Ball Grove ParkSun 18 January, 2026
Local level event
Explanation of Event levels
- Training events are non competitive events 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.
- Local events are usually low key and in the 'localised' area, ideal for newcomers to try the sport. Most clubs run some 'mini series' throughout the year as local mid week events.
- 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 or the annual JK competition.
Results
Report
Planner’s Comments:
Today was brilliant! First O-event using the new O-map of Ball Grove Park and the first introductory O-event for many of the participants.
It was a privilege to be both the mapper and the planner. The map was initially set up in late 2024 at 1:3000 scale, followed in 2025 by the realisation that the area stretched further eastwards to the sharp bend of the (river) Colne Water. The map became 1:4000 landscape, and the event could then accommodate both Green (3.9k) and Red (4.8k) courses, without too much repetition! Hence today’s event.
I estimated 50 competitors would enter our Local event, but was surprised by an entry of almost double that! (Nothing else on, perhaps?) That put pressure on the Start team, who admirably coped with the extras. The staff at Lakeside Café (our Assembly and Download point) were also surprised by the extra numbers! The queue for sustenance and beverage, at one point, snaking out of the door and into the competition area! I trust you all enjoyed the venue.
The courses: Yellow for young folk and adult first timers – an ideal area. Orange (shorter) and Red (longer) for progressing competitors – ideal. Light Green – more difficult navigation – again, an ideal area. Green – a bit contrived to get the distance and technical difficulty, but still well received, apart from one competitor who mis-punched 128 (lone tree), instead of 138 (between the hedges). Competitor error, except that these two controls were less than 30m apart by 5m! Planner error, which would have been spotted by a controller had today been a Regional event. My apologies to anyone adversely affected by this, but the results stand as there are no BOF Ranking Points at stake.
I also manned the Finish for half of the time. Smiles from most competitors, curses from a few, a hug from a friend and several requests for photos of proud finishers. You can picture the scene: competitor(s) by the FINISH banner, the lake, some tall trees, ducks or gulls and broad smiles of success and reward! Oh … and grey skies beyond. It drizzled a bit, but hey-ho, nobody cared!
No prizes, no ranking points, just enjoyment of being out and about, doing something new (for some), therapeutic (for others) and refreshing for the wise and the old!
Thanks are due, of course, to all PFO members, and others, who stayed on to disassemble the O-kit ready for storage and the next event. Your help is much appreciated.
All in all, I enjoyed today and all the preparations. I believe you did too!
George Crawford-Smith PFO
Planner.
RouteGadget
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Go to the Pendle Forest Routegadget now
This is local morning event at Ball Grove Park, near Colne. Ball Grove Park is another new area for PFO.
Location Info
Near: Colne Lat,Lng: 53.85930,-2.13990 Postcode: BB8 7HZ
Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap -
Streetmap (OS 50k)
OpenStreetMap -
BingMap (OS 50k)
Directions / Parking
Event centre: Lakeside Cafe. Open 10:00 until 15:00.
Parking: Main upper car park (free) on Ball Grove Drive. Vehicles over 2m high should be aware that there is an openable height barrier at the car park entrance, However, if locked, you can park on the roadside above or below the road bend.
The car park entrance at is at W3W ///arena.outsmart.paper
Nearest postcode BB8 7HZ
Please do not use the lower car park, which is used by regular locals.
Map / Terrain
Map notes:
The event map is 1:4000 for all courses, using the ISSprOM symbol set, and printed on waterproof paper.
The Yellow course is printed on one side.
All other courses have double-sided maps, with a map-flip required at the given control.
Terrain notes:
The competition area lies between the main A6068 (Colne to Cross Hills road) and the river Colne Water – both are out of bounds. In addition to the path network, there is a patchwork of woodland, parkland and rough open land. There are two lakes, plus areas of marshland, some of which is best avoided. The woodland is mostly runnable with patches of thicket and low brambles.
Registration and Start times
Start times from 11:00 - 12:00.
Courses close at 14:00.
Course Information
Provisional course details.
| Course: | Length: | Climb: | Controls: | Technical difficulty: |
| Green | 3.9k | 75m | 24 | TD5: Very difficult. |
| Light Green | 3.3k | 50m | 20 | TD4: Difficult. |
| Red | 4.8k | 80m | 21 | TD3: Moderately difficult, long. |
| Orange | 2.5k | 45m | 15 | TD3: Moderately difficult. |
| Yellow | 1.8k | 40m | 15 | TD2: Short and easy. |
Long legwear is recommended.
Entry Details
Registration: ALL entries must be made through SiEntries. There will be no EOD.
When entering please choose a start block (15 minute window). Please choose an early start time if you anticipate being out for a long time.
If you are entering as a pair (or small group), it is only necessary to register one lead name, pay for one entry and hire one dibber, if required.
Entries will close on Friday 16th January, but entries made on or after 15th January will be subject to map availability and will be at a higher price.
Dibber hire: If you do not possess a dibber** (SI-card) you must book and pay £1 when entering on-line.
Your hired dibber can only be picked up at the Event Centre.
[**Note: £40 charge if dibber is lost or broken during the hire period.]
Entry fees for BOF-members:
| Senior (26+) | Young Adult (21-25) | Junior (U21) | |
| Up to 14/01/2026 | £7.00 | £5.00 | £3.00 |
| From 15/01/2026 | £9.00 | £6.00 | £4.00 |
Entry fees for non-members:
| Senior (26+) | Young Adult (21-25) | Junior (U21) | |
| Up to 14/01/2026 | £8.00 | £5.50 | £3.00 |
| From 15/01/2026 | £10.00 | £6.50 | £4.00 |
Dog restrictions
Dogs are permitted, under control. Please clear up after your dog.
Facilities
Event Centre: Lakeside Cafe. Open 10:00 until 15:00. Cooked meals, burgers, snacks, hot & cold drinks. Cash only.
Indoor toilet at the cafe.
Miscellaneous
Insurance: From 1st January 2026, participants who are not members of British Orienteering will no longer be covered by British Orienteering’s public liability insurance. By entering any event from 1st January 2026, you acknowledge that you are taking part at your own risk. For example, if you were to accidentally injure a member of the public or damage property during the event, you would not be covered. British Orienteering’s public liability insurance used to cover non-members at events before this date.
General enquiries: ginnya12 (at) gmail.com
BOF event: 86915
Contacts / Officials
Planner: George Crawford-Smith PFO
Organiser: Ginny Anderson PFO