One small pink hooded Kangol top. Please phone 01904 415608 to claim it.
Since the last map of Raincliffe, 6 years ago, the undergrowth has changed very significantly. Our original plans to run competitors through certain blocks of forest & open were soon dashed when we established brambles and scrub had taken over. However, there are also areas, which have opened out. A decision was made to incorporate changes in a new map, albeit mainly associated with the planned courses. Our thanks go to Dennis Hooton and David Sowden in providing the new map.
One major restriction we came across was a landslip at a major path junction towards the top of the wood. Although this was passable with great care, we felt that it should be deemed Out of Bounds (there was also the possibility that further erosion would take place before the event). As a result, courses were planned with routing controls to take either lower routes through the open field or the top path to avoid the hazard.
Raincliffe is renowned for being wet and muddy, but the conditions on the day were the worst we had seen. Despite this, we were impressed with your determination to meet the challenge and bring back your constructive comments. Thank you for competing and making it worthwhile.
For those who spotted the large Deer in the wood, they were in fact Llamas (yes brown ones, about 7 foot tall). They had escaped that morning from an adjacent farm. Unlike deer, instead of running in the opposite direction, they are more prone to be inquisitive and approach you. Hopefully, for the odd competitor who had to make a diversion, it didn't detract too much from the orienteering. The news at the end of the day was good - they were rounded up and taken back to the farm!
I'd like to thank Kevin and Karel Holland for organising the day so well, and also to the 'SI team', Dave Binks and Sue Adams for their technical expertise in programming the blocks and running the computing side.
Finally, thanks to the many helpers for their support on the Saturday and Sunday - Brian & Cathie for putting out Stakes & Control Blocks, Maggie & John, Steve et al for bringing in controls. Thanks also go to Dennis Hooton, our Controller, for his patience and constructive comments throughout the weeks leading up to the event.
Peter & Dawn Watson
Congratulations to everyone involved with this event. The planners, Peter and Dawn, had a difficult job. Firstly the initial map they had was badly out of date. If a new one hadn't been drawn then each course would have had a lot of corrections to mark on. Secondly the dangerous landslide made planning difficult for most courses. They spent many hours altering courses so that youngsters in particular had a pleasant run. They did an excellent job.
Kevin and Karel's organisation ran very smoothly. Helpers were superb especially those at the start and finish and on car parking duty in the bad weather. It was particularly fortunate to have the sports hall considering the bad weather.
Lots of good comments from many competitors and you have to admit the wood looked superb with all the winter colours. Pity about the rain.
Hope no one missed the string course. I cancelled it due to the weather. On reflection it might be worth considering letting everyone pre mark there map in future events if the conditions are extreme.
Dennis Hooton
Being an organiser is a bit like being a best man at a wedding - you have to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day, deal with any awkward guests, and then thank everyone at the end (whilst staying sober all the way through, of course!) So…..
Thanks to everyone who was involved with the event, including the landowners, Keith Macdermott for obtaining permissions, and all the helpers (particularly those who had to brave the elements). Thank goodness for waterproof clothing! When Peter Bean appeared back at the school after single-handedly setting up a start worthy of the British Champs he looked like he'd just been out on a stormy North Sea catching his fish supper! Thanks Peter, your skills are much appreciated!
See you next time…..
Kev Holland