Autumn Series, event (1/4)Gawthorpe HallSat 01 October, 2022

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

Dear Jim & Mary

Just thought you'd like to know that your Gawthorpe event was well received by all. Sorry you couldn't be there to meet old friends and give encouragement as you always do. I've lost count of the number of people who said it was you, Jim, who introduced them either to orienteering or to PFO. Everyone is grateful for your input over so many years.

Your courses were well received with some very fast times posted on the longer courses. Only one oddity - some wag, on finding that they couldn't nick our secured controls, had tried to upset the event by burying control 114 under a load of brashings. We apologise hereby to all competitors who were inconvenienced, which could have been anyone as 114 was on all courses - but once reported, the obstruction was quickly removed. Some competitors encountered some over-friendly horses whilst crossing between stiles, but walking rather than running calmed them down. On the plus side, the forecast of a 35% chance of rain held off until the very last competitor was on his final few controls.

We should pass on your thanks to all helpers, but especially Ginny & Maggie (relatively new to orienteering), who shouldered the job of putting out all your controls, faultlessly, after only a little tuition and rehearsal!

We will all be thinking of you.

George CS - Organiser

In Memoriam: It is with great sadness I must report that Jim Mitchell (your Gawthorpe planner) passed away today (3/10/2022). His participation in orienteering and encouragement of others goes back to the beginning of O-time. Jim, it seems, knew everyone and remembered their names. On the Start Line, his favourite volunteering job, or in the car park, he always had a friendly word. We'll miss his canny rhetoric and his one line quiz questions. For many years to come, Jim will hold the PFO record for the most number of events run in a year.

RIP, Jim.

RouteGadget

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Last updated: Tue 04 October, 2022

Important note: This is a MORNING event with first starts at 10:30.

Event 1 of 4 of our Autumn Series.

If you are a first time competitor, Gawthorpe Hall is a great venue to learn about orienteering as a sport and as healthy recreation for all the family. Regular orienteers will enjoy the longer, more technical courses.

Gawthorpe Hall website is here.

Location Info

Near: Padiham, Burnley
Lat,Lng: 53.80147,-2.29759
OS Grid Ref: SD806340
Postcode: BB12 8UA

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

Directions / Parking

Gawthorpe Hall is brown signed off the A671 in Padiham. O-signs will be deployed as the turn is somewhat awkward especially when approaching from the Burnley direction (tight right turn).

Best approach from the south and west is to exit the M65 at J8, then north on the A6068 towards Padiham. Turn right (east) at the first set of traffic lights, Follow the A671 through Padiham for 1 mile to Gawthorpe Hall entrance gates (easy left turn). The single track access road has a number of tarmac passing places - please use courteously.

The public car park (on your left) has been expanded (entrance at what.three.words ///crowbar.universes.stole). Please park here - no charge. If there is a need, you will be directed to an overflow parking area. Take care, as the access road and car park are also pedestrian areas.

The route to the Start and Dibber collection/Download will be via the cobbled yard. Watch for signs and tapes.

Map / Terrain

The area is comprised of formal gardens surrounding the hall beyond which is a large amount of woodland both young and mature. Much of the rhododendron cover in the woodland has been removed making for easier progress. In addition to the usual variation of vegetation there are many contour and water features. The area is bounded to the north by the River Calder.

Gawthorpe Hall is a National Trust property with extensive grounds. First built in Elizabethan times then redesigned and rebuilt in the 1850s, Gawthorpe Hall is now the final stop on ‘The Brontë Way’, associated with the writings of Charlotte Brontë. The grounds extend much further than the areas usually visited by the public.

At the Hall there is a Permanent Orienteering Course (POC) mapped and installed by members of PFO.

Registration and Start times

Starts: From 10:30 to 11:30.
Courses Close: At 13:30.

Course Information

Course offer:

Course:Length:Climb:Technical
Difficulty:
Yellow1.6k

30m

Short and easy. 10 controls.
Single-sided map.
Orange2.6k50mModerately difficult. 15 controls.
Double-sided map.
Light Green3.3k75mDifficult. 18 controls.
Double-sided map.
Long Orange:4.0k90mModerately difficult, long. 24 controls.
Double-sided map.

Roads: Orange, Light Green and Long Orange courses only will cross the access road during the event. Runners and drivers should proceed with caution.

Out of Bounds: All fields both adjacent to and within the competition area are out of bounds. However, some courses will traverse these fields along designated corridor routes. Use only the marked crossing points (stiles or gates) in and out of these fields.

Fences: Do not climb any fences or walls, except at designated crossing points.

Long Orange: A long course for both runners and progressing orienteers.

Entry Details

Pre-entry on SIEntries only. Closing date for entries is at midnight on Wednesday 28th September.

Entry fees: Adults (M/W21+) £6.00, Juniors (M/W20-) £2.50,

Dibber hire £1.00, but £40.00 if lost! Collect your hired dibber from Download.

Dog restrictions

Dogs are welcome in Gawthorpe Hall grounds. We recommend that dogs do not accompany you on courses as there will be stock in the fields. However they may be exercised freely after the event. Doggy etiquette applies.

Facilities

Public toilets: in the cobbled courtyard near download.
Refreshments: Tea & coffee may be available from PFO at Download as the NT cafe is shut and the sbstitute mobile cafe has not been in attendance recently!
Alternatively, Mooch Cafe in central Padiham (opposite the Library) is recommended by PFO members! All parking is free in Padiham.

Miscellaneous

For general enquiries -

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Mary Barton-Marshall PFO
Controller:
Jim Mitchell PFO
Organiser:
George Crawford-Smith PFO