Baddow RidgeSun 19 Sept
EAL & HAVOC Club Champs and SWELL Regional Event
Regional level event
Explanation of Event levels
Local events are usually low key and in the 'localised' area, ideal for newcomers to try the sport and Training events are non competitive and used for training and coaching, aimed at members of the club, but they can attract people from neighbouring clubs, and are often ideal for newcomers to try the sport. Regional events attract participants from around the local Region, National events are high quality competitions that will attract people from far away, Major events are Major Events such as a British Championships.
Terrain type: Woodland
Results
Report
Officials' Comments
Organiser: Rachel Barford, rachel.archer@talk21.com
It's great when an Organiser has the luck to work with a team of willing and positive volunteers, including an enthusiastic and capable Planner, as well as a supportive and friendly Controller. I was that lucky person today, and am grateful for the hard work of everyone around me. As far as I was concerned, today's uncharacteristically warm September weather was a real bonus to a great event - no rain in the computers, or mud on the toilet floor! I hope it didn't provide too much of a challenge to the runners in the woods, but I heard nothing but positive comments from the returning competitors, albeit some slightly bloody and bowed, but everyone appreciating the work that had gone into the challenging courses. Reflective comments too that maybe some navigational skills were a little rusty, but hopefully we gave the opportunity for people to get some much needed practise.
It's always a challenge when Assembly/Download is a distance from the Start and Finish, but the space and facilities provided by the accommodating and friendly St John's School we felt were worth the extra walk, and added to a successful event.
I am most grateful to the volunteers who put in their valuable time and efforts, and hope that everyone enjoyed their day.
Rachel Barford
Planner: Ian Hargreaves
I was happy to be asked to plan this event as it constituted the shortest possible distance to an event, the area being literally at my door. Hopefully, I was able to use my knowledge of the woods to take you to some areas not frequently visited on previous events. I tried to utilise the nicest areas for the majority of the courses.
I purposely kept the course distances at the lower end of their respective ranges as Baddow Ridge is deceptively physical. Something I heard competitors mention at the finish. However, it is the nature of the sport, and the job of the planner, to both physically and technically challenge the competitor, within the guidelines of the specific course.
The woods are well used by members of the general public, and the fine September weather did give me some concerns that we may see elevated numbers of dog walkers, bikers, ramblers on the day. Fortunately, the only interactions were positive, with people enquiring what was going on and whether they could participate.
As ever, orienteering events don’t happen by magic. It requires a lot work of by volunteers before, during and after the competitors have run. This was my first SOS event as planner, and first in over 10 years. As such, I lent on a few SOS regulars to show me the ropes. Thanks to Eddie for helping sort the permissions and for liaising with Essex Wildlife Trust to ensure their areas of interest were protected, along with our ongoing use of the area. Thanks to Kevin for updating the map with the latest Lidar and additional features ahead of the event. Thanks to Steven for the crash course in all things SI. Thanks to the Controller Graham for his input on the courses before the event and his work on the day. Thanks to the Organiser Rachel who marshalled the troops and ensured that the event ran smoothly from start to finish. Thanks to the volunteers who helped run the start in the woods, and those in the event centre at the school. Additional thanks to Roger for volunteering to help collect controls.
As a bonus, the rain kept off until everything was packed away!
Officials
Organiser: Rachel Barford, rachel.archer@talk21.com - 01255 852984.
Planner: Ian Hargreaves SOS
Controller: Graham Batty HAVOC
Overview
Courses suitable for all levels of ability and experience - contact the Organiser if unsure. SPORTident electronic punching will be used (SIAC NOT enabled)
Location Info
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Near: Danbury Lat,Lng: 51.71848,0.58232 OS Grid Ref: TL784053 Postcode: CM3 4FH What3Words: ///stuns.update.reduction
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Directions / Parking
OsignpostedfromtheA414Danbury.
Parking and event centre at St John’s C of E Primary School, Little Baddow Road, Danbury, CM3 4NS.
Please contact the organiser if you are bringing a coach or other large vehicle. Car parking is limited – please car share if possible. Car park charge £1 (please have change ready)
Map / Terrain
Mature mixed woodland.
1:7,500 5m contours.
At time of writing (10/9/21) “Wet” features are particularly dry New mountain bike tracks appear often and not all are mapped The vegetation is particularly high in places
The various Out of Bounds MUST be respected to ensure continued use of the woods. Paths alongside or through OOB areas CAN be used.
The golf course (tees, fairways, greens) must not be entered at any time.
Access to the start/finish will be via a taped route from the Event Centre and a minor road crossing – take care on the road Under 16s to be accompanied by adult from Event Centre to Start
Course Information
| Course | Controls | Length(km) | Climb(m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown | 27 | 7.6 | 200 |
| Blue | 23 | 5.8 | 160 |
| Green | 20 | 4.0 | 125 |
| Short Green | 14 | 3.0 | 70 |
| Light Green | 14 | 3.1 | 65 |
| Orange | 12 | 2.7 | 65 |
| Yellow | 9 | 1.9 | 50 |
| White | 14 | 1.4 | 25 |
Entry Details
£10 seniors (£8 members of British Orienteering) £3 juniors (under 21) and students.
SI card ('dibber') hire £1. Hired dibbers will be available for collection at Enquiries at the Event Centre.
There will be a £1 per car parking charge which will be collected on arrival.
Registration and Start times
In order to reduce transmission of Covid-19 and to protect our Times volunteers, we strongly request that you pre-enter using Fabian-4 here. Deadline for entries Friday 17th September midnight.
Entry on day only available by contacting Organiser via email before 7 a.m. on day of event to state your intention of entering on the day.
Please contact the Organiser if you are bringing a large number of competitors or school/youth group. Entry forms for school groups are available here.
Starts between 10:30 to 12.30. Start times WILL be pre- allocated. Please arrive at the event centre at least 30 minutes before your start time, as there is a 15 minute taped walk to the Start. Please follow marshalls’ instructions at the Start.
Courses close at 14:30 - you must report to the download point by 14:45. Download located at the event centre.
Facilities
GuidanceforbeginnersavailablefromtheEnquiriespointat event centre.
Toilet available at event centre.
Please be COVID-aware. Please be aware of social distancing and respect the wishes of others to keep a distance.
Hand gel available in toilet and at Enquiries at event centre. First Aid located at Enquiries at event centre.
No drinks provided – please bring your own refreshments. No key drop available but bags can be accommodated at Enquiries
Dog restrictions
No dogs on school premises.
Contacts / Officials
Organiser - Rachel Barford rachel.archer@talk21.com 01255 852984
Contact on day 07505 100403.
Planner – Ian Hargreaves SOS
Controller – Graham Batty HAVOC
Nearest A&E Hospital
Safety Notes
First aid will be available at the Enquiries point.
If you have a medical condition we need to know about please download and fill in the medical form here.
Place it in a sealed envelope with your name clearly on the outside. Hand this to the Enquiries point in the assembly area where the First Aiders will keep it in confidence for the duration of the event; to be collected unopened at the end of the event.