Congratulations to seven-year-old Braydon Wickson who is the first winner of our newly created treasure hunt aimed at engaging people in the history of Gainsborough.
So far more than 2000 free booklets have been collected for people to take part in our exciting treasure hunt since it was launched in April.
The Great Gainsborough Treasure Hunt is based on a legend that a casket of gold coins intended for Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite Rebellion was discovered on a ship at the port of Gainsborough in 1745. It was confiscated then never heard of again.
The challenge is to follow clues along the route from Marshall’s Yard down to the riverside path, writing down the answers which are then decoded to find the whereabouts of the treasure.
Braydon took part in the treasure hunt during the Easter Holidays with his mum Charlotte, their nextdoor neighbour and her two children.
Charlotte said: “All the children absolutely loved looking for the clues and the adults enjoyed it and learned a lot of things they didn’t know about Gainsborough’s past.”
Braydon goes to Hillcrest Academy and enjoys playing out on his scooter or playing indoors on his Xbox. He’s excited to spend the £30 High Street prize in one of the many shops available.
Don’t worry if you missed out on the monthly prize this time, there is still many opportunities to win for all those who manage to locate the hidden treasure they will be able to claim a small instant child-friendly prize. On top of this participants will be entered into a monthly draw for a £30 High Street voucher.
Townscape Heritage Activities Co-Ordinator at West Lindsey District Council, Theresa Workman, said:
“The treasure hunt has been phenomenally successful with over 2000 free booklets collected during the first month.
“The hunt takes you on a walk from the starting point in Marshall’s Yard to the riverside path, finding clues and solving puzzles along the way to find the location of the treasure.”
At the final location every child can claim an instant reward and enter the prize draw which will be drawn once every month until the hunt ends on 20 September.
The Treasure Hunt was funded by the National Lottery as part of Gainsborough’s Townscape Heritage Initiative. We would like to thank all players of the National Lottery without whom this funding would not be available. The Treasure Hunt was jointly funded by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Free booklets are still available at Wilko in Marshall’s Yard and at Gainsborough Library.
Visit our Townscape Heritage Initiative page for more details about this initiative