Pirates of the Lea Valley

Is a District Cub Camp which is to be held in June 2006.  Details of the Camp are being sent to the Leaders of all Seven Cub Packs in the Lea Valley.

Between now and June a series of stories and treasure clues will be published on this web site...

  
     
  The Treasure Map  
  We found this treasure map when clearing out an old Scout Hut for refurbishment. It wasn't really lost, it was just that none of the leaders from the group that found it had survived long enough to say where they had hidden it. It's a cursed map, as all pirate maps tend to be these days.   
 

 
  The map was badly damaged, mostly after we'd scanned it in and used Microsoft Paint on it, but we have managed to get a good enough image from what was left. You'll be glad to know that this picture of the map isn't cursed, so you can view it safely.

Some details are missing, however we know it's an island and we can just make out a Church on the western shore. The X that marked the spot where the treasure is hidden has been removed for safe keeping.

 

  
  The legend of the Pirates of The Lea Valley

It was a time before history kept a record of itself, a time of great upheaval, the year was 1986.

The sea's of Bedfordshire were not a safe place for any sailor. Despite great efforts, Pirates were still looting coastal villages and towns. The worst offenders were those who called themselves "The Pirates of the Lea Valley". No one was safe, no treasure too small, and no treasure too large.

The leader of this band of pirates was none other than D.C., no one was sure what the initials stood for, all they knew was that he was the best pirate leader they had had for years. D.C.'s flagship, the Rotten Scoundrel, was a beauty, although it leaked and had planks of wood hanging off, it was the fastest ship on these sea’s. It was so fast that even when it's keel was full of salt water and plundered gold, it could out run every other vessel. Which was extremely useful for our pirates!

It was June, a typical summer day for Bedfordshire. It was pouring with rain and the wind was blowing so hard you could just about stand up, anything that wasn't tied down was being blow around. The Rotten Scoundrel had a full set of sails unfurled and was heading towards an island. It was D.C.’s favourite bounty hiding island, and he had to get there fast. Our crew of pirates had managed to plunder a Spanish Gold Ship and were being chased by 5 mighty ships of the Spanish Guards. Even though the Rotten Scoundrel was quick, the chase was on. In order for D.C. and his band of pirates to keep this treasure they had to get it buried and get back aboard the Rotten Scoundrel before the Spanish Guards caught up. Luckily, the summer weather was on hand to help.

Approaching the Island from the North, D.C. knew that he would need time, there was no point heading for the Northern Beach. He ordered his helmsman to sail around the island, and towards the rocks and reefs. He knew the sea shore around this island was difficult to navigate without accurate maps. The Spanish Guard wouldn’t know of all the perils, but they would find out if they weren’t careful navigating.

The pirate crew, on D.C.’s orders, took in the main sail, it was easier to pilot the Scoundrel when she wasn’t under full sail, and as they approached the rocks and reef’s surrounding the island the helmsman needed to be in full control and not run the risk of running his leaders ship onto the rocks or worse stranding them on a sand bank so the Spanish could catch them... 

To Be Continued...