SOG A8Ditchling CommonSat 18 January, 2025

Near: Burgess Hill
Level of event: Local
Type of event: Race

Results

Report

When I made an initial survey of Ditchling Common some weeks ago, the undergrowth in the southern section was at head height, the paths to the south and west, and the woodland area in the central section were guagmires! Fortunately, the rain has held off and ESCC cut back the undergrowth, and we have had a couple of frosts.

It was a challenge to squeeze SOG-sized courses into pint-sized Ditchling but hopefully, you found the courses interesting and reasonably testing.

It takes many people to run a SOG and I must give my grateful thanks to Sue Crickmore for her sage advice on my draft courses, Neil Crickmore for map updates, Steve and Jill Blount, and Andy Parkinson for car park marshalling, Tim and Linda Hulley for running the start, Jane Lambert and Hal Jacob for control collection and last, but not least, Joe Barrett and Penny Parker for running SI.

That’s 11 people that made my job as planner so much easier! Do think about helping out a future event - there will be a sign-up sheet at SI at each event.

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.

SOG Series Info

SOGs are friendly club events where children and newcomers are very welcome. Yellow and Orange courses are suitable for children to run on their own with a bit of practice. Adults are welcome to shadow children until they are confident to go on their own. Green and Blue courses are run or walked by any age group - you can race competitively or just enjoy the woodland.

There are two series of events - autumn and spring of approximately 8 events each. Electronic timing (SI) is used.

Help on the day always appreciated.

Volunteer here

Enquiries here

Location Info

Nearest town: Burgess Hill

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

Directions / Parking


Parking on hard standing in the Mid Sussex Business Park, Folders Lane East, BN6 8SE. (the same location as last year).

Sign posted from the entrance to the industrial estate at W3W fruitcake.frost.given.
It is a 600m walk back to the start: back out of the industrial estate and then turn right where signposted into the common, following tapes to the start. DO NOT USE THE DITCHLING COMMON PUBLIC CAR PARK.

Public Transport

Burgess Hill Station 1.9 miles walk, Bus 35A or 35C from Burgess Hill to The Warren and 25 minute walk

Course Information

Blue 5.1 km (105 m)
Green 3.8 km (75 m)
Short Green 2.4km (45 m)
Orange 2.1 km (35 m)
Yellow 1.2 km (20 m)

All courses are printed on A4 paper and Blue and Green courses are
double sided.

Participants in orienteering must wear appropriate clothing including full leg cover (not shorts). This is a standard rule of the sport to minimise the transmission of blood borne parasites. Activities in cold weather or poor conditions require layered clothing with a windproof and/or waterproof shell garment.

Courses have different technical difficulty - please refer to our skills checklist for a summary of skills needed to be successful. If you'd like to learn more skills, read up on our website, come along to our monthly coaching sessions or just ask at download for someone to talk you through.


Entry Details

Pre-entry via Racesignup.co.uk Newcomers are welcome and eligible for a free trial session - if you'd like to reserve a map or discuss the event please email our membership secretary.

BOF member fees: Seniors £6.50, Juniors £3.25, SO Juniors free.
Non member fees: Seniors £7.50, Juniors £3.25.

If shadowing a junior or going as a family group with one map and one dibber, just enter one junior.

'Dibber' hire:
Electronic punching (SI) chips are available to hire. SIAC (contactless): £2 (juniors £1), non-SIAC (not contactless) £1 (juniors £0.5)

Registration open

9:45 to 10:45

Start Times

10:00 to 11:00. Courses close at 12:30.

Map Details

1:1:5000
Surveyed by Neil Crickmore Jan 2021 based on LIDAR data, with updates Dec 23, Jan 24 and Jan 25.

Terrain Description

A mixture of open and wooded areas with a good path network.

The extent of the present Ditchling Common (including the Country Park on which this event is held) has changed little since 1300. The
manor of Ditchling, held in modern times by the Marquess of Abergavenny, has owned Ditchling Common since medieval times
and only sold the land in 1950. The northern part of the Common (today’s Country Park) became overgrown with scrub when grazing of the area ceased. This area was bought by East Sussex County Council in 1974 and was designated a Country Park, and partial
grazing restarted.

Dog restrictions

On a lead in the car park. On the common dogs are welcome under close control. Clear up after your dog.

Facilities

None. Bring your own drinking water.

Miscellaneous

Recent heavy rains have made parts of the area very wet. The courses have been planned to avoid the worst of this. Should freezing conditions prevail, paths may become slippery with ice.

The area is used by members of the public and dogwalkers. Please show due respect to other users.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Clive Hawkes

Organiser:

Controller:

Photo Gallery

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