Tockholes WoodsSat 14 May, 2022

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

16th May - Revised results for the score course, one control had inadvertently been given 100 pts. Thanks to Colin for pointing this out and relinquishing his first place.

Thanks to all who attended for a glorious in Tockholes Woods.

The detailed results for the NWOA Yvette Baker Trophy and Shield heat are attached above, but a summary is:

Yvette Baker Trophy

1st WCOC

2nd LOC

3rd MDOC

WCOC were a seeded club in this heat, therefore both WCOC and LOC qualify for the final.

Yvette Baker Shield

Joint winners were SROC and PFO

See also a report and 24 beautiful pictures, some with bountious bluebells, on other PFO Facebook page.
Photos and writeup, coutesy KH of PFO.


Controller's comments:

And now, the end is near, and so I face the final...compliments?...Criticism?...Control!

Tockholes was my final big event as controller. An ageing, decrepit M80 has had to accept that the physical part of the job has become too much. My very grateful thanks go to all planners who have helped me in the past, from Richard Payne of EPOC at Elland Park Woods for my first job in the 1980s via PFO, MDOC, AIRE, SELOC, SROC and other EPOC events, to Judith and Katy at the event today. It's been a pleasure, this commitment. Thank you for the friendly and helpful criticism from fellow orienteers over the years, but special thanks must go to Judith and Katy for their unfailing help and challenging courses.

I shall of course be seen staggering around Short Green and M80 courses at future events. See you there!

Jim Mitchell PFO - Controller

Planners Report Tockholes 14/05/2022

Initial site visits began early in 2022, it was clear at this early stage that numerous new paths and bike tracks needed to be added to the map. Many of the identified possible control sites were suddenly very close to paths and a rethink of sites and courses was needed.

Tockholes is a gem for orienteering, glorious runnable woodland, with few brambles, the odd marsh, lots of paths, and a variety of features to choose from.

All but the longer courses stayed to the south of the reservoirs to make the most of the woodland which once you left the paths required keeping in close contact with the map to avoid straying off route with few definite features to relocate from.

Options for the yellow and orange courses were more limited but I hope the Yvette Baker competitors feel like they had an adventure.

One of my aims for the technical courses was to try and give as many route choice options as possible whist encouraging competitors away from the extensive path network. A quick look at Routegadget today suggests that was indeed the case at least for the earlier controls.

I included a few long legs, again to increase route choice, taking the direct route should have been quicker but a riskier strategy.

Tockholes is a beautiful, runnable woodland but I was taken aback by the extent of the bluebells this year. They hadn’t be in evidence 3 weeks before the event when out tagging final control sites, however when siting controls the night before the event some of the small gullies and earth walls were almost unrecognisable as they were blanketed in blooms. Neither had I anticipated a new, half built bungalow blocking my original route to the start, so we had to hastily replan the start, apologies for not ensuring the website details were updated accordingly, and to those on Light Green who had a bit of a dogleg to their first control.

On the day we were blessed with glorious weather which helped create what I hope was a positive experience for everyone.

Many thanks to Katy Thompson who helped with the planning in order to gain experience and to Jim Mitchell for his advice and comments as controller and to the small army of PFO volunteers who always turn out in numbers to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Judith Wood PFO - Planner

Organiser’s report.

Having not organised any previous PFO event It was great to get the support and experience of so many PFO members both on the day and in advance. The weather and the planning allowed the day to run smoothly with little added stress. All volunteers remained flexible and very positive and we were able to cover all bases comfortably allowing every volunteer who wanted, to get a run. The sunshine also made it a great social event with such a high turnout not just of PFO helpers and competitors as well as competitors from the other northwest clubs.

It was so good to see PFO running a bigger event again and to receive so many positive comments from the competitors both about the courses and the organising. My thanks to George for his YB coordinator role and his helpful pieces of advice before the day as well as overseeing the YB starters within the rest of the 200 competitors.

The local farmer, John Smith, could not have been more helpful offering advice about the field and extra support if the weather had turned for the worse. He was also very pleased to receive just over £100 in parking donations which he has decided he will use to support the “Ride for Cancer” bike ride to be undertaken by his brother in the coming weeks.

Thanks again to all volunteers

Andy Wood PFO - 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: Tue 17 May, 2022

Pre Event Info

Tockholes Woods Regional incorporates the Yvette Baker Trophy and Shield heat for NW clubs. Juniors M/W18 and younger and members of a NW club are eligible.

Covid restrictions no longer apply, but if you have any concerns please take your own measures to minimise contact.

Location Info

Near: Blackburn
Lat,Lng: 53.68447,-2.50973
OS Grid Ref: SD664210
Postcode: BB3 0PA

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

Directions / Parking

Field parking near to BB3 0PA. However using what3words ///bicker.users.unhelpful will take you to the entrance gate of the parking field, which is approximately 450m south of the Tockholes Information Centre/Rambler's Country Cafe and Royal Arms car park.

Best approach from north, east and west is via the M65. Exit at J3 and follow the A675** for (7km/4.5mi) past Tockholes Woods on your left to the next minor junction left, signposted Tockholes. Proceed for 2.4km/1.5mi, to the parking field entrance gate, which will be an easy turn on your right. Follow parking marshals directions. Your donation per vehicle (recommended £1) goes to local good causes in Tockholes. The alternative route via J4 through Tockholes Village is steeper, bumpier, twistier and slower - and is not recommended.

** Average speed cameras are in operation on the A675: from J3, first 50mph, then 40mph, then 30mph through Abbey Village and then 50mph.

From the south (Bolton direction) follow the A675 through Belmont village then after 2.5k/1.6mi turn right at the junction noted above. Average speed cameras in operation.

Anyone bringing a large camper van or larger coach should contact the Organiser in advance for details of alternative parking.

Map / Terrain

High quality orienteering terrain in mature woodland around the catchment area of Roddlesworth Reservoirs. Map updated Spring 2022.

Tockholes has been used for orienteering for over 50 years! Much has changed in that time, but the woods, a mix of deciduous and coniferous woodland, remains largely clear of nasty undergrowth and is very runnable. There is no forestry grid and no straight lines anywhere, but there are ample rock, forest, landform and water features. Quality orienteering guaranteed!

The area is popular with walkers, dog owners, runners and mountain bikers – take care and give way.
Some minor incidental paths are not marked on the map.
Several high crags and a dangerous ravine are highlighted with the purple uncrossable symbol. Beware!

Registration and Start times

Starts 10:30 to 12:30

Course Information

Starts for all competitors will be from 10:30 to 12:30.
Club Yvette Baker team managers should be aware of the age and experience rules that apply. There are some age and pairs exceptions. Download the latest PDF (2018) via the BOF website - search for "Competition Rule L: Yvette Baker Trophy and Shield". When entering a YB course, be sure to tick the YB check box.

Course Offer: (Subject to Controller's approval.)

Course:Length:Climb:Notes:
Brown7.4k

175m

TD5. Map 1:10000
Blue5.8k

120m

TD5. Map 1:10000
Short Blue5.0k

120m

TD5. Map 1:10000
Green & YB Green3.9k

60m

TD5. Map 1:10000
Short Green3.3k

50m

TD5. Map 1:10000
Very Short Green

2.3k

50mTD5. Map 1:10000
Light Green & YB Light Green3.8k

70m

TD4. Map 1:10000
Orange & YB Orange2.5k

45m

TD3. Map 1:10000
Yellow & YB Yellow1.9k

35m

TD2. Map 1:10000
Score60 minutes time limit
before penalties incurred
- - -Map 1:10000

Distance to the Start is 700m on the level from parking and the return from the Finish is 800m with 45m of climb.

Dibber issue, information point, first aid and Download will all be together in the parking field.

Entry Details

Entry and dibber hire (£1.00**) via SIEntries only. Entries close at midnight on Tuesday 10th May.
[**Note: £30 charge if dibber is lost during hire period.]

Entry fees:
Adult - member £8.00, non-member £10.00
Junior - member £3.00, non-member £4.00

If entering a junior (M/W18 or younger) on one of the four Yvette Baker courses (Green, Light Green, Orange or Yellow) please tick the checkbox in SIEntries to confirm you are part of an Yvette Baker team.

When entering, all competitors, whether Yvette Baker or Regional, will choose a 15 minute start block from 10:30 to 12:30.

Dog restrictions

No dogs on courses. Dogs may be exercised in the competition area after 13:00PM.
This is also sheep country, so dogs MUST be kept on a lead in the parking fields. Always clear up after your dog ...... and take it home!

Facilities

Cubicle toilets at parking.
500m north of parking: The Royal Arms and the Rambler's Country Cafe (under new management, previously Vaughns Cafe), car park and public toilets.
First aid will be on a self-treatment basis. For anything more serious the Blackburn Urgent Care centre is 7 miles by the shortest route. Located at Blackburn Urgent Care Centre, Royal Blackburn Hospital, Haslingden Road, Blackburn. BB2 3HH.

Miscellaneous

BOF event: 79806

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Judith Wood PFO
Assistant planner: Katy Thompson PFO.
Controller: Jim Mitchell PFO
Organiser: Andy Wood PFO -