Christmas ScoreStanmerFri 27 December, 2024

Report

Stanmer Park is usually such an attractive place to run and has a very interesting history. The wide paths have been used in the past by Canadian soldiers in their preparations for WW2, practicing their Tank driving skills.

You might have wondered if the Canadians had returned with their tanks, but no, the paths have recently been churned up by huge forestry equipment in the Council’s attempt to remove all the Ash trees (due to Ash dieback). I’d visit one day with ideas for control sites and the next week, I’d have difficulty in recognising the area. Small paths, and even some not so small, were eradicated, while the large wide paths became more akin to mud baths for hippos, and whole areas felled of the poor Ash.

Usually around Stanmer we have a two-loop score course, meaning you have to go around it twice and those not so fast runners don’t get to dib many controls. I thought it would be fun (and that’s of course what we need after a few days of Christmas food, TV, and little movement) to have a bit of brain work, and the chance for everyone to get loads of beeps!

My thanks go to Joe Barratt for finding an SI programme that was able to cope with my puzzle, while allowing the results for the Elizabeth Brown trophy to be calculated. And thanks also to Penny Parker, who provided additional SI support, having walked an hour to get to Stanmer, even though not taking part.

Many thanks too to Steve Blount, for providing calm and extremely helpful support, not only with day-to-day matters, but also when all around me seemed to be falling apart. Neil Crickmore managed my map update requests with his usual efficiency, and I caught him mapping before work on at least one occasion. Thanks to Neil too for allowing me to go rogue with my score course!

Mike Gammon, was super-efficient with printing the maps – many thanks Mike.

Linda Hulley, complete in Christmas cheer, was brilliant in providing gate assistance at the start – after another very late change to the map and of course huge thanks to the cheerful control collectors, who go out again to bring everything back; Little Dave, Euan and Liam Marsh and Chris Hooker – what stars!

Anna, Pete, Ben, Emma and Bridget did a fantastic job providing us with welcoming very tasty, mulled wine (full strength and non-alcoholic versions) – Thank you!

And I would also like to thank you all for coming and supporting our Elizabeth Brown Trophy event – it was great to have such a good turnout. Elizabeth was a truly remarkable lady and top-class orienteer. Well done to Kenny Leitch for winning the Elizabeth Brown Memorial Trophy this year!

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

We will be offering free mulled wine, hot fruit punch and mince pies after the event. Please contribute some mince pies to share if you can. Please also bring your own cup for the mulled wine.

Location Info

Nearest town: Brighton

• Postcode: *
• Lat,Lng:50.86379,-0.09660
• 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

Lower Lodges pay and display car parks:

• Grid Reference: TQ342087
• Post Code: BN1 9PY
• what3words:asserts.prove.codes

A parking fee applies: Up to 2 hours - £1.90. Up to 4 hours - £3.00. Up to 8 hours - £5.90. Pay via one of the following methods:

• Pay by Phone
• App
• Phone Call 273 458458.

Parking is quite limited so please car share if possible. Additional parking is available at Sussex University, only a short walk away but more expensive.

Public Transport

0.4 miles from Falmer Railway Station, 10 mins walk.

Course Information

60 minute score event

• collect up to 21 different controls in any order. 10 points per control. 10 extra points are available for:
  • every 3 consecutive 70s punched (in any order), individual controls can only appear in one set of three.
  • every 3 consecutive 90s punched (in any order), individual controls can only appear in one set of three
  • punching 100 as your final control before finishing
  • Maximum possible score 280 points (controls can only be punched once)

Scoring example: 72 75 76 90 92 91 97 95 99 70 71 73 78 79 100 would score 200 (15 controls, 4 x triplets, 100 as last control)

45 minute score event

• collect up to 20 different controls in any order.
• 10 points per control.
• Maximum score possible is 200 points.

You may run on which ever course you wish but to be eligible for the Elizabeth Brown Memorial Trophy or an age related prize you must enter as follows:

• Elizabeth Brown Memorial Trophy 60 Minute Score
• M/W14- 45 Minute Score
• M/W18- 60 Minute Score
• M/W Open 60 Minute Score
• M/W50+ 60 Minute Score
• M/W65+ 60 Minute Score

An age related points system is used to determine the winner of the Elizabeth Brown Memorial Trophy - From the BOF rulebook there are running speed ratios for age classes (male and female separately), in section 7 of Appendix B: Course Planning. The actual score is adjusted proportionately according to the ratio in the table (except for M10/W10 where we have applied sensible ratios ourselves because BOF use different course data for those classes) by dividing by the ratio. If anybody gets maximum points then their score is multiplied by 60 divided by their finishing time.

In addition to the Elizabeth Brown Trophy, there are prizes for the first female & male in each category.

Entry Details

Online entry only via Racesignup. Entries close 8pm on 26th December (No entry on the day).

SO/BOF members: Seniors £7.00, Juniors £3.50, SO Juniors free (use discount code SOjuniors).

Non members: Seniors £9.00, Juniors £3.50

'Dibber' hire: Electronic punching (SI) chips are available to hire. SIAC (contactless): £2.00 (£1.00 Juniors), non-SIAC (not contactless) £1.00 (50p juniors)

Registration

9.45am - 10.45am.

Start Times

From 10.00am - 11.00am. Course closes 12.15pm.

Terrain Description

Stanmer Park is an 18th century country estate, former residence of generations of the Pelham family, extending from the South Downs to the edge of Brighton. During World War 2, it was requisitioned for Canadian tank-drivers to practise their warfare skills, and in 1947 the Pelhams decided to sell up to Brighton Corporation. It is now Brighton and Hove’s largest park.
The mainly runnable woodland (yew, Caucasian wingnut, Lebanese cedar, apple, common lime, horse chestnut, sweet chestnut, and elm) consists of a plateau dropping down (steeply in places) to open areas in a small valley, with Stanmer house and the tiny hamlet of Stanmer, including tea rooms (may be open).
Due to recent forestry work, some of the main paths are now muddy and very rutted. While great care has been taken to update the map, there may be additional mountain bike tracks that have appeared. Some small paths can be difficult to see due to leaf fall and/or forestry work. There are some steep slopes in the area (which can be avoided by route choice).
There are many branch hides built by children (young and old) thoughout the area, some quite substantial. However since these come and go at frequent intervals none have been mapped. A black cross on the map normally represents a bench or seat.

Dog restrictions

Keep your dog in sight, under close control and on a short lead in busy areas. Clear up after your dog.

Facilities

There is a cafe and toilets by the car park as well as a children's play area.

Miscellaneous

Safety Bearing: Head east to the open area, then head south along the open area/lane to the assembly area/car park. You must report to Download even if you do not finish.

Other Users: The area is popular with dog walkers and cyclists, please give them plenty of room to pass.

Event History: On Boxing Day 1978 Elizabeth Brown founded - with a couple of her Orienteering friends - what was to eventually become the SO Xmas event. The first event was at Banstead Wood in Surrey, and over the years the event took a number of formats, but from 1997 on it has been a score event. For many years Elizabeth was the event organiser, and following her passing in May 2011 it was felt that it would be a fitting tribute to rename the annual Christmas event in her memory.

Elizabeth was a top-class Orienteer, in the early years of SO, Elizabeth was the club's undisputed star. She helped put SO on the map. She regularly won the British Championship and the JK throughout her Orienteering career, and twice won gold at the World Masters Championships, first as a W80, then 10 years later as a W90.

Elizabeth collected a lot of trophies along the way and the club are indebted to Elizabeth's family for donating a splendid and unique slate W70 trophy from the 1992 JK at Bigland in the Lake District to be presented each year at the "Elizabeth Brown Memorial" SO Xmas event.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Jane Lambert

Organiser:

Controller: