Spring Series(1/4)StubbyleeSat 09 February, 2019

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:

Gales accompanied by heavy rain and hail greeted everyone rising before 10:00AM, so the decision to have afternoon starts for this series was completely vindicated! By the 1 O'clock first start it was only spitting rain, windy and cold. In the shelter of the parks it was positively balmy but up at the high start in the quarry even the hardiest were anxious to get running quickly. My apologies to High Start Technical course runners for putting controls out before taping the route to the start. I should have delegated that part of the job to others.

Stubbylee and Moorland Parks are vary varied with lots of features but is very small. For White, Yellow and Orange, this necessitated one, two or 3 circuits of the parks to get somewhere near recommended course lengths and one, two or 3 part maps. The net result was more like a sprint event than classic orienteering. One feature that had even experienced orienteers guessing was the footpath apparently running through a lake. Was this a cartographical mistake? In the recent renovation of the lake there is now a raised walkway, reminiscent of the wooden causeway to a neolithic camp in the Somerset fens.

The Technical course started life as a Light Green, but I quickly realised that young LG competitors would struggle with the highly contoured and frequently stoney terrain in the quarries. Most legs had path options as well as direct up and over lines. I wonder which was fastest? Dropping down to the parks you visited control 8 between the knolls. This was woodland when I last visited 3 weeks ago, but men with chain saws have been busy, leaving a scattering of tree trunks to negotiate. (In future this area of mineral extraction may become more usable for O. Let's hope so.) In the park the course ended with a helter-skelter sprint.

The courses were (mostly) well received. Notable performances by Max Cole 21 minutes ahead of the field on the Technical course, Adam Law 9 minutes ahead on Orange, Ariane Edwards winning by 1 second (!) on Yellow and Alex Holloway being victorious on White. I'm looking forward to seeing your route choices on RouteGadget, now available.

I hope you enjoyed the excellent cafe fare. Thanks you to everyone for turning out. The more the merrier.

Next event in the series is at Gawthorpe Hall on Saturday 2nd March. Registration opens at 12:30.

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 04 April, 2021

Important note: This is an AFTERNOON event with first starts at 13:00. The late start enables anyone who participates in other Saturday morning sports to engage in both activities.

Event 1 of 4 of our Spring Intro Series at Stubbylee and Moorland Parks in Bacup. The White, Yellow and Orange courses are introductory courses specifically aimed at novices and juniors. Experienced orienteers will find the Technical course "interesting" and challenging.

There are two adjacent parks with a mix of paths, buildings, play areas, grassland and woodland. In addition there are some unusual contour, rock and water features. The main parks offer fast running, but there is a steep wooded escarpment to the west. The Technical TD4/5 course will also visit a contoured quarry area.

The parks have a rich history, previously being owned by the Holt family and then local mill owners, the Maden family. Stubbylee Hall (Grade II listed), their former home, is in the centre of the park. Recent ground works have added new features to the area including a BMX course.

The park is also home to the Stubbylee Community Greenhouses and the Stables Cafe. Both are staffed by volunteer trainees. Please visit after your run.

Location Info

Near: Bacup, Rossendale
Lat,Lng: 53.69303,-2.20269
OS Grid Ref: SD863218
Postcode: OL13 0DE

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

Directions / Parking

From the A681 (from Rawtenstall or Todmorden) or A671 (from Rochdale) turn on to New Line road. Parking will be in Stubbylee Park, signposted at the entrance.

Registration is maximum 200m from parking.

If the parking area is full, you will be directed to on-street parking in Park Road opposite. From here,park entrance on foot for Registration is via the ungated narrow vehicle access road. Do not enter via the gated pedestrian path as this would take you into the competition area. Children must be accompanied.

Registration and Start times

Registration: From 12:30 to 13:30
Starts: From 13:00 to 14:00
Courses Close: At 3:30PM

Course Information

Course offer (provisional details)
Course: Length: Climb: Notes:
White 1.2k 20m TD1= Very easy. Low Start.
Yellow 1.8k 35m TD2 = Easy. Low Start.
Orange 2.8k 65m TD3= Moderate. Low Start.
Technical 4.1k 105 TD4/5 = Difficult. High Start.

White, Yellow and Orange will use the Low Start, which is near to Registration. Allow 2 minutes to reach the Low Start from Registration.
[White, Yellow and Orange are short compared to usual orienteering courses. You might want to run more than one course. Please ask at Registration.]

The Technical course will start independently in the quarry area at the High Start, which is 600m taped route from Registration with 80m of height gain. Allow 15 minutes
It is a mix of contoured quarry to start followed by urban/sprint to finish. Studded fell shoes should be worn. Not suitable for juniors M/W12 or under unless accompanied by an adult.

SAFETY: The Technical course begins in exposed terrain. As this is a winter event you must wear or carry a suitable waterproof jacket, plus other appropriate gear for the weather e.g. hat, gloves, overtrousers.

The Finish for all courses is in the park close to Registration and download. The cafe closes at 3:30PM !!

Entry Details

EOD only

Adults £5.00, Juniors £2.00

Dibber hire £1, but £40 if lost.

Dog restrictions

Please do not take dogs on courses, but you may exercise them afterwards. Please keep your dog under close control and observe usual canine etiquette.

Facilities

Cafe and toilets in the park at Registration.

Miscellaneous

For general enquiries -

Contacts / Officials

Planner: George Crawford-Smith PFO
Controller: N/A
Organiser: Bill Griffiths PFO