Hockley WoodsSun 3 Apr

EA round of Yvette Baker Trophy

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

Planner's Comments

Thanks everyone for coming out to support the event, on what turned out to be a sunny but cold morning. As you are probably aware we are still suffering from the effects of Storm Eunice with our forests. On top of that this is the first time we have used the area since everyone rediscovered walking during COVID. This meant that there was a lot of work to do ingettingthemapaccurateenoughtoputonaneventofthissize. Alotofworkwasdoneto map the recently felled areas and those that were felled some time ago and are now overgrown. The routing of many old paths has changed and seasonal paths have come and gone. And following the storm, it soon became apparent that it was not going to be possible to reflect all the damage to the trees and the subsequent changes to runnability due to those that had fallen. Hopefully we managed to reflect the main changes, though I am aware that some people discovered some quite significant new tracks that they felt could have been mapped. The intention was that most of the routes to and areas near to controls, were as accurate as they could be. Thank you for all the appreciative comments. This event would not have gone ahead without the tireless efforts of the whole team and particularly I would like to thank John Collyer for his helpful advice and patience working with late courses and changes. Also Julie Laver, who calmly got on with organising her team, who all worked seamlessly to make the event a success. Congratulations to HH and to SOS for progressing in their competitions and to everyone for taking part.

Controller's Comments

There was quite a rush to get Hockley in place following the movement of our earlier postponed event at Writtle. Kevin in particular, spent several sessions updating the map, which needed a lot of work Post-Covid and after the recent storms which brought many trees down.
Congratulations to Happy Herts and SOS for winning their respective classes in the YBT trophy and good luck to them in the final.
It seemed a shame that there were only two entries in each class of the YBT, but as schools, clubs and youth groups had been severely curtailed during Covid, we hope that future years will bear more fruit.
John Collyer

Organisers Comments

After Writtle being so close to the Hockley event I was concerned that there would be volunteer fatigue but I should have known our club members are always more than happy to pitch in. The day for me went smoothly and I hope all our participants felt the same. Thanks to Kevin for all his mapping and planning efforts and John for his light touch and good humour keeping us in line.
Special thanks also to Rod Mansel who enabled us to have live results on the day to add extra excitement to the proceedings.
Also thanks to the team leaders of the Yvette Baker competitors for organising their runners and I hope they all enjoyed the day.
Julie Laver

Last updated: Tue 16 August, 2022

Overview

Regional Colour Coded incorporating EA regional round of the Yvette Baker Shield and Trophy. Rules appendix L

Entries via Racesignup Entries close at 23:59 on April 1st

Hockley Woods are the largest remaining area of the wild wood which covered Essex after the Ice Age 10,000 years ago. The woods are a complex mosaic of different trees.

Location Info

Near: Rayleigh
Lat,Lng: 51.59266,0.66001
OS Grid Ref: TQ847916
Postcode: SS5 4PA
What3Words: ///galaxy.danger.president

Open an interactive map in:
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Directions / Parking

Parking/registration at Belchamps Activity Centre
Holyoak Lane, Hawkwell, Hockley, Essex, SS5 4JD

Signposted from Main Road, Hawkwell..

Please contact the organiser if you are bringing a coach or other large vehicle.

£1 per car / Coaches £5– please have change ready.

TQ847916

galaxy.danger.president

Map / Terrain

Mature deciduous woodland, network of paths.

1:7,500 5m contours

Your course will be printed on your map on waterproof paper.

Course Information

CourseControlslengthClimb
White151.7 km15 m
Yellow132.1 km20 m
Orange173.5 km40 m
Light Green
133.6 km40 m
Short Green
144.1 km55 m
Green164.9 km65 m
Blue237.7 km90 m


Courses suitable for all levels of ability and experience - ask for advice if you are unsure which is the right one for you.

SI punching. SIAC enabled

Entry Details

Pre entry via Racesignup Closing date 11.59 1st April 2022

Or very limited EOD in carpark from 10.00 – 12.00 depending on availability of maps. First come first served.

If you are new to Orienteering please contact organiser for advice.

£10 seniors (£8 members of British Orienteering), £3 juniors (under 21) and students.

SI card (dibber) hire £1.

Parking Fee £1 per car collected on entry. Coaches £5

This event is the EA regional round of the YBT/YBS inter club Junior competitions.

Rules can be found https://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/rules appendix L

Team managers must notify the event organiser of their intention to compete at least two weeks before the competition.

There will be a presentation of medals to the 2021 EAUL category winners at 12.30 ish in the assembly area

Registration and Start times

Enquiries open from 10:00am. Start times 10:30am-12:30pm

Courses close 14:30

Facilities

Enquiries and dibber collection,

Toilets available at assembly

Refreshments available in aid of SOS Club Jnrs activities.

Bring your own mug!

Guidance for beginners available from the Enquiries point.

Dog restrictions

Dogs on leads allowed on courses but NOT in assembly area as this is a Scout camp.

Contacts / Officials

Organiser - Julie Laver

Planner - Kevin Machin

Controller - John Collyer

Nearest A&E Hospital

Southend Hospital Prittlewell Chase SS0 0RY 01702 435555
NHS Urgent care search

Safety Notes

There is a short walk along a minor public road to the start and from the finish to assembly area. Under 16’s must be accompanied both ways by an adult (over 18)

There may be some forestry work in the area. Runners will be advised on the day

Following the recent storms there are a lot of fallen trees. They will have some effect on courses. There are a number that are leaning and runners should avoid going under these trees if at all possible. A large number of rootstocks have been added to the map but there will be many more that have not been added as yet. Runability across some areas will be affected by the fallen trees.

There is also a piece of land that has been set aside by the farmer and most courses cross this land. Runners are asked to use the wide grass path between the rough open meadow and the cultivated land. The lines between the controls reflect this route.

Most Covid restricions have been removed now and as an outdoor activity Orienteering is low risk but please do not attend the event if you feel unwell and show consideration for other competitors in covered/indoor areas.

Miscellaneous

Hockley Woods are the largest remaining area of the wild wood, which covered Essex after the Ice Age 10,000 years ago.

The woods are a complex mosaic of different trees, each species growing where conditions are most favourable. Oak and sweet chestnut grow on the higher ground; birch on the most acidic soils; hornbeam on the wet clays; willow, hazel and ash along the streams.

Many of the plants in the wood, such as the wild service tree, wood anemone, wood spurge and cow-wheat will only grow on the undisturbed soils of ancient woods.

Hockley Woods have survived because they have been coppice managed as a valuable resource.