News
Archive of News and Information stored under the News category.
SO 4th at CompassSport Cup Final
We couldn't quite match our third place position at the 2019 final at the same venue, it always looked like it would be a good race for third place behind FVO and SYO and so it proved. In the end we were pipped for 3rd by SN (who beat us in the qualifier) but held off strong challenges from BOK and HH. The club captain has the maps for those members who left before 1pm. Results can be found here.
FIRST AID TRAININGFree to SO Members
0900hrs – 1700hrs Saturday 2nd January 2027 at Ringmer, near Lewes.
The course is free of charge to SO members.
Tea/coffee and biscuits will be provided, please bring a packed lunch.
To book your place contact Steve Blount by the 3rd November 2026.
Peter Palmer Junior Team Relay Success
Our two Southdowns Junior Teams ran to podium positions at the recent Peter Palmer Junior Team Relay which took place on Ashdown Forest. The seven person PP team took 2nd place and the five person daybreak team took 3rd place. Our junior teams ranged from age 10 to 18 and included seven newcomers to this event.
Autumn club nights 2026
Autumn club nights return on Tuesday 22nd September.
Courses have been risk assessed according to this document.
Summer Trail Runs 2026
Summer trail runs returned on 16th April 2026. Courses have been risk assessed according to this document
We will meet as a group at 6:30pm each Thursday although we hope to make the activities available online to attempt at your leisure. Courses will be saved in the Trail Runs folder on MapRun (UK/Sussex/Trail Runs).
Please sign up using the Strawpoll and indicate (when appropriate) whether you would like a map provided (cost £1) or are happy to print off your own.
Pre-season training open to allChailey Common venues
Ahead of the Peter Palmer Relay competition, we have organised two opportunities for all club members to get out into the terrain. Each evening has two mass-start training competitions. A short 15-minute score in the twilight and then a 2.5km or 4 km line competition as it gets darker. The main events of the evenings start at 19.30 and courses will close at 21.00. The activities take place on Saturday 5 September 2026 and Wednesday 9 September 2026 on different parts of the Chailey map. It’s free to take part, but you must sign-up in advance with your details: https://doodle.com/sign-up-she...
Juniors love being out in the woods with a torch and a map. Whatever their age, bring them along for a walk or jog round Chailey Common. Older juniors can run on their own if they wish, but most younger juniors enjoy being with a parent or friend.
Calling all juniors M/W12 and over to take part in Peter Palmer Junior Team Relay - Sept 13th
We're currently putting teams together for the Peter Palmer Junior Team Relay which takes place in the early morning of Sunday Sept 13th. We're hosting it this year and it's at Broadstone Warren on Ashdown Forest - Winnie the Pooh country!
We have ten juniors signed up and are looking for more. In particular, the yellow leg on each of the two relays can be run by up to three people, with the quickest time scoring, which makes it a great opportunity to experience the relay without too much pressure.
In Memory of Little Dave Cumins
It’s with a heavy heart that we are sharing the tragic news of the passing of Little Dave Cumins, our friend and treasured member of Southdowns Orienteers. On Friday 12th June Little Dave very sadly lost the battle he had been fighting. We will miss so much about Dave, his kindness, his generosity, his undaunted enthusiasm and not least his willingness to always collect the furthest away controls. Rest in peace Little Dave.
SO win medals at British Sprint relay and British Sprint Champs
In a great weekend of racing around Bristol's two University sites, SO claimed medals in both the Sprint Relay Champs and the Sprint Champs. At the relay champs the super vet team of Neil, Julia and Alan claimed Bronze medal position in a nail biting finish, with just 5 seconds between 2nd and 4th position! In another close finish James, Emma and Ed claimed the Bronze medal in the Ad-Hoc competition, with fourth place just 6 seconds behind.
Run Sussex 2026The urban adventure series
Run Sussex is a series of summer evening urban adventure races. The challenge is to navigate between electronic checkpoints in the correct order and in the fastest time. Urban orienteering is an accessible form of the sport and is ideal for newcomers as well as experienced navigators.
Competitors start at one-minute intervals and pick up the map for the first time after they start the event. The fastest man and women on each course are awarded 100 points with second places receiving 99 etc. At the end of the series, the overall course winners will be the runners with the highest total scores across their four best results.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SOUTHDOWNS ORIENTEERS
The Annual General Meeting of Southdowns Orienteers will be held on Saturday 6 June 2026 at 12:30 at Bedelands Football Club, Maple Drive, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 8AQ and will be followed by the giving of prizes.
All of the officers of the club are standing for re-election with the exception of Alan Williamson who has completed his three-year tenure as Chair. The SO committee is therefore looking for a new Club Chair to work alongside them in the day to day running of the club. The committee holds monthly meetings on the 3rd Friday evening of each month, and an AGM on the first Saturday of June.
If you feel this is for you, or you would like to take on one of the other positions, any club committee member would be pleased to discuss it with you.
Please find the AGM Agenda together with a list of committee positions and the individuals standing for re-election here, a nomination form here, and the minutes of the 2025 AGM here.
Clive Hawkes
Secretary
Sad news about Jaquie Drake
The club was saddened to hear of the passing of Jaquie Drake, who for many years had been our membership secretary. Alongside her husband Peter (former club chairman), Jaquie ran the SI and entry / results service at all SO events for very many years. We send our condolences to all the family.
Peter is organising a get together at Barcombe on the afternoon of Saturday 20th June to remember Jaquie and says anyone who remembers Jaquie will be very welcome to attend. He would really enjoy catching up with everyone.
In order that Peter can gauge how many need to be catered for (there will be outside caterers) please could you email him at the earliest opportunity at peter@vuggles.co.uk if you wish to attend. Peter will then email back those who have contacted him with all the details nearer the day.
SO Success at the British Champs
One individual champion, two relay championship trophies and three other podium places marked a successful weekend in South Wales for Team SO. Gold to Roger Maher, our M60 team (Chris/Neil/Alan) and our Short Open team (Darrell/Ben/Nick). Silver for Darrell and Bronze for Ruth and our W50 team (Anna/Jill/Julia).