SOG 8Millennium WoodSat 20 January, 2018

Report

Planner's Comments

It was not my intention of combining the Orienteering Event with a Tough Mudder but that is the weather for you. Thank you for all who expressed their enjoyment of the challenge and showed the toughness of Orienteers. I last mapped the area in 2007 and most of the middle region was rough open with scattered trees. It now presents some good navigational challenges.

I am very grateful for the enormous amount of help that was readily given. To Bridget for covering my back and filling in where necessary. To Paul Luttman , Chris Simpson and Julia Jarvis for putting out controls. To Ed Cox, Chris Hooker, Dave Funnell (volunteering at the last moment to fill a gap), Simon, Kieran and Maureen Fitzpatrick for collecting controls. To Linda and Tim Hulley for cheerfully supervising parking. To Sue and Jim Parker for mapsales.To Steve Jarvis for obtaining parking at Warden Park Academy and providing direction signs. To Julia Jarvis for thoughtful controlling and giving useful suggestions. To Jill Blount for supervising the start and finish. And our ever efficient SI Team of Ralph Phillips, Mike Ralph and Les Coles. In all 20 helpers. Apologies if I have left anyone out. Events could not happen without this support in the background.

Les Hooper

Planner

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.

Location Info

Nearest town: Haywards Heath

• Postcode: RH17 5DP *
• Lat,Lng:51.00457,-0.13372
• Grid Ref: TQ310245
• 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

Directions and Parking The easiest route from all directions is via the A272. Parking is at Warden Park Academy, Broad Street, Cuckfield (B2184). RH17 5DP Turn north off the A272 onto the B2184 from the roundabout at the eastern end of the Cuckfield bypass (signed Cuckfield B2184). The entrance into Warden Park Academy is after 800 metres on the left, just after the Wheatsheaf Pub. Please note the following parking instructions, as there will be other activities taking place at Warden Park. Parking is on the tennis courts (playground), accessed by taking the left fork of the driveway. Please do not drive straight up. The tennis courts are accessed through the fence just past the prefab building on the left at the top of the loop. Please park as far to the left (east) of the tennis courts as possible. On exit, use the same gap in the fence and turn left, then Give Way at the end before turning right down the main drive. There is a £1 car parking fee.

Public Transport

Nearest trains at Haywards Heath (2km)

Course Information

Blue: approx 5.7km
Green: approx 3.8km
Orange: approx 2.5km
Yellow: approx 1.8km
These are provisional distances and may change slightly.
Note that the start / finish area is 600 metres from the car park, initially along pavements and then a public bridleway. Follow the red/white tapes – please use the pedestrian crossing to cross Broad Street. Two side roads also need to be crossed. Please take care. Children should be accompanied. Note that the start and finish will be close to each other.

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.

'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

1:7500. Resurveyed and extended during 2017 by Les Hooper, with help from Nick & Thomas Jarvis. Based on the original 2007 map by Les Hooper.

Terrain Description

Millenium Wood was formerly farmland, planted 15 to 20 years ago with native species and has quickly achieved a level of maturity. This is complemented by blocks of ancient woodland, some conceal former stone pits with significant ground detail. Part of the formerly mapped area is now being developed into a housing estate, but this is more than compensated by a new southern area, comprising ancient woodland and fields. Parts of the area are likely to be muddy unless there is a heavy frost.

Dog restrictions

Please keep under control and clear up any mess. Note that the competition area is very popular with dog walkers.

Facilities

None. Note there are public toilets at the car park near the junction of Broad Street and Cuckfield High Street, some 600 metres west of the event car park. Post event, The Wheatsheaf is one of several local pubs offering hot and cold food.

Miscellaneous

A whistle and full leg cover are required. Orange and yellow make use of open areas and, in January, you need to be sure runners will be warm enough. All courses are very muddy unless frozen and involve some steep descents. Make sure shoes are adequate.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Les Hooper

Organiser:

Controller: