Today being Sunday, 1st December 2013, I had posted on the various websites that my intention was to activate Greenhalgh Castle G-531 near the town of Garstang, just of the A6 and south of the City of Lancaster in Lancashire.
Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby had the castle built in 1490 to provide defence for his estates around Garstang. The land on which the castle was built is said to be a gift to Stanley from his stepson Henry Tudor for his assistance in defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field.
During the English Civil War the castle was garrisoned by James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby in support of Charles I. It was one of the last two Royalist strongholds in Lancashire to succumb following a bitter siege during 1644/45 by Oliver Cromwell's forces. The garrison at Greenhalgh Castle eventually surrendered in May 1645 provisional on their being granted safe conduct to return to their homes unharmed. Thereafter, demolition teams partially destroyed the castle to ensure that it could not be used again for military purposes. Following continued deterioration of the ruins, the only remain of the original four towers is the lower portion of one. Many of the local farmhouses have incorporated the stones from the castle ruins into their buildings.
Okay. Up with the lark and carried out the normal packing of the car to include not only the radio essentials but also butties/flask/XYL and Mia the puppy.
Soon on the way out of Cleveleys heading northeast towards the A6 and then north to Garstang where we arrived at the main car park. Parked up right next to the bend in the river with good views to the castle two fields away. For those not familiar with this castle, unfortunately the lane leading to the castle is single lane width and private as you approach the castle so vehicle access cannot be achieved legally, hence, the car park location.
This was to be the start of my winter CASHOTA activation period ,but, also a dog walking session and a walk around the town main street that the xyl could take in the shops, therefore, the intention was to qualify with the ten required contacts only in order to carry out the other two activities.
Set up the ProWhip vertical along with the FT-857 (photos in the photo album gallery) and started on 40M working the following stations:
7.156 M5STC 58 59 Steve Rotherham
7.166 GCBRS 53 58 James Barry ARS
7.141 G0EPU 58 59 Cyril Maltby
7.141 G3WRI 52 59+ Paul Kendal
7.141 GI1ANG 59 59 Oliver Newry
7.152 M0WHW 58 58 Horace Wolverhampton
7.177 G1YPG 59+ 59+ Steve Stone
7.134 OK1RZ 58 58 Rosva
7.181 GB4RWC 57 58
7.157 G2KF 58 59+ Trev Delabole
I also changed over to 2M FM in order to work Brian M0OYG, Jen M6MIJ & Nathan 2E0OCC of the CASHOTA NorthWest England Group shopping in the Xmas Marked in the nearby town of Great Eccleston but unfortunately no contact made due I think to the landscape and Brian etc on handheld only.
Now completed seventeen CASHOTA activations with eight to complete over the winter period.
A big thanks to all stations worked.
73's
Ian 2E0EDX
www.cqportable.webs.com
CASHOTA Northwest England Group
