Sunny Sussex Weekend Event 3Friston ForestSun 22 May, 2022

Report

Planner's report

Thank you all for supporting yesterday’s event in Friston Forest and congratulations to everyone who completed the physically demanding courses. Three weeks ago most of the forest was runnable, but recent vegetation growth added to both the technical and physical challenge on the day.

I enjoyed hearing about how people’s races went and hearing the various feedback on the event. Thanks especially to the juniors who talked me through their courses. As a coach (as well as planner) it was really helpful to hear how the various legs had been tackled, especially on the TD3 and TD4 courses.

A vast number of people were involved in putting on the event, but from a planning perspective, I must thank first Andrew Evans. As Controller, Andrew provided lots of helpful advice and suggestions which I was pleased to take on board. It’s a large forest and without adjacent vehicle access. Andrew would have had to cover a significant distance checking control sites on his visits. It was much appreciated. Getting the controls in after the event was also no mean task, so thanks to Peter Stubberfield, Garry Greenstreet, Rob Leathley, Alan Williamson, Edward Lines, and LITTLEdave^TM for going back out into the terrain after a tough race. On the start and finish we had Andrew Parkinson, Paul Luttman, Jill Blount, Einar Solgaard and Mark Chapman. Thanks to Anna Chapman for organising everything and to my family Clare, Alexander and Edward. Alex did 23K with me to get the controls hung on Saturday and Edward and Clare looked after the starts.

Until next time

Rob.

Controller’s Comments

The longer the Controller’s comments the greater the likelihood of significant issues at the event. Rob developed excellent courses and Anna’s organisation was exemplary with others from SO fulfilling their roles admirably. I was pleased to hear so many positive comments confirming that these are not just my views.

Andrew Evans (DFOK)

Organiser's Comments

Onto the third event of the weekend and setup was made easier as we were only camped a few miles up the road at what turned out to be a fabulous little campsite - Bramley Park Camping.

When we arrived at the field we were surprised to find that the farmer had left sheep in the part of the field we were supposed to be parking in! A quick phone call to the farmer at 8am and two of them were on their way with their Landrovers, however they needed backup and Penny and I were the ones for the job! So, it turned into a bit of an episode of one man and his dog, or one man, three ladies and some sticks! We herded them with the vehicles to start with and then gently coaxed them round and into the central field. I actually quite enjoyed it!!

So then back to setting the field up with Tom and Julie and Compass Point again as well as another excellent maze set up by Ben and Emma. It was another great atmosphere down in the assembly area. It was a shame that Rob, Clare and Alex didn't make it into the assembly area - they were working so hard up on Friston. Ed paid a brief visit, but again had put in a huge stint setting the start up.

My thanks go to Bridget (Mum) for helping me early on and with enquiries, the two parking teams, Ian for helping with the maze, John for a stint on enquiries, Ed and his start teams, Paul on the finish, Penny, Paul and Joe on SI and particularly Joe for getting his head around all the results!! Also thanks to Pete for putting up with me spending all the late nights pulling the whole thing together and generally hauling a load of stuff around!

We had a prizegiving with local beer, wine, local jam, chocolate oranges, Compass Point vouchers and sticks of rock at the end of the day, but there were some who were not around to pick up. The list is here - please try and pick up your prizes. See below for photos from the day - thanks to Bea Waters for photos of the prizegiving.

Please come back to Sunny Sussex in May 2024 when we are likely to be around the historic town of Arundel.

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Pre event info

Entries now closed

A weekend of orienteering in the South Downs National Park, centred around the vibrant seaside town of Eastbourne.

FINAL DETAILS

This event is a South East League Event.

Weekend prizes will be awarded for the first three combined results of the daytime events in each of the following age groups: M/W10B, M/W 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20-40, 45-50, 55-60, 65-75, 80+

Location Info

Nearest town: Eastbourne

• Postcode: *
• Lat,Lng:50.77255,0.20377
• 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

TQ 560007 What 3 words ///puzzle.name.dots Postcode BN26 5QN

Car parking is in a level grass field.

Preferred approach: From the A259 to the south of the area, take the road north towards Jevington. Just before you get to the village there will be a sign directing you into the field on the left.

From the A27 to the north of the area, take the road south towards Jevington. Just after the village, ignore the first sign which is for the assembly team parking. Carry on to the next sign, indicate right just before the bends and turn right into the field just after the bends.

Course Information

You may enter any course you wish - the age groups relate to standard classes and provide eligibility for the competitions associated with the event. Newcomers welcome.

Black 11.5km 400m climb (M21)

Brown 9.8km 355m climb (M35-40)

Short Brown 8.0km 315m climb (M18-20, M45-50, W21)

Blue 6.5km 240m climb (M16, M55-60, W35-40)

Short Blue 5.0km 165m climb (M65, W18-20, W45-50)

Green 4.3km 145m climb (M70, W16, W55-60)

Short Green 3.7km 100m climb (M75, W65-70)

Very Short Green 3.3km 90m climb (M80+, W75+)

Light Green 3.3km 80m climb (M14, W14)

Long Orange 5.8km 145m climb (Adult Novice)

Orange 2.8km 60m climb (M12, W12)

Yellow 2.5km 45m climb (M10, W10)

White 1.6km 30m climb

All maps are A3 size except for Orange, Yellow and White which are printed on A4.

Children’s Fun Maze or Grid

Competitors will be eligible for Sunny Sussex prizes if they run their recommended age class or run "up" i.e. a longer course.

Each competitor will be awarded points using a statistical calculation based on their finishing time within a sample that is made up of all the finishers on the same course at the same event. The overall score is the sum from both events. The calculation is:

Runner score = 1000 + (200 * (average_time - runner time)) / standard deviation time

Entry Details

Entry only via Racesignup.co.uk, there will be no entry on the day.

Entries close at 8pm on 20th May, but maps numbers will be set from 15th May. Enter whilst maps available.

Seniors light green to black (British Orienteering Member) £14.00
Seniors light green to black (Non-member) £16.00
Seniors white, yellow, orange, long orange (British Orienteering Member) £5.00
Seniors white, yellow, orange, long orange (Non-member) £7:00
SO Juniors Free
Other juniors £3.00

Discount codes

Family rates for non-SO members capped at the rate of 2 adults plus 1 child. Enter the first three competitors as normal, then second, third child etc. using discount code 'Family'.

SO juniors use discount code 'SOjuniors'.

Adults entering all three events use discount code 'All3' for each event to receive £3 discount.

Start Times

10:00 - 12:00. Start is 700m from assembly up a rough chalk track (10-20min) Courses close 14:30

Map Details

Updated in 2020 1:10,000 with 5m contours

Terrain Description

Friston Forest is within the South Downs National Park between Lulington Heath National Nature Reserve and Seven Sisters Country Park. It is the largest area of recently established forest in South East England. The woodland comprises runnable beech forest crossed by rides and cycling trails.

In the last 10 days, undergrowth has appeared along the edges of the rides and open paths. Gaitors are strongly advised.

Dog restrictions

Dogs are permitted in the car park on a lead at the event, but no dogs on the course please.

Facilities

Food will be provided by British and Continental Catering.
Orienteering merchandise by Compass Point.
Toilets

Miscellaneous

Based around the vibrant seaside town of Eastbourne and on the doorstep of the South Downs National Park. The weekend will offer a whole host of attractions to keep you entertained all weekend.

Beachy Head, Birling Gap, Seven Sisters, Redoubt Fortress, Sovereign Harbour Marina, miniature steam railway. Waterfront restaurants at Sovereign Harbour are a must for eating with discounts offered for event participants. Also nearby are Knockhatch Adventure Park and Drusillas Zoo Park.

Convenient campsite at Bramley Park Camping.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Robert Lines

Organiser: Anna Chapman

Controller: Andrew Evans