SOG S7Oldhouse Warren & Cowdray ForestSat 03 May, 2025

Directions / Parking

Signed from the junction of the B2036/M23 (Jct 10a).

Grid Reference: TQ299353

Nearest Postcode: RH10 5NY

What3Words: beams.lines.fallen

Driving slowly, follow the track SW approximately 700 metres to the assembly area and park as directed. This track is unmade with many potholes, and is NOT suitable for low sporty cars.

For anyone being dropped off, please walk in from the gate, following the edge of the track to the assembly area.

To avoid two-way traffic on the narrow track, please do not leave the parking area before 1100hrs.

Public Transport

Nearest railway station is Three Bridges. 2.7km walk to area.

Course Information

Blue 5.8km, 170m climb, 18 controls

Green 4.2km, 100m climb, 16 controls

Short Green 3.1km, 85 m climb, 14 controls

Orange 2.6km, 55m climb, 8 controls

Yellow 1.5km, 30m climb, 6 controls

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

1:10000 with 5m contours. A4.

Terrain Description

Mixed deciduous/coniferous woodland. Ride/path network.

Dog restrictions

Sorry no dogs.

Facilities

Note that no water will be provided on the course or at the finish. Please consider carrying your own if you feel that you are likely to be out for a long time, especially as it may well be quite warm for an event in early May.

Miscellaneous

Safety bearing. Head north-west to the track running alongside the fence which borders the M23. If you meet the track which was driven along to reach the car parking area you should turn left (and beware of traffic). Otherwise turn right until you reach the car park. Blue course competitors will cross into Cowdray Forest for part of their course - from there you should head north until you initially meet the east-west bridleway (that you crossed earlier) and then continue northwards as per the instructions above.

Fence crossings:- There are no fences that will need to be crossed on the Yellow, Orange, Short Green or Green courses, which are entirely within Oldhouse Warren. Note that the Blue course heads out and back into Cowdray Forest for part of the course, which involves crossing the barbed wire fences which border the east-west bridleway between Oldhouse Warren and Cowdray Forest. The northern fence is generally quite derelict and in most places is easily crossed with care. The southern fence is far newer, generally very stable and in most places can be easily crossed with care. Please consider changing to another course if you are concerned about your ability to cross barbed wire fences.

Phytophthora Ramorum - An area has been marked out of bounds (on the map with purple hashing) due to the presence of Phytophthora Ramorum . This is a highly destructive, algae-like organism called a water mould, it can cause extensive damage and death to more than 150 plant species. Please ensure you do not enter the Out of Bounds area for any reason, and take the following measures to reduce the possibility of spreading the disease to other forest areas:
Remove excess soil/leaf litter/needles from footwear, gaiters and clothing before leaving the forest at the end of the event.
On returning home thoroughly scrub footwear/gaiters, wash clothing and leave to dry for at least 48 hours before reuse.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Steve Jarvis

Organiser:

Controller:

Important Event Information

Safety and Risk: A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event. Information about how to keep yourself and your children safe at an event can be found here.

Whistles: Carrying a whistle is strongly recommended at all our events and may be made compulsory by the organiser depending on identified risks and conditions.

SIACs: Note that in contactless mode no record of a SIAC "punch" is held in the control box. By using contactless punching, competitors are accepting the resulting risk that we may take longer to find them if they are lost or injured.

Covid Prevention: Please adhere to the British Orienteering Code of Conduct and take care to allow others to maintain social distance if they wish.

Ticks: Please be aware that ticks are common across many of the areas we run in and can carry infections such as Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Encephalitis. This is why the rules of orienteering say that you MUST wear full leg and abdomen cover in the forest. Full arm cover is also recommended. Please check for ticks after running and seek medical advice if you develop flu like symptoms or a spreading circular rash after being bitten. There is an excellent government leaflet here.

Insurance: All of our events are registered with British Orienteering and are covered by their public liability insurance; individuals are advised to consider their own private accident insurance.

Please note that the insurance only covers those registered as being part of the event so if you are taking part as a group, or are accompanying / shadowing a child please make sure you register the names of everyone taking part as you sign up.

For club taster / coaching sessions, individuals who are registered as attending are insured for a maximum of 3 initial sessions whilst deciding whether to join; they must be members of British Orienteering by their 4th session.

Privacy: when participating in our events/activities your name may appear in the results section of this website or in newspaper reports. Read our data protection page to see how we look after your personal data.