Parko 8 Goffs Park Sat 13 September, 2025

Report

We hope that you found the Goffs Park event to be a fitting conclusion to the summer park event season.

We were extremely fortunate that the driest two hours of the whole weekend seemed to be when people were out on their courses (unlike one of the wettest hours just prior to then when Ben, Emma and I were putting out the controls!).

The planning effort and ideas came from Emma Chapman, with assistance from brother, Ben. Emma enthusiastically drafted out courses soon after signing up to the role. The park area is relatively small, but has a variety of terrain features that they were both keen to make good use of. My role was that of armchair Controller/Mentor, and Anna sorted out many of the organisational aspects (including the Risk Assessment).

Yellow and Orange courses were planned with junior and novice orienteers in mind and relatively straight forward. Emma’s aim with the longest “Sprint” course was to get participants thinking hard and quickly from the start and keep that theme for much of the course – not an easy thing to do in a small area with lots of open space. We refined the courses following a number of control site checks in the park during the weeks leading up to the event. It was surprising how much detail on the map was changing on a regular basis during those weeks – the last changes being only a few days before the event, when much of the long grass making up the mapped rough open was mown – obliterating the paths in the wildlife triangle (in the NW of the map) where the sprint course visited!

The small size of the area led to a double sided map for the sprint course and (unusually) a set of butterfly loops on the orange (and two on the sprint). I think that Emma and Ben provided a good, and suitably challenging, but fair set of courses. Comparing with other Park-O events in the series, the Sprint was, perhaps, a few hundred meters too long, but this may be because our relatively open park with its gentle slopes was not quite as fast as I might’ve expected it to be. Emma and Ben received lots of positive comments, particularly regarding the Sprint, giving a good amount of challenge.

We invited Scout groups and Explorer units from across the Crawley district to take part, as it seemed an ideal opportunity to provide an easily accessible orienteering experience for them. We were heartened to see the response (especially in view of the unpromising weather forecast) and welcomed Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers (and their Leaders) from 1st Crawley, 1st Northgate, 7th Crawley, 1st Langley Green and Neil Armstrong. This additional organisational load, however, took all of the family man-power to receive our Scouting friends and get them started on their courses, so we are indebted to several of our SO club-mates for helping on the day. Thanks to: Vince and Chris J on car parking; William and David for helping on the start; Sue for overseeing the operation and wearing the “Ask Me for Help” top; Bea for additional support with the Scouts and taking pictures; Chris H for helping set up the podium and Garry for helping with packing up plus other offers of help. Ed had also been ready to patrol the golf area for wayward golfers on the day, but none were evident, so he stood down. Many thanks to Neil for printing the maps and also for our ever valiant Computer team for supporting our event in their usual efficient way (as they have throughout the Summer Park series). Thanks also to Crawley Borough Council for permission to hold the event.

The dry interval lasted long enough to hold the series prize giving ceremony, witnessed by the few souls who stuck it to the end – I guess that it wasn’t quite picnic weather! Congratulations to the medal winners in the series.

There is a reasonable amount out brain work, legwork, and plain hard work to get an event together, but there have also been some very enjoyable times where we have had the opportunity to be at one with the terrain, and just enjoy being out in it. On at least two of these occasions Emma and I were very lucky to see a deer in the park – seemed quite amazing for a patch of public open space surrounded in all directions by houses and big roads (and not something that I had seen here before during my 19 years living close to Goffs Park).

Peter Chapman

Photos to follow ...

Lost Property: A yellow waterproof, contact [email protected]

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

Welcome to the last in the Summer series of Park-O's. We are offering three courses which vary in length and difficulty. To view an example of the previous event map click here.

We are also welcoming Crawley Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers to come and test their navigation and have a go at Orienteering at this event. They can walk or run at their own pace, go in groups, or individuals or maybe with family members. This will count towards Navigator Staged badges as well as the Orienteer Badge for Scouts. Some of our Club Members will be on hand to help get people started. If Scout Leaders or parents have questions do get in contact with Anna Chapman.

There will be a junior warm up which will take place from 10:15am to 10:30am. All juniors are welcome to join us.

Please stay for the end of series prizegiving which will happen soon after the event finishes. Perhaps bring a picnic. Review the latest standings here.

In the afternoon Ben Chapman will be hosting a quiz for SO members and their friends and family. to raise money for his International Expedition to Tanzania. Timing is arrive from 2:15pm for a 2:30pm start through to 5:30pm. Venue is just several hundred metres from the park at The Scout Hut on Oak Road, RH11 8AE. Tickets are £5 for adults and £2 for children. Do email Anna Chapman to reserve a place.

Location Info

Nearest town: Crawley

• Postcode: *
• Lat,Lng: 51.11124,-0.20015
• 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

Goffs Park (TQ259364) Parking will be at the top of the park behind Goffs park house (W3W ///stream.rust.button). From Horsham road turn into Old Horsham road, take an immediate right and follow the road down to the house. Subject to entries, overflow parking may be in Goffs Manor car park.

Public Transport

Nearest railway station is Crawley and nearest bus station is Newlands Road. From each of these walk into the park and up to Goffs Park House where the start will be.

Course Information

All courses are suitable for anyone to walk or run. Juniors or families can walk/run as groups if they wish.

Yellow: 1.5km 25m climb (Easiest navigation)
Orange: 2.2km 30m climb (Tricker navigation)
Sprint: 3.2km 40m climb (Suitable for anyone to walk or run, with more complex navigation)

If running the orange or yellow, competitors may wear shorts. However if running the sprint, competitors must wear full leg cover as there are sections of brambles on the course.

Entry Details

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.

Entry fees: Sprint £5.00, Orange £2.50, Yellow £2.50 (SO Juniors free - use code SOjuniors)

SI card hire: Seniors £1 (£2 for SIAC), Juniors 50p (£1 for SIAC)

Juniors are aged 0-20yrs.

Start Times

Starts from 10am to 11am. Courses close at 12:00.

Map Details

Scale 1:4,000 with 5m contours

Terrain Description

Goffs Park is a delightful park which has a mix of open parkland and small areas of woodland with some gentle slopes.

Dog restrictions

Dogs allowed under control

Facilities

Kiosk serving hot and cold drinks
Goffs Manor for Pub Meals
Public Toilets
Play Area
Outdoor Gym

Competitors should bring their own water to re-hydrate.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Emma and Ben Chapman

Organiser: Anna Chapman [email protected]

Controller / Event Adviser: Peter Chapman