Definitely a day of challenges in more ways than one.

A “Very Well Done Indeed!” is in order to Nigel Lydon for his preparations and on-the-day work as Organiser of his first Level C Event – definitely a recommendation to British Orienteering to insert ‘Level C Organiser’ in Nigel’s ‘My Qualifications’ list. As one small example, Nigel’s response to being asked to produce a comprehensive ‘Final Details’ sheet in no more than one side of A4 for the Club web site, and an edited version available on the day, was a model that others should seek to emulate. His enthusiasm to get everything on-the-day as correct as possible was very heartening to see.

Roger Phillips is to be congratulated on producing a range of challenging courses within the Guidelines to suit all abilities – no easy task in an area with the physical constraints of a side road, an adjacent Golf Course, a railway line running through the middle, an area in the south-east used regularly in the past that suddenly became OOB, a multitude of paths, and more dog walkers than one could shake a stick at! Needless to say the recent rainy season and the torrential downpour through part of Saturday into Sunday made underfoot conditions more taxing for competitors. I am certain that Roger will be regularly asked to plan Events at all Levels for the Club in the foreseeable future.

The majority of competitor comments were favourable but a small number of control sites caused a mixture of elation and despair, notably a couple of holly bushes (shown as small thickets on the map legend), and a ditch bend visited by three of the longer courses – looking at the splits and talking to competitors revealed a variety of approaches and range of times, together with comment on both the mapping and the use of these particular control sites. It should be noted that all sites were visited more than once by Planner and Controller and were marked by white tape with either black or purple numerals – I found in my visits round the area white, silver and blue tapes that were not related to the event and removed them, though obviously not all, as was noted in some of the comments regarding one of the two disputed holly bush sites. A lesson there to Planners, Controllers and Control Collectors - please always collect in the tapes post event and also those found whilst preparing for an event.

The debate, started on Sunday, of how mappers decide on including distinctive features such as holly bushes, obviously seen more easily in winter than in very late Spring/early Summer with other trees in leaf and with growing undergrowth, together with whether or not said bushes, if reasonably near to each other, should be shown as larger composite thickets, will take place at a later date at LEI Fixtures and Mapping Committee meetings, as will responses to the request that areas such as Burbage are only used in what was once known as the ‘Orienteering Season’ – from mid-September to late May – and not at other times.

The new ‘Franchise Holders’ at the Visitor Centre were very pleased with the custom that the Event brought and they spoke very highly of the courtesy and attention of competitors in making as little mess as possible - we will be welcome back and the Permanent Course will be publicised on behalf of both visitors and the Club.

Finally, a gentle but very firm slap on the wrist and a reminder – always report to Download if you register to take part in the Event – the one person who did not caused extra work and stress to the Organiser and his assistants, particularly with a car park used not just by orienteers but also ‘Joe and Josephine Public’ – it was finally ascertained that the person in question had left, probably with relatives. Even with a passenger/buddy system in place I am recommending that all competitors provide contact details such as a home and/or mobile phone number on their registration form at all events.

Ernie Williams