Southdowns Orienteers Forums

Saunders entries are now open

2008-11-11T10:59:15+00:00

http://www.slmm.org.uk/index.htm

it’s in the Lakes as usual, and on the 4th and 5th of July: given all the fuss about the OMM this year (which was in the Lakes) then there may be a larger-than-usual rush to do the Saunders.
See you there - if you want to beat me, enter Harter.

Forthcoming Closing Dates

2008-11-02T21:14:53+00:00

There are a number of events coming up soon with pre entry closing dates appearing soon also.

The first being the Southern Night Champs at Greenham Common on the 22nd November. Closing date is the 14th November - please note pre entry is by post only, there is no online entry.

The next Regional is the CHIG Michael Brandon Mitre Regional at Broxbourne Woods on the 23rd November. Closing Date for this is the 15th November, online entry is available.

Following hotly in it’s heels is our own Regional event at Broadstone Warren on the 30th November. First closing date (for cheapest entry) is the 16th November.

Ali

November Classic - 2nd November

2008-10-26T20:29:32+00:00

Quick question - is anyone taking either of the Club tents to the November Classic next Sunday ?

Ali

KNC – Round 7 – Hindleap Warren, Ashdown Forest - Monday 27th October 2008

2008-10-21T16:13:59+00:00

Kent Night Cup – Round 7 – Hindleap Warren, Ashdown Forest
Monday 27th October 2008
By kind permission of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest and Hindleap Warren Activity Centre.

Location/Parking: GR TQ401326 Public car park called ‘Goat’. There are 55 named car parks on Ashdown Forest. It is not huge – please squeeze up close to the car next to you!
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=540150&y=132650&z=3&sv=540150,132650&st=4&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&ax=540150&ay=132650
Just beside a 4 way road junction, 3km SE of Forest Road on Priory Road. No street lights in the area so take care.

Public transport: Nearest station is East Grinstead. Mail organiser with your pick-up/transport requests.

Area/Map: 1:10,000. 5m contours. Roger Maher from 1998 with updates winter 2003/4 and Oct06 update by Simon Beck.
Typical rolling Ashdown Forest for 2/3rd of the map and dense Rhododendron forest in the SE. The map is basically 3 stream incised spurs. The area is split into two landowners. Standard Ashdown Forest terrain owned by the commoners. The forest can be full of ‘dead orange’ bracken but you can get through without too much stress in most places. I have moved the controls which could have been rather bingo in these areas. The Outdoor Centre land is primarily thick ‘rhody’ forest which is should be avoided. The tracks are a little overgrown in places but are there! Take care with your Compass. There were quite a lot of deer about when I was checking sites.
A4 map unit – bring protection (map bag) as the maps will not be waterproof.

One road crosses the area – please cross with extreme care – it will be dark and quiet so you will see and hear cars coming from quite a distance. It is a minor road but there will be some traffic.

Times: Mass start at 1930 prompt. 60 minute score. Course closes 2030. Controls being collected from 2035 (volunteers needed!). Late arrivals can start but note course close time! Please mail me if you want to start earlier. Please arrive in good time for the start.

Equipment: SPORT IDENT Dibbers to hire if you don’t have one. Bring a map bag (especially if raining), compass, whistle STRONGLY advised. Descriptions on map only. Some sort of torch essential and a small back up/reserve is also highly advised.

Cost: FREE. Although it is coming up to Xmas and I still have some packs of 12 Xmas cards in aid of the GB Squad Grant fund – for only 2.50gbp and packs of 10 retro postcards for 50p!

Course: Suitable for all abilities (various yellow/orange controls) - 20 controls total. I have planned it so there are 10 controls within 1km (straight line) of the start/finish (although it is hilly!). All controls optimum route is about 5km but whilst checking all the sites I ran 6.5miles.

Prizes: A select few – of grandeur to reflect entry fee – at the pub afterwards.

Coming? Nice to know if you are coming to gauge how many maps we need to print off. E-mail or ring. If you are new to Night Orienteering and would like someone to help you get started please email the organiser or make yourself known on the night in good time.

Après-O: - The Red Lion, Chelwood Gate. (01825 740265) A classic pub – been there for 150 years or so. From the car park, turn right and immediately at the cross roads, sharp left to the Wych Cross traffic light crossroads. Turn right and then right again after 300m on the A275 south. After 2km, past the cat centre and the garage is basically the pub on your left. More parking to the right of the pub building.
http://www.shepherd-neame.co.uk/pubs/pubs.php/redlion_haywardsheath
GR TQ 414303 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=541450&y=130350&z=3&sv=541450,130350&st=4&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&ax=541450&ay=130350
FOOD: Geoff at the pub is doing a special for us as the Chef will knock off at 9pm. There are 4 choices. Please make your choice at registration. Shepherds Pie with chips. Meat Chilli and Rice or Veggie Stroganoff and Rice. These three are all served with Garlic Bread and are 8.95gbp. Soup and Bread is 3.95gbp as a 4th alternative. I’ll ring through numbers just after the start. He’ll expect us 9-9.30pm. There will be a quiz night going on but it is quite a big pub – early arrivals, find a large corner!

Results: will be online at http://www.saxons-oc.org with a short report as soon after the event as possible.

Welcome! Mail me if you have questions/or if I have left anything out

NickBarrable (at) hotmail.com, 07720 952241

Forthcoming productions…

NOV
Thus 6 SONiC 2 & KNC 8 – Crawley – Ali Weller & Laura Pearson
Tues 11 SLOW NSL - Richmond
Wed 12 KNC9 – Perry Wood, nearish Maidstone - NB
Sat 15 SeNiLe – MV – Whitedowns (area = provisional.)
Thus 20 KNC10 – Bedgbury – Sarah Howes
Sat 22 Southern Nights – Greenham Common - BADO
Wed 26 KNC 11-Tunbridge Wells – TWHarriers – Martin Brice
Thus 27 LOK Street-O: Londons West End
Sat 29 Midland Nights – WAOC – Rowney Warren

DEC
Wed 3 KNC12-DFOK - Maidstone Street event: Neil Speers
Thus 4 SONiC 3
Tues 9 SLOW NSL - Putney
Thus 11 KNC13 – Bixley and Beckley, Tenterden – NB?
Thus 18 KNC14 - XMAS BASH – Ightham - NB

partner wanted for short score in the OMM next weekend, in the Lake District

2008-10-18T10:22:44+00:00

My regular partners have cried off this event, for a variety of reasons. I’d still like to do it: I have entered the short score class, in which you have 5 hours on day 1 and 4 hours on day 2, so it is generally regarded as the least physically demanding class. I have all kit: food, gas, tent, can lend a suitable rucksack, but not a sleeping bag. I’m not going to win this: it’s just great to take part. I can off er alift next Friday morning from Tunbridge Wells (actually I’m cadging a lift from someone driving up from Eastbourne so it’s possible to get a lift from him). I’ve done about a dozen of these things now so you won’t die. This’ll suit someone who either wants an introduction to such events or who has some experience and would like to have a go at this. email me at martin.brice1 (at) googlemail.com.

Kent Night Cup 6 - Sevenoaks Street-O - Thurs 23rd October

2008-10-17T08:23:45+00:00

After 58 runners last night at Kings Wood Challock near Ashford, will mid-week evening O soon take over from weekend events! ;-)

Maybe a bit far for some, but Southdowners are very welcome to Sevenoaks for a Holford planned Street-O.

The week after is Hindleap Warren, Ashdown Forest on MONDAY 27th October - so very close for some SO!

Kent Night Cup Round 6
Night Street Orienteering
Thursday 23 October 2008
from the Riverhead Harvester, Sevenoaks
Grid Ref: TQ 514560
Briefing at 1930, changed ready to go!
Arrive in good time
Light coloured/reflective clothing advised
Bring a torch, pen and A4 map bag
Dibbers available to borrow (bring your own if you have one)
Cost – 50p
Walk or run, alone or with a friend
Registration/maps available from 1900
Mass Start at 1940
60 minute Score event – visit as many
controls as you can
Stay for food and drink in the bar after!
Questions? Email simon (at) simonandjillian.co.uk
Or call 0797 128 4068
More details at http://www.saxons-oc.org

Kent Night Cup 4 - Abbey Woods, Nr. Maidstone - 9th Oct

2008-10-02T08:37:42+00:00

Maybe a bit far for all but the stallwarts, here are the details and the events list below.

Directions: Park at the east end of Horseshoes Lane, near its junction with the B2163, grid reference TQ815519. Registartion, Start, Finish are all 150m south along the B2163, at grid reference TQ815517, by a little electricty sub-station. My car (yellow and a funny shape) will be there and it really is not possible to miss it.
Grid Ref: TQ815519
Courses: 60 minute score. Course closes 2030. Controls being collected from 2031 (upto 20 volunteers needed - 1 control each). Please arrive in good time for the start.
Map and Terrain: 1:10000 double sided. Get 10 controls then flip over for the other 10. Woods with brambles and burnt-out cars. Some minor road crossings.
Registration: 1900-1915hrs
Starts: 1930hrs prompt
Fees: £1 for double-sided, waterproof map.
Facilities: Après-O:– The George Inn, 1 mile NNE of the event centre at TQ824532 in the village of Leeds. Normally finishes food at 9pm but expecting us to turn up from 8.45 - 9.30. We have to pre-order from a choice of
Sausage, chips and peas or
Scampi, chips and peas or
Vegetarian Lasagne
You have plenty of time to ponder over the menu, but let me know when you register whether and what you want to eat. Each dish is around £7.50.
Further Info: Prizes: A select few (but please bring some as I don’t have any) – of grandeur to reflect entry fee – at the pub afterwards.
Toilets in the pub
Organiser/Planner : Simon Maytum 07718 948034 simon dot maytum at tiscali dot co dot uk

KNC 2008/9 – Season 2. (26 Rounds planned)

OCT
Thus 9 KNC4 - Abbey Woods, SE of Maidstone – Simon Maytum
Tues 14 SLOW NSL - Southfields
Thus 16 KNC5 - Challock, nr Ashford.
Tues 21 BAOC – Infantry Night Champs – Frith Hill, nr Camberley – http://www.baoc.org.uk
Thus 23 KNC6 – Sevenoaks Street O
Mon 27 KNC7 – Hindleap Warren, Ashdown Forest

NOV
Thus 6 SONiC 2 & KNC 8 – Crawley – Ali Weller & Laura Pearson
Tues 11 SLOW NSL - Richmond
Wed 12 KNC9 – Perry Wood, nearish Maidstone
Sat 15 SeNiLe – MV – Whitedowns (area = provisional.)
Thus 20 KNC10 – Bedgbury – Sarah Howes
Sat 22 Southern Nights – Greenham Common - BADO
Wed 26 KNC 11-Tunbridge Wells – TWHarriers – Martin Brice
Thus 27 LOK Street-O: Londons West End
Sat 29 Midland Nights – WAOC – Rowney Warren

DEC
Wed 3 KNC12-DFOK - Maidstone Street event: Neil Speers
Thus 4 SONiC 3
Tues 9 SLOW NSL - Putney
Thus 11 KNC13 – Bixley and Beckley, Tenterden
Thus 18 KNC14 - XMAS BASH - Ightham

Notes: SONiC = Southdowns Orienteers Night Cup (6 rounds, 3 are combined with KNC) see http://www.southdowns-orienteers.org.uk
SLOW NSL (Night Street League) – 8 races, best 4 score http://www.sloweb.org.uk
LOK Street-Os – a couple of one offs - http://www.londonorienteering.co.uk
DFOK at http://www.dfok.co.uk

Various Closing Dates

2008-09-05T07:05:03+00:00

It is that time of year again, to start thinking about the Autumn Regional events and there are some closing dates coming up, which SO members may be interested in.

Firstly, the Caddihoe Chase on the weekend of 20th/21st September is as close as it’s going to get to SO land this year, on the New Forest. Closing Date is tomorrow, 6th September.

SLOW’s Trail Challenge, also on the 21st September in Richmond Park has a closing date of 13th September.

Then the first SE Regional is SLOW’s middle distance at Glover’s Wood, near Gatwick on the 5th October, first closing date for cheaper entries is 25th September.

Further afield, the Devon Long O on Dartmoor on 4th October has a closing date of 23rd September and the QO Long O on Exmoor on the 5th closes on the 21st September.

Ali

World Masters Accom Rip Off?

2008-09-24T10:49:48+00:00

Maybe those wise old heads have cottoned on to the fact that the prices charged for accom at major events can be a rip off. I booked accom at the 2009 World Masters in Oz through their web site and found that I am being charged 50% more than the locally quoted price this year. The organisers of the O events were horrified to find this out and passed my query onto the World Masters organisers. I await comment from them about the pricing but seem for some reason not to be getting a reply. I wonder why not? It maybe the case that the WM are making a killing but then again it could be the local accom owners. Whatever, I think the only sensible way to deal with this in the future is to book accom say 16 months ahead (if you can) and direct - not through the organisers.

Hope to see you all sometime!

Barrie pearson

Kent Night Cup 2 - Haysden CP - Tonbridge

2008-09-19T09:28:58+00:00

Dear Southdowners,
31 people ran in KNC 1 - and lovely moonlit evening at Knole watching the deer prance away and O-ing on the golf course which we seldom get a chance to do.
Next week, Jerry is laying on an exciting course, 20 control 60 min score as usual, at Haysden CP. - Not the usual Car Park, but under the A21 by the sailing club.
Jerry says…

Hi KENT NIGHT CUP runners, Please find attatched the details for the KNC 2 to be held at Haysden. The car park is further on from the normal country park entrance. Keep going on the same lane for another km untill you go under the A21, then turn right for the car park. Haysden country park is a network of footpaths, streams, lakes and a railway line. The challenge will be to take the optimum route around the lakes and through the 3 railway bridges. Very flat. More details on the website. If anyone needs a lift from the nearest station, Tonbridge, please ask.

The Kent NIGHT CUP
Saxons Orienteering Club
Haysden
Thursday 25th Sept 2008

Directions
Car park at TQ 563455 , Haysden Sailing Lake, west of A21. From A21 go north to Tonbridge. At the first roundabout (Shell garage) turn left to Haysden. After 1/2km turn right into Lower Haysden Lane. Pass Haysden country park and turn right just after you go under A21 after 2km.

Nearest railway station is Tonbridge. Please email if you would like a lift from there.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=556350&y=145550&z=3&sv=556350,145550&st=4&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=631&ax=556350&ay=145550

Grid Ref
TQ 563455

Courses
60 minute score. Course closes 2030. Controls being collected from 2035 (volunteers needed!). Please mail me if you want to start earlier. Please arrive in good time for the start.

Map & terrain
1:10000. Haysden country park is a network of footpaths, streams, lakes and a railway line. The challenge will be to take the optimum route around the lakes and through the 3 railway bridges. Very flat.

Registration
19.15 to 19.15 hrs

Start
19.30 prompt. Mass start.

Fees
free

facilities
Prizes: A select few – of grandeur to reflect entry fee – at the pub afterwards.
Toilets at Haysden country park entrance 1km

Organiser/Planner
Jerry Purkis jerry dot Purkis at shell dot com 01892 536332 mobile on day 07767 322017

Equipment: SPORT IDENT Dibbers to hire if you don’t have one. Bring a map bag (especially if raining), compass, whistle highly advised. Descriptions on map only. Some sort of torch essential and a small back up/reserve is also highly advised.
Coming? Nice to know if you are coming to gauge how many maps we need to print off. Please e-mail me. If you are new to Night Orienteering and would like someone to help you get started please email the organiser or make yourself known on the night in good time.

Après-O:– Hare and Hounds, Bidborough, Kent, 01892 517405 which is the same pub as the Christmas event.