Autumn Series, event (2/4)Sunnyhurst WoodsSat 30 September, 2023

Local level event

Results

• • Results and splits
• • Routegadget

Report

Planner's Comments:

Not much to add to George's comments. The narrow valley and overgrown vegetation of Sunnyhurst Woods made it a challenge to create courses with enough route choice and not too much climb but hopefully I succeeded in planning suitable courses. The feedback was positive and I was glad to see that some people braved the undergrowth, with varying results! The heavy rain held off until most people had finished.

Thanks to George for remapping and guidance on the courses and to all participants and helpers for making it a successful event.

Katy Thompson PFO.

Organiser's Report:

Thank you for coming to orienteer at Sunnyhurst Woods, and many thanks to Katy Thompson for her much praised courses. Congratualations to the course winners. There were some impressivly quick winning times.

Congratualation too, to the happy couple who were wed at the Hall around the same time as our first starts. We were asked to run "quietly" past the Hall, which I'm sure you all observed! I did offer the bride and groom free entries to our event, but I gather the offer was not taken up.

The valley was formed at the end of the last ice age and is a glacial meltwater run-off chanel, hence the steep valley sides. After recent heavy rain, there was a land slip taking away one of the paths on the upper north side of the valley, so Katy made a quick replan of all courses to avoid this now perilous path.

From the organisational point of view, afternoon starts make organising much easier. Collecting the equipment from PFO's store in the morning, and returning the equipment in the late afternoon, means the event was "done-in-a-day". Easy.

Special thanks are due to the small band of PFO helpers who ensured smooth working of the event, especially Helen and Andy for masterminding the electronics and quick results. Also special thanks to Dawn for helping with control placing, and the collecting-in-gang of Una, Pauline, Greg, Stephen, Graham, Mike and Katy . Unfortunately the rain was falling in earnest by the end. All deserved an early hot bath.

Next Saturday it's Aitken Wood and surrounding terrain. Afternoon starts again! See PFO and SI websites for details and entries. One week later again is Witton Park Regional. Hope to see you there!

George Crawford-Smith PFO.

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: Mon 02 October, 2023

Classic orienteering courses for beginners, improvers and experts.

Location Info

Near: Darwen
Lat,Lng: 53.70233,-2.48576
OS Grid Ref: SD679229
Postcode: BB3 1JA

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

Directions / Parking

Park sensibly in the widest parts of Earnsdale Road, Darwen, BB3 1JA. If travelling from the M65, turn right on to Earnsdale Rd, just before St Cuthbert's Church at the traffic lights.

Start, Finish, Download, dibber collection and kit dump will be a downhill walk from parking. Allow 5 minutes and follow signage from the road.

What3Words coordinates: ///belts.fueled.rushed for the on-foot park entrance and for Earnsdale Road parking.

Map / Terrain

Sunnyhurst Woods are set in a deep valley. There is a mix of easily runnable woodland and dense woodland, plus a good path network throughout. The parkland areas are along the valley bottom.

Map scale is 1:5000.

Registration and Start times

Starts: 13:00 to 14:00.
When entering, choose a 15 minute start block window from the drop-down menu. On the day, arrive at the Start during your window. Starts will be allocated by the Start marshal at one minute intervals.
Courses close: 15:30.

Course Information

SAFETY: There has been a mud slide at Sunnyhurst woods, taking out a popular path, which is now closed to the public. Courses have been replanned to avoid the area. The affected path and surrounds are marked on your course map as OOB. Do not attempt to cross this area.

Entry Details

Registration: ALL entries must be made through SI-Entries.
Entries close at midnight on 29th September, but entries made on or after 28th September are subject map availability and a higher entry fee - see below.
For pairs entries (or small groups), it is only necessary to register one name, pay for one entry and hire one dibber.

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 be picked up at the Download tent, which will be adjacent to the Start.
[**Note: £40 charge if dibber is lost or broken during the hire period.]

Entry fees: Adult (M/W21+) £6.00 (£8.00 from 28/9/23)
Junior £2.50 (M/W20-) (£3.50 from 28/9/23)
Dibber hire £1.00

Dog restrictions

Dogs are permitted on courses provide they are under control.

Facilities

Toilets and snack-bar cafe. We will check whether both will be open and advise.

Miscellaneous

For general enquiries -

BOF event: 82294

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Katy Thompson PFO
Organiser: George Crawford-Smith PFO