Autumn Intro Series (4/4)Dean CloughSun 20 October, 2019

Regional 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

History:

You have been treading in the footsteps of orienteering pioneers!

PFO is, we think, the second oldest constituted O club in England, forming just a couple of weeks after our neighbours SROC. But seldom do historical documents fall into our waiting laps.

Tony Thornley M70 (1st on Green) has sent me his original map / score course / control descriptions / results of what must have been the first ever Dean Clough event 49 years ago. 15th November 1970. (See images right.)

The map includes yesterday's competition area and surrounding countryside including Bowley Scout Camp (also mapped for orienteering).

Take a good look at the map and contemplate how you might have traversed the open countryside that much of the map depicts. There must have been some fence hopping that would be frowned on today. You may also notice a swing of magnetic north from 8° W of grid north in 1970 to 1° today.

Tony commented:
Enjoyed the run today. Fair controls and OK terrain. Thanks to all concerned. Attached is my map and results from 1970 - it was my first ‘proper’ event. Not many on the results list are still orienteering sadly.

Were you there?

Planner's comments:

It became apparent early in the planning process that the challenges using the area would include the numerous “uncrossable” fences, the problems of access across the fields to the starts and finish, a large reservoir slap bang in the middle of the competition area and creating a course long enough and challenging enough to offer a brown course.

Early site visits confirmed possible control sites and we even managed to identify some sites which would require an element of navigation not normally associated with open moorland.

In an attempt to add an element of route choice some courses were designed with longer legs from the north side of the reservoir to the south, giving the competitor the option of going west or east. Similarly some route choice was required in the latter stages on the brown.

Apologies for the uphill finish, unfortunately the limitations in parking pre-determined the location of the starts and finish.

Thanks to Jim Mitchell (controller) and George Crawford Smith (organiser) for their wisdom and advice.

Judith Wood - Planner.

Controller's Comments:

I can't say I'm very keen on post-event comments by event officials who say 'It was a pleasure working with X' or 'Y did a terrific job planning these excellent courses'. However, I really must congratulate Judith on her well-acclaimed courses, and thank her for all her hard work. I'm getting too old at 77 for this controlling lark, but if Judith plans a future PFO event, I'll be happy to be her controller.

Jim Mitchell (Event controller)

Organiser's Comments:

What a cracking day! Couldn't have asked for better, though the heavy shower midway reminded us of the realities of this season. The good turnout caused us some parking headaches, but our team sorted out extra space we hadn't planned for. It worked.

PFO was a bit stretched due to having two distant Starts and a distant Finish. Thankfully only short stretches of verge walking were necessary to get to and from. Crossing marshals were on hand to help young competitors if necessary and slow the traffic for all.

A big thank you to all competitors and an even bigger thank you to all PFO helpers, young and old, new and long standing alike. Too many to name, but you know who you are.

Someone commented that Dean Clough would be good for a night event. I agree. We did hold our NWNL event here in December 2013, so maybe it's time for another. Note: PFO's NWNL event this year will be on 7th December on our new area at Darwen Moor, followed by our Day event on 8th. See you there!

George Crawford-Smith - Organiser.

RouteGadget

Is a web browser app for sharing and comparing orienteering routes. You can draw your own route or upload a GPS track from your watch. It also allows you to watch an animated replay with a simulated mass start.

Go to the Pendle Forest Routegadget now

Last updated: Sun 11 April, 2021

Pre Event Info

IMPORTANT: This is a traditional MORNING event with first starts at 10:30. Previous events in this series have had afternoon starts.

Event 4 of 4 of our Autumn Series at Dean Clough Reservoir.

Location Info

Near: Langho
Lat,Lng: 53.79442,-2.44467
OS Grid Ref: SD708332
Postcode: BB6 8DU

Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap - Streetmap (OS 50k)
OpenStreetMap - BingMap (OS 50k)

Directions / Parking

In the large layby on Whalley Old Rd/York Rd just uphill from the Lord Nelson pub at York village. You may also be directed to roadside parking nearby. Nearest postcode is BB6 8DU.

Best approach from west, north or east is via A59 to the roundabout with the A666. Follow this to Langho (1k) then turn uphill on to York Lane, then after 400m, turn right uphill on to Snodworth Road, which then has a T-junction with York Road on the hilltop. Turn left and parking is then on your left.

From the south, approach via the Blackburn northern ring road.

Park as directed.

Map / Terrain

The area offers all standards of orienteering. Mostly open undulating rough pastures but with areas of detailed woodland and old quarry workings.

It is a condition of our permission to use the area that stock-proof walls and fences must only be crossed at stiles, gates or natural breaks. Mandatory or optional crossing points for your course will be marked on your course map. Competitors seen not using designated crossing points risk disqualification.

Ruined walls or fences may be crossed at any point.

Registration and Start times

Registration: from 10:00 to 12:00
Starts: From 10:30 to 12:30
Courses Close: At 14:30

Course Information

COURSE OFFER:
Course:Length:Climb:Start / Controls / Difficulty:
Yellow:2.1k85mNear / 6 controls / TD2 = Easy
Orange:2.7k120mNear / 7 controls / TD3 = Moderate
Light Green:3.8k130mNear / 11 controls / TD4 = Difficult
Short Green:3.2k120mNear / 8 controls / TD5 = Very difficult
Green:4.4k140mFar / 13 controls / TD5
Short Blue:4.6k140mFar / 16 controls / TD5
Blue:5.7k155mFar / 17 controls / TD5
Brown:7.0k170mFar / 21 controls / TD5

On some courses there are route choices around an uncrossable reservoir. The leg line will pass through the reservoir, but is broken to indicate there are choices.

There are a number of places on the map where several paths join together, often with gates or stiles. To avoid further cluttering the map, purple course crossing point symbols have been omitted.

STARTS & FINISH: Marshals will be on hand to ensure safe crossing of the main road en route.

Near Start NEW INSTRUCTION: 1.1k from Registration along a busy road margin for the first 150m, turn right over a stile. Then across fields for 950m. Fields may contain docile horses. Allow 15-20 minutes.

Far Start NEW INSTRUCTION: 1.85k from Registration along a busy road margin for the first 150m, turn right over a stile. Then across fields for 600m, which may contain docile horses. Turn LEFT over a stile on to a quiet but narrow public road for 1.1k . Allow 20-30 minutes.

Both routes are the same for the first 750m, at which point the Near Start route branches right through fields and the Far Start brakes left. Parents should accompany children to this point.

The return from the Finish (all courses) to Download is 700m, part of which is along a busy road margin. Take care. Marshals on duty to assist with road crossing.

All competitors MUST report to Download, whether they have completed their course or retired.

Please always give way to other users in the area.

WEATHER: Much of the area is exposed. If wind and/or rain are likely the controller may make wearing or carrying wind/waterproof jackets mandatory. Be prepared and watch for signs. If it is also cold, hats, gloves and thermal layers may be advisable.

FORECAST: As at 18th October. Cloudy bright, light winds, but cool with low risk of rain.

Entry Details

EOD only.
Adults
(M/W21+) £7.00,
Juniors (M/W20-) £3.00.
Dibber hire £1.00 but £40 if lost!

Dog restrictions

Dogs must not be taken around courses as this is sheep country. After your run, dogs may be exercised responsibly in the competition area. Leads and doggie etiquette please.

Facilities

Portaloo toilet at Registration.
The Lord Nelson pub in York village will be open from 12 noon for food and drink. It is 250m downhill from Registration.

Miscellaneous

BOF event number: 76114

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Judith Wood PFO
Controller: Jim Mitchell PFO
Organiser: George Crawford-Smith

For general enquiries, contact: