Spring Series, event (2/4)Spring WoodSat 04 February, 2023
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:
Spring Wood is a lovely wood with little stone steps, waterfalls, streams and bridges. It has ample contour features and the occasional rugged crag. Its only drawback is that it’s very small. On the eastern wooded side a leg from end to end of the wood only adds three or four hundred metres to a course. As well as its diminutive size it has an extensive path network meaning you’re never far from an obvious attack point or collecting feature. On the western side the exciting, intricate contour detail I had spotted on the map turned out to be a mountain biking area so was sadly out of bounds.
After much puzzling I decided to declutter the Green course map by removing the paths, and free the orienteers to enjoy a more technical challenge. After that I just needed to somehow extend the course lengths by zigzagging across the area without it becoming monotonous. Apologies that you had to climb the steep hill several times.
In contrast the Yellow course was easy to plan - I just had to make sure you got to see all the interesting bits of Spring Wood and it was pleasing to see a good turnout.
Thank you, as ever, to the wonderful PFO team who rally together to work the magic that turns the planning into reality.
Dawn Figg PFO - Planner.
Organisers Comments:
Thanks to all of you who came to our event at Spring wood. It was great to see so many of you who had been to the introductory event at Alkincoats a couple of weeks ago and were keen to do more! We hope you enjoyed it and will be watching the website for future events, the next in the series being at Brun Valley on Sunday 12th March.
Thanks also to all those from PFO who volunteered to help and to Dawn for planning the courses. We needed more people than usual for a small event because of the split parking areas and having the busy dual carriageway bisecting the route to the Start, but we’re very grateful to all of you. It turned out that almost all competitors arrived from the south (M65) direction so the second area, reserved for competitors arriving from the A59, was almost rdundent. Perhaps next time we'll use just the one parking location for all.
Permission to use the area was granted by Lancashire County Council, thanks to Paul Shoreman, Countryside Ranger from Spring Wood for his input.
See you all again soon!
Helen Smethurst and George Crawford- Smith
A competitors view:
Thank you, along with the planners for organising the event at Spring Wood on Saturday. I thought the technical Green course was great, really good use of a small mapped area and the challenge of using features rather than paths to orientate by. Thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Another competitor's view:
Interesting! The Green course, without any paths marked on the map, was more like a training exercise. I resorted to compass work on many legs which proved interesting, navigating by contours, streams, bramble patches and bushes. Sometimes a path would go in my general direction that proved easier underfoot.
All in all, a good test of navigational skills. Well done Dawn. When is the next one?
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
Important note: This is an AFTERNOON event with first starts at 13:00
Event 2 of 4 of our Spring Series.
Spring Wood is a great venue to learn about orienteering in a classic woodland setting. It is a healthy sport for all the family. Regular orienteers will enjoy the longer, more technical courses.
Location Info
Near: Whalley Lat,Lng: 53.82009,-2.39511 OS Grid Ref: SD740360
Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap -
Streetmap (OS 50k)
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BingMap (OS 50k)
Directions / Parking
This is a change to the previously stated parking arrangements. DO NOT park in the public car park at Spring Wood. This is a popular spot for public recreation and the car park is small and often full.
Instead, park in one of these two roadside locations, depending on your direction of approach.
If approaching from East or West along the A59, at the roundabout turn onto the A671. Continue to the traffic lights on the dual carriageway (DO NOT turn left into the public car park), but continue for 200m and turn left onto Portfield Road signposted Sabden (What3Words ///valley.caramel.quicksand). Marshals will direct you to park half-on and half-off the verge, on either side of the widest part of this road. Space is limited, so please do not leave large gaps.
If approaching from the south, from the M65, Burnley or Accrington direction, proceed north to the traffic lights at Spring Wood. Turn left here onto Accrington Rd (B6246), around a slight bend onto a long downhill straight. Pull over to the righthand side and park as directed by marshals (What3Words ///completed.sailed.blotchy). Do not leave large gaps as space is limited. Nearest postcode is BB7 9UE.
See map for the location of Parking, Dibber collection, Start, Finish, Download and Toilets. On foot, all competitors will have to cross the busy A671 junction near the traffic lights at least once. Traffic is fast along this stretch and children MUST be accompanied by an adult. Marshals will be on duty to guide you. On your course all competitors will use an underpass to avoid crossing the road.
Map / Terrain
Classic woodland with a good variety of terrain, vegetation and old quarry workings. There is also a rough open grassland area with many contour features and a criss-cross of paths.
Registration and Start times
Starts: From 13:00 to 14:00.
Courses Close: At 15:30.
Course Information
Course offer:
| Course: | Length: | Climb: | Technical Difficulty: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | 1.8k | 70m | Short and easy. |
| Orange | 2.7kk | 110m | Moderately difficult, medium distance. |
| Red: | 5.1k | 230m | Moderately difficult, long. |
| Light Green | 3.6kk | 150m | Hard. |
| Green/Technical | 4.2k | 200m | Very hard. |
Out of Bounds: All fields adjacent to the competition area are out of bounds.
Red: All events in the Spring Series will offer a long course for both runners and progressing orienteers, mostly on easy terrain and at a moderate technical standard.
Entry Details
Pre-entry via SIEntries only. No EOD.
Standard entry fees up to midnight on the Wednesday 1st February:
Adults (M/W21+) £6.00, Juniors (M/W20-) £2.50,
Late entries fees on 2nd & 3rd February:
Adults (M/W21+) £8.00, Juniors (M/W20-) £3.50. Entries accepted only up to the number of available maps.
Dibber hire £1.00, but £40.00 if lost! Collect your hired dibber from Download.
Dog restrictions
Dogs are welcome in Spring Wood. However we recommend they do not accompany you on your course. After your run, they may be exercised freely under control. Doggy etiquette applies. Sheep are in adjacent fields.
Facilities
Toilets.
Miscellaneous
General enquiries:
Event code: 82286
Contacts / Officials
Planner: Dawn Figg PFO.
Organiser: TBA