,

Tim

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Is it because the lawnmower is broke?

 

Seriously though, its hard these days to think of something which hasnt already been done. I applaud you for the introduction of this twist on the CM series and I hope folks appreciate this subtle but important difference. Good luck with it.

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Is it because the lawnmower is broke?

 

Seriously though, its hard these days to think of something which hasnt already been done. I applaud you for the introduction of this twist on the CM series and I hope folks appreciate this subtle but important difference. Good luck with it.

 

I wish the series good luck but I can see the obvious clash with CM series.

Perhaps there will be a willingness to stop and smell the roses, rather than like the recent 110 CMs in a day brigade who must have spent a brief time, if at all admiring the church which the cache was promoting.

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Today a new series for Geocaches was launched by Caring for God's Acre. The series is called 'Living Churchyard' and is for any churchyards that are managed in a way that's sensitive to wildlife.

 

The series page can be viewed here: http://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/index.php/geocaching.html

 

If you have any questions, please let me know. I'm also really interested in hearing from anyone who has any advice on how to make this series a success.

 

All the best,

Tim

This project sounds a bit marginal to me - your web site is encouraging people to set caches specifically to attract visitors to their churchyard, and that isn't allowed by Groundspeak. Note the subtle difference between you setting a cache to bring others to a location you enjoy, and the promotion of the setting of caches by others for the primary purpose of attracting people to the cache setter's own locations.

 

It's also arguably a bit close to pressing an agenda - the Groundspeak guidelines state "Cache listings perceived to be posted for religious, political, charitable or social agendas are not permitted. Geocaching is intended to be an enjoyable, family-friendly hobby, not a platform for an agenda."

 

And, as a purely personal preference, while I understand your slightly different stance, it remains too similar to the current CM series.

 

Rgds, Andy

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It's also arguably a bit close to pressing an agenda - the Groundspeak guidelines state "Cache listings perceived to be posted for religious, political, charitable or social agendas are not permitted. Geocaching is intended to be an enjoyable, family-friendly hobby, not a platform for an agenda."

 

Personally I'd say there are no issues with the cache page, it presents historic facts about the Church, and encourages respectful visitors, to what is in essence a micro Nature Reserve. There is no promotion of Christianity on the page.

 

Also apart from the Publishing Reviewer, I counted 4 Reviewers who have found the cache, and had no issues with the page or the concept :laughing:

 

Plus many Church Micros, the CO's will not even attempt to obtain Permission to place the container within the Grounds of the Church, which the cache is actually Promoting. With this series, Permission will be obtained. And show, that asking for permission, for such locations is worth the effort.

 

Deci

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Today a new series for Geocaches was launched by Caring for God's Acre. The series is called 'Living Churchyard' and is for any churchyards that are managed in a way that's sensitive to wildlife.

 

I'm trying (and failing) to work out why this cache is being promoted as "Today ....."

When the cache has been active for the best part of 2 years.

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Today a new series for Geocaches was launched by Caring for God's Acre. The series is called 'Living Churchyard' and is for any churchyards that are managed in a way that's sensitive to wildlife.

 

I'm trying (and failing) to work out why this cache is being promoted as "Today ....."

When the cache has been active for the best part of 2 years.

Hi,

 

While this cache has been in place for a while now, the series has only just been created. I've added the 001 to our cache as the first in the new series.

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Today a new series for Geocaches was launched by Caring for God's Acre. The series is called 'Living Churchyard' and is for any churchyards that are managed in a way that's sensitive to wildlife.

 

I'm trying (and failing) to work out why this cache is being promoted as "Today ....."

When the cache has been active for the best part of 2 years.

 

Maybe he's seen "the light" and wants us all to experience the new found joy that is CfGA.

Seems a familiar ruse to me.

But sure beats the "come in for a personality test" method of yore.

Edited by JoLuc
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Today a new series for Geocaches was launched by Caring for God's Acre. The series is called 'Living Churchyard' and is for any churchyards that are managed in a way that's sensitive to wildlife.

 

I'm trying (and failing) to work out why this cache is being promoted as "Today ....."

When the cache has been active for the best part of 2 years.

 

Maybe he's seen "the light" and wants us all to experience the new found joy that is CfGA.

Seems a familiar ruse to me.

But sure beats the "come in for a personality test" method of yore.

 

I'm really surprised by the mean comments. I've always seen Geocachers as really nice and helpful people. All I was trying to do was get some advice on how to make a Geocaching series a success.

 

As I mentioned in a previous comment, while my cache has been around for a while the idea for there to be a series of caches is new. I have no affiliation with CfGA other than I think that they do good work helping volunteers wanting to manage churchyards for the benefit of wildlife. There's no religious component to that work - which is great for people like myself who don't follow any particular religion.

 

As I've not participated in a discussion on this forum before, I'm not sure what the 'familiar ruse' might be - but all I can say is that I'm a normal Geocacher trying to give back to Geocaching by adding new caches. I'm sorry if my original post was offensive to anyone.

 

Best wishes,

Tim

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Today a new series for Geocaches was launched by Caring for God's Acre. The series is called 'Living Churchyard' and is for any churchyards that are managed in a way that's sensitive to wildlife.

 

I'm trying (and failing) to work out why this cache is being promoted as "Today ....."

When the cache has been active for the best part of 2 years.

 

Maybe he's seen "the light" and wants us all to experience the new found joy that is CfGA.

Seems a familiar ruse to me.

But sure beats the "come in for a personality test" method of yore.

 

I'm really surprised by the mean comments. I've always seen Geocachers as really nice and helpful people. All I was trying to do was get some advice on how to make a Geocaching series a success.

 

As I mentioned in a previous comment, while my cache has been around for a while the idea for there to be a series of caches is new. I have no affiliation with CfGA other than I think that they do good work helping volunteers wanting to manage churchyards for the benefit of wildlife. There's no religious component to that work - which is great for people like myself who don't follow any particular religion.

 

As I've not participated in a discussion on this forum before, I'm not sure what the 'familiar ruse' might be - but all I can say is that I'm a normal Geocacher trying to give back to Geocaching by adding new caches. I'm sorry if my original post was offensive to anyone.

 

Best wishes,

Tim

Hello Tim.

You originally asked for advice on how to make your series a success. Why this has been taken as a green light to slate your idea and insinuate you have a hidden agenda is beyond me but unfortunately, this happens sometimes. Starting a thread on the Forum is usually an informative, helpful and sometimes witty method of communicating and most of us are nice, helpful people....honest.

Please don’t get ruffled about some of these comments, you have to take the replies warts and all I’m afraid. There has been some positives in there too, just filter out what you consider to be chaff :rolleyes: . I for 1 will make an effort to visit one of your caches if I am ever in the area :) .

Edited by thehoomer
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Today a new series for Geocaches was launched by Caring for God's Acre. The series is called 'Living Churchyard' and is for any churchyards that are managed in a way that's sensitive to wildlife.

 

I'm trying (and failing) to work out why this cache is being promoted as "Today ....."

When the cache has been active for the best part of 2 years.

 

Maybe he's seen "the light" and wants us all to experience the new found joy that is CfGA.

Seems a familiar ruse to me.

But sure beats the "come in for a personality test" method of yore.

 

I'm really surprised by the mean comments. I've always seen Geocachers as really nice and helpful people. All I was trying to do was get some advice on how to make a Geocaching series a success.

 

As I mentioned in a previous comment, while my cache has been around for a while the idea for there to be a series of caches is new. I have no affiliation with CfGA other than I think that they do good work helping volunteers wanting to manage churchyards for the benefit of wildlife. There's no religious component to that work - which is great for people like myself who don't follow any particular religion.

 

As I've not participated in a discussion on this forum before, I'm not sure what the 'familiar ruse' might be - but all I can say is that I'm a normal Geocacher trying to give back to Geocaching by adding new caches. I'm sorry if my original post was offensive to anyone.

 

Best wishes,

Tim

Hello Tim.

You originally asked for advice on how to make your series a success. Why this has been taken as a green light to slate your idea and insinuate you have a hidden agenda is beyond me but unfortunately, this happens sometimes. Starting a thread on the Forum is usually an informative, helpful and sometimes witty method of communicating and most of us are nice, helpful people....honest.

Please don’t get ruffled about some of these comments, you have to take the replies warts and all I’m afraid. There has been some positives in there too, just filter out what you consider to be chaff :rolleyes: . I for 1 will make an effort to visit one of your caches if I am ever in the area :) .

 

Hi,

 

Thank you so much for your nice comment. I was getting quite anxious about coming back to this forum, but you've made me realise that I should be focusing on the good comments I've received. Thanks for your support.

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Is it because the lawnmower is broke?

 

Seriously though, its hard these days to think of something which hasnt already been done. I applaud you for the introduction of this twist on the CM series and I hope folks appreciate this subtle but important difference. Good luck with it.

 

lol, yep quite often the lawn mower is broke!

 

Thank you for your supportive comment. I know it'll be quite a niche series, but hopefully there will be a few other in the series over time.

Edited by Brownburys
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It's also arguably a bit close to pressing an agenda - the Groundspeak guidelines state "Cache listings perceived to be posted for religious, political, charitable or social agendas are not permitted. Geocaching is intended to be an enjoyable, family-friendly hobby, not a platform for an agenda."

 

Personally I'd say there are no issues with the cache page, it presents historic facts about the Church, and encourages respectful visitors, to what is in essence a micro Nature Reserve. There is no promotion of Christianity on the page.

 

Also apart from the Publishing Reviewer, I counted 4 Reviewers who have found the cache, and had no issues with the page or the concept :laughing:

 

Plus many Church Micros, the CO's will not even attempt to obtain Permission to place the container within the Grounds of the Church, which the cache is actually Promoting. With this series, Permission will be obtained. And show, that asking for permission, for such locations is worth the effort.

 

Deci

 

Hi,

 

I hadn't realised that some of the CM caches don't obtain permission. Thanks for your comment. :)

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If you want to promote your idea of starting this new series of geocaches I would seriously suggest that you do so on one of the UK geocaching groups on facebook, e.g. Geocaching UK

 

Long gone are the days when dozens of UK & Ireland geocachers checked this Groundspeak forum daily for discussion and information on geocaching matters: Nearly all the chat/debate/moaning/help has moved over to facebook now.

 

I know there are a some people who dislike facebook and don't want to have anything to do with it... but... shrug.gif

 

MrsB

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I'd say a heavy majority of CM caches are NOT on church property to avoid the permission issues.

Makes sense to me.

Good Luck.

 

I agree with this. I recently tried to ask permission to hide a cache between a Grit Bin and the church boundary by sending the church minister an e-mail. That was nearly 6 weeks ago and I still don't have a response hence the reason why I hid the cache further away from the church to avoid permission issues.

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I'd say a heavy majority of CM caches are NOT on church property to avoid the permission issues.

Makes sense to me.

Good Luck.

 

I agree with this. I recently tried to ask permission to hide a cache between a Grit Bin and the church boundary by sending the church minister an e-mail. That was nearly 6 weeks ago and I still don't have a response hence the reason why I hid the cache further away from the church to avoid permission issues.

 

It can take the Woodland Trust, 6 - 8 weeks to process a Geocache placment request. And they know and support Geocaching.

 

The very first cache in Wales, and I believe the UK to gain Landowner Permission for a cache in a SSSI, took just over 6 months. And that eventually involved BHPBilliton the Landowner, CCW [now Natural Resources Wales] Flintshire and Denbighshire CC's Countryside Services, Enviroment Agency Wales, RSPB, Point of Ayr Holidays, Haven Holidays.

 

And ultimatly a Site inspection with a Officer from CCW.

 

The Minister might have had to take your request to the Parochial Council, for a decision

 

Did you make any attempt to recontact the Minister, after your initial email? It might have gone into the persons Spam Folder, or the Minister might have been away on a retreat or holiday, or off ill.

 

Personally I've found either direct contact, such as a telephone call, or speaking to the person on the phone. Alternitively a Letter, solicits the best chance of a reply.

 

Dave

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We made an appointment to see our 2 local vicars and they were very happy to have 3 of our caches in 3 of their churches. Face to face has been a successful approach in our neck of the woods at least.

 

Yes Mrs B, you are absolutely right, FB appears to be the place to be if you want to be heard. You can see the tumbleweed blowing across the screen on here these days.

I've no doubt, I will be forced to start going on there at some point :P .

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We made an appointment to see our 2 local vicars and they were very happy to have 3 of our caches in 3 of their churches. Face to face has been a successful approach in our neck of the woods at least.

I've been granted permission to place caches in the churchyard on about 50% of those I've asked for.

 

Agreed with all of the points made - letter is better than email, and phone is better than letter. Face to face too, of course, but in my case that's only been after initial contact.

 

And yes, it can take a long time, up to 6 months in my case. But always been worth the wait.

 

Personally, if it's a traditional church with a churchyard, I'd aim for something more ambitious than a grit bin, though quite often more modern churches have less scope.

 

Rgds, Andy

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It's nice to see that the God's Acre concept has been continued, as the original is falling into disrepair after all these years.

 

I have to agree that it rather treads on the toes of the Church Micro series, and it's perhaps lucky that Church Micros have tended to be placed away from churchyards due to the discouragement of placing within the grounds of the church. With my CMs I didn't even consider placing them within the boundary of the church as I got the strong impression that such placements were frowned upon, even with the permission of the local clergy.

 

We've had many people saying that churchyard caches are inappropriate and although I disagree with that it doesn't seem worth the trouble. So I won't be contributing to this series, but I'd like to say that I think it's a great idea and hope it does well.

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We've had many people saying that churchyard caches are inappropriate and although I disagree with that it doesn't seem worth the trouble.

I'm not sure where that idea came from - half of mine are in churchyards and I've only ever had positive feedback about that. I think the main reason that most aren't is simply that many people can't be bothered to ask for permission.

 

As far as the churches themselves are concerned, I've had a small number of polite refusals, a couple of polite acceptances, and a couple of enthusiastic "yes please" responses.

 

Rgds, Andy

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If you want to promote your idea of starting this new series of geocaches I would seriously suggest that you do so on one of the UK geocaching groups on facebook, e.g. Geocaching UK

 

Long gone are the days when dozens of UK & Ireland geocachers checked this Groundspeak forum daily for discussion and information on geocaching matters: Nearly all the chat/debate/moaning/help has moved over to facebook now.

 

I know there are a some people who dislike facebook and don't want to have anything to do with it... but... shrug.gif

 

MrsB

 

Hi MrsB,

 

That's a good point and a good idea. Thanks :)

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