The updates - new boxes

Has anyone else noticed the lack of new boxes in the updates, what do you think the reason is for this ?

1) The good old British weather?

2) Something else?

I think it's just that time of year. Many regular boxers are putting out their charity walks ready for the meet. I really don't think it's anything to worry about.

i think after the meet in novembers/decembers updates there might be more activity with new boxes going out, as people are up on the moor for the meet weekend so they might put some boxes out.. I have one going out on ???????? tor, so ill hopefully put this out on the saturday or sunday before the meet and pass the clues on by WOM then put them in the update in December for everyone else to get..

I've just heard this evening that all of the William Crossings stamps that I put out and that were in the update this month have been stolen. The thieving seems to be at an increase at the moment. If this continues, people won't be putting clues in the catalogue and sadly I feel the catalogue will get smaller and smaller which is so sad after all the efforts everyone puts in.

I hate to say this but...

The letterboxing as we know it is coming to an end - it seems there is a vendetta against the letterboxer and areas are being swept clean of boxes. Boxing as we used to know it is coming to an end.
I can understand why this is happening and someone out there is getting the updates and making use of them. I don't believe for one second that this information is being used just by one person but several.
My reasons for understanding why this is happening... letterboxing does cause a lot of damage to the moor, especially around well used sites, with all the wet weather we have had damage is taking a a lot longer to recover from the trampling of feet.

I suspect the person(s) who is doing this experienced something I did when the foot and mouth restrictions were lifted, and they found what can only be described as a pristine moorland with no damage and it was beautiful to experience. It was like walking on virgin territory.
There is another reason why this could be happening and that is because the farmers on the moor are getting fed up with irresponsible townies and the like disturbing their livestock and are arranging it between themselves to remove all this litter (which is what a letterbox technically is) and the amount of real litter that is being dumped on the moor by the same irresponsible townies.

As for a solution, I really dont know what it could be. But one has to be the end of emailed updates as an email is somewhat anonymous and has no postal address attached to it. It has been noticeable that the amount of thefts has increased since the email updates have been available.
With the info being electronic - it means it can be put into a GPS without much effort and it leads the thief straight to the box
A 10 figure reference might look good but also guides the theif straight to the box without the use of a compass. In times gone by it used to take me a good 20 minutes to find a box with bearings now it takes me seconds.

If you are going to put out a box leave it as a 6 figure reference let those who put it out keep a 10 figure reference so they can find it again. but let the punters have a 6 figure reference.
I am sure genuine letterboxers will not complain that the references are back to 6 figure references and I will guarantee the number of stolen boxes will drop.

If an area is swept then nothing can be done about it and my suspicions will go towards the farmers and I dont blame them for that. Perhaps a solution for the hassle we are getting can be with dialogue between them and the boxing peeps. Making certain areas no go zones at certain times of the years.

I am afraid the halcyon days of the 90's are gone were boxes were plentiful and more of it is definitely going to go WORD OF MOUTH.

This is a real shame - but I too can understand, if "farmers" or the like are removing them.
Also, there are some irresponsible folk out there who do not respect the moors - last time I went (and yes I am a townie!) I collected a bag of other peoples rubbish........
NOTM is right about the e-mail clues, I think these should only go directly to postal addresses.
With regards to electronic databases - I think this is a good thing, if managed responsibly. I, myself, am currently developing a database, to make it easier to plan walks and to record letterboxes found and other useful information about the moor. However, when I complete this, I would work with the 100club on the best way to pass on the database to the registered folk.

Cheers