NightChailey CommonSat 19 December, 2020

Report

It’s always a pleasure to be able to organise a night event, so thanks to those that made it possible: Joe Barrett for the SI and Rob Leathley for control collection. Also, to Alex and Edward for hanging and collecting and to Alex for controlling.

Thanks to everyone that supported the event. We were lucky with the weather and the rain didn’t arrive until the last finisher had come in. Afterwards someone commented that night events provide a navigational challenge in terrain that might otherwise have started to feel a bit familiar. I’m sure that’s true, and it would be great if we could squeeze a few more night events into the calendar before the end of March.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Rob.

RouteGadget

Is a web app for sharing and comparing orienteering routes. You can draw your own route or upload a GPS track from your watch. It also allows you to watch an animated replay with a simulated mass start.

Pre event info

Entries are formally closed, but you are welcome to email the planner to see if any maps remain.

Late notes:

1. Parking is now available both the start/finish and at Chailey Heritage (see map below).

2. The start/finish is on playing fields that have recently had three large areas fenced off to protect the playing surfaces. Routes around these unmapped areas are reasonably obvious.

3. The playing fields are waterlogged in some areas, along with the adjacent footpaths. After that, conditions do improve.

A night event open to orienteers with previous experience of night orienteering. Chailey Common offers a technical challenge which is even better after dark. The Brown and Blue courses include road crossings and are open to juniors who have passed their 16th birthday. Juniors M/W16-M/W20 are required to wear hi-viz to compete on these two longer courses. Whistle and a back-up torch mandatory for all.

SIAC (contactless) punching will be enabled. Controls may be relatively close to each other, so please check your control codes.

Road crossings will be timed out. You should cross as soon as it is safe to do so, and should not look at your map during the road crossing time-outs.

It is hoped that live results will be available via wifi in the download area.

COVID-19

Please note that competitors should not attend this event:

• Who are unwell with a cough, fever or other respiratory symptoms.
• Have been in close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 and are within the quarantine period.
• If they have returned from non-exempt overseas country, until they have completed the 14 day quarantine period.
• Are currently undergoing COVID-19 testing, until they receive a negative result and are symptom free.
• Been asked to isolate by NHS Test and Trace due to them having been in contact with a known COVID-19 case.
• If they have been advised to stay at home by a Health Care professional.

Location Info

Nearest town: Chailey

• Postcode: BN8 4EF *
• Lat,Lng:50.97294,-0.02899
• Grid Ref:
• Google Map
• Streetmap (OS 50k)
• Bing Map (OS 50k)
• OpenStreetMap

* Postcodes are not very precise in some areas, so don't rely on them for an exact location.

Directions / Parking

There are two options for parking: The large car park at Chailey Heritage (BN8 4EF). See map below for details. The parking is 500m from the Start/Finish. The walk is on a footway alongside the A272; Alternatively, you can park at the Start/Finish (BN8 4ET). Please park nose first and leave space between cars.

Course Information

Brown 6.4km (30 controls)

Blue 5.1km (25 controls)

Green 3.5km (17 controls)

Orange 2.4km (13 controls)

Entry Details

Entries have now closed. Start list is here

Note that a few times have been changed by a minute or two from those requested.

Registration

Online only

Start Times

17.15-18.00

Map Details

1:7,500 with 5m contours. All maps except Orange are double-sided.

Terrain Description

Mixed terrain of open common and woodland. Areas of significant technical complexity. The Brown and Blue courses visit the western part of the map which is wet under foot.

Chailey Common is one of the largest commons in the south of England and was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1966. The common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its heathland plants, and diverse insect and bird communities.

Chailey Common stretches over 180 hectares (450 acres) and includes Red House Common, Memorial Common, Romany Ridge Common, Pound Common and Lane End. Chailey Common is dominated by heathers. These include Bell and Cross-Leaved Heather but mostly Ling Heather. There are small colonies of blue flowering Marsh Gentian, Bog Asphodel and Sundew as well as beautiful summer displays of Heath-Spotted Orchid.

The heather and gorse provide a habitat for many birds including the Stonechat, Yellowhammer and Linnet. The Nightjar and Hobby are also regular summer visitors. The commons are also home to several of our native reptiles, such as adders and common lizards with many small ponds providing homes for a variety of amphibians.

Dog restrictions

Well-behaved dogs on a lead.

Facilities

Parking on hard standing.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Robert Lines

Organiser:

Controller: Alexander Lines