Ampthill
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Masquerade and the Golden Hare
On the 7th August 1979 a golden hare jewel was buried in Ampthill Park by author and artist Kit Williams and television presenter Bamber Gascoigne. The site, close to Catherine's Cross, was chosen because the author had lived in nearby Steppingly and remembered visiting the park as a child.
Kit Williams then published a children's book 'Masquerade' which contained an elaborate system of clues and riddles to help readers find the treasure. Thousands of people took up the challenge from all around the world, but it took eighteen months for the hare to be discovered.
The finder, Ken Thomas, had been one of many people trying to find the hare, but its location only dawned on him by sheer accident while walking his dog in Ampthill Park.
The golden hare is commemorated as a decorative weathervane on the roof of Ampthill Library.
Sources:
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Newspaper articles from local and national
newspapers held in
Bedford
Central Library local studies collection
Masquerade and the Golden Hare, by Bedfordshire Libraries, 2004
Page last updated: 11th September 2008
