Danbury CommonSun 19 Mar
Regional CC, ESSOL, and HAVOC Club Champs.
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
Organisers Report
Well I finally persuaded Jackie to plan a level C event and as I suspected she was brilliant. There was lots of positive feedback from the runners for her courses. Danbury is what can only be described as a compact area and she made the most of all of it. We had to restrict the Green and Blue courses to 16+ ages as the road crossing was too hazardous. We did put signs up warning the traffic but the marshals reported it did not seem to slow the cars down so it was the correct decision.
Working with John is always a pleasure. He can be relied on for sound advice and good humour at all times .Thanks should also go to his daughter Ann who helped with checking controls on the day. Our team of club volunteers did their usual wonderful job and made my life so easy. We cant run these events without them. Even the weather behaved onthe day.
The car park at Danbury is also compact so thanks to all the visitors for parking considerately and following the marshals instructions. It was a bit like Tetris at one point!
Lastly thank you all for coming and enjoying our event. See you at the next one
Julie Laver
Planners Report
This was my first attempt at planning courses at a Regional event, and I had originally said ‘no’ to Julie – but she can be very persuasive! John Collyer was assigned as the Controller – so I was in good hands whenever I needed assistance!
So, about six weeks ago I set about the planning of the courses. Luckily I live very near the Common, so it was quite easy for me to pop down and check out my planned control sites, and have a wander round, looking for interesting areas. When I first started looking, the whole common was bone dry, and I was worrying that I wouldn’t be able to place the stakes – as it happened – that wasn’t a problem! I drafted my courses, and with a bit of feedback from John, regarding ‘doglegs’ and ‘butterfly loops’, I eventually managed to create some courses which seemed to be acceptable, and with a bit of fine tuning, they were ready for the big day!
I set out early with my husband Alan (as my pack-horse!), and managed to get all of the controls in place by 9.15, then it was time for a quick cuppa, before I checked out the start & that the final bits & pieces of tapes & signage were in place. One of the main concerns I had was regarding the potential for an accident with a mountain biker – but it all passed off peacefully, and there didn’t seem to be as many bikers as usual – perhaps they didn’t like the mud!
Anyway – the event eventually got underway – and finally some finishers came into view. It was a great relief when they got to download and everything was OK! I got to chat with quite a few orienteers, and the vast majority had managed to get round OK, and did seem to have enjoyed their run. It was very wet & muddy – and there were quite a few stories of mishap among the brambles & ‘bomb holes’ of Danbury Common. Thank you for all the feedback on the courses, if I get asked back again, I will try to remember it! Several of you mentioned that you ‘enjoyed’ the mix of long & short legs, and that some of the challenges which I set, seemed to have worked.
A big thank you to John, Kevin, Julie & Alan who all helped me planning my first event, and thank you to all the other volunteers on the day, who helped make the event a success.
Jackie Sibthorpe
Controller Comments.
Danbury Common has a surprising number of large features, hidden amongst the trees, and I think Jackie’s Planning made good use of the area. The map had not been updated since pre-Covid and much time was taken mapping and checking on the many paths that have evolved since then.
We had one comment about control 221 (spring against fence on east edge of map – position probably a bit higher on map along fence) and looking at the results of legs into it, doesn’t seem to have had a significant effect on positions into and out of the site.
Thank you for all the kind comments, and the team of workers who gave their time to make the event so enjoyable.
John Collyer
Location Info
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Near: Danbury Lat,Lng: 51.70948,0.57717 OS Grid Ref: TL781043 Postcode: CM3 4JH What3Words: ///brief.hence.youngest
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Directions / Parking
Parking will be in the National Trust car park. Signposted from the A414 double roundabouts on Danbury Main Rd.
Parking is limited so please follow the instructions of the marshals. There are likely to be other users of the common so please park considerately.
Map / Terrain
Mixed woodland and some open areas and heath.
1:7,500 Updated for the event.
Course Information
White to Blue courses including Short Green.
SI punching
Courses close at 14.30. All participants must report to download even if they have not completed their course.
| White | 1.3km 12 Controls 30m climb |
| Yellow | 1.9km 16 controls 40m climb |
| Orange | 2.4km 15 control 40m climb |
| Light Green | 3.7km 20 controls 65m climb |
| Short Green | 3.7 km 13 controls 70m climb |
| Green | 5.1km 23 controls 70m climb |
| Blue | 5.5km 21 controls 95m climb (2 sided map) |
Apart from White, Yellow and Orange, the more technical courses often weave around due to the small area we have to use. Some of these have loops in them where you have to visit a control that you have punched earlier on. You still need to punch them in the order on the map/course description.
On Danbury Common the dips and hollows often fill and empty their waters in no particular order, so ponds become marshes or dry depressions and vice versa, can be dry and then fill with water.
Both of the Green & Blue courses cross the main road twice (there & back), this is a timed out crossing. The crossing is at the same place, it will be marshalled and you must follow the marshals instructions. The time out will be for 2 minutes , although you should be able to cross much quicker than this. Make sure you go to the control each side of the road, each time you cross.
None of the other courses go anywhere near the roads.
All of the maps will be A4, printed on waterproof paper. The Blue course map will be double sided.
The main mountain bike area is shown as Out of Bounds, however they use other areas, as well as the main paths back to the car parks, so take care at all times.
There is a single start for all of the courses, approx 100m from the main car park, this should take no more than 5 minutes. Follow the taped route.
Loose control descriptions will be available at the start.
All courses finish in the field adjacent to the car park, proceed to download once you have finished.
Entry Details
Adults £10
British Orienteering members £2 discount
Jnrs/students £3
SI card Hire £1
Registration and Start times
Pre-entry via Racesignup here Entries open 1st March and close 23.59 16th March 2023
First starts at 10.30. Last start 12.30.
Courses close at 14.30.
Facilities
Portaloo in carpark
Cake stall in aid of juniors activities. Hot drinks also available.
Dog restrictions
Well-behaved dogs on a lead
Contacts / Officials
Organiser Julie Laver julieannlaver@btinternet.com 07923656976
Nearest A&E Hospital
Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, CM1 7ET
NHS Urgent care search
Safety Notes
Blue and green courses have a road crossing which will be marshalled and timed out. Do not cross at any other point or you will be disqualified..
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult (over 18) on these courses
Mountain bikers frequently use this area and whilst the courses do not go near the main area they use the bikers can be found on any part of the common.
Most of the main paths are shown on the map, but there may be some smaller paths which are not shown
Dependant on the recent rainfall, some of the water features may or may not contain water
Look out for walkers, dogs, and mountain bikers on any of the paths
Take care, there are some steep drops in places on the Common
Some areas are quite brambly, leg cover is strongly recommended
Miscellaneous
There will be a presentation of SOS Junior League Trophies for 2022. Time to be confirmed.