Autumn Series (4/4)Witton ParkSat 23 October, 2021
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
Organiser's Comments:
Thank you all for coming and enjoying the delights of Jim and Mary's challenging courses. They spent many hours planning courses, checking sites and putting out controls on the day. Our thanks to them both for their hard work. Thanks too, to the many PFO troops who helped stage the event on the day.
I must make one appology for some duff pre-event information. The cafe is closed, permanently, it seems, until Covid has abated! The associated toilets, however, were still open. Two mobile traders offering drinks and snacks filled the gap. I trust that those that needed, found what the wanted.
Next PFO events (pre-entries only via SIEntries) are:
- Wednesday 10th Nov: Briercliffe Street-O
- Saturday 4th Dec: Nick o'Pendle Night event (North West Night League)
- Sunday 5th Dec: Nick o'Pendle Regiona
- Wednesday 8th Dec: Padiham Street-O
George Crawford-Smith - Organiser
Planner's Comments
With help from partner Jim (Controller) I spent around 50 hours on this event, from armchair planning , 3 visits to the area, agreeing map corrections, finalising the courses,to putting out controls, so I hope this was worth all the effort!
Navigation on Billinge Hill was tricky in places, but this area had to be used to achieve recommended course lengths. Winning times were roughly as expected, so congratulations, obviously to the winners, but to all who came and supported us.
Mary Barton-Marshall - Planner
Controller's Comments
It was gratifying to hear many positive comments about partner Mary's courses (I did assist a little in the planning process!) and we will take on board friendly criticism in connection with the (difficult) mapping of constantly-changing vegetation, especially on Billinge Hill.
Many thanks to the magnificent efforts of all helpers on the day and, in particular, control collectors, most of whom were already tired after their runs. The attendance was a little disappointing: maybe some people stayed away, not that they were possibly tired OF PFO events, but merely tired from competing in SO MANY recent PFO events!
Jim Mitchell - Controller
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
Pre Event Info
Classic long distance courses.
Witton Park is very large. The O-map only just fits on A4 at a scale of 1:10000!
Location Info
Near: Blackburn Lat,Lng: 53.73528,-2.52266 OS Grid Ref: SD655267 Postcode: BB2 5LE
Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap -
Streetmap (OS 50k)
OpenStreetMap -
BingMap (OS 50k)
Directions / Parking
Witton Country Park, Tower Road entrance. BB2 5LE. (What3Words: ///embellish.expired.general ) Enter the park, then after about 100m, take the first turn on your right to a car park. No charges. (Do not go into the main entrance unless you want to pay for parking!)
Map / Terrain
Map scale 1:10000. A4.
Witton Park is surrounded by a lot of woodland, some of it steep. The woodland is mature with a good path network, ample contour detail and water features. Longer courses will visit Billinge Hill which includes both open and woodland terrain with numerous mineral extraction features.
Registration and Start times
Starts: From 13:00 to 14:15
Courses Close: At 15:30
Course Information
Course offer:
| Course: | Length: (Provisional) | Climb: (provisional) | Notes: (TD = Technical Difficulty) |
| Yellow | 2.2k | 20m | TD2 |
| Orange | 3.1k | 50m | TD3 |
| Light Green | 4.0k | 80m | TD4 |
| Short Green | 3.6k | 50m | TD5 |
| Green | 5.4k | 120m | TD5 |
| Short Blue | 5.9k | 140m | TD5 |
Blue | 6.7k | 170m | TD5 |
Start and Finish are within 200m of the car park.
Benches and some minor/occasional paths are not shown on the map. All courses cross the park access road at least once. Take care as it is occasionally busy.
Blue, Short Blue & Green courses only: MTB downhill tracks on Billinge Hill, are mapped as a continuous purple line and are out of bounds, except to cross them at right angles with extreme care. Do not run either up them or down them.
Entry Details
On-line only via SIEntries. Open 18th October.
Entry fees: for both BOF members and non-BOF individuals.
Adult (M/W21+) £6.00,
Junior (M/W20-) and full time students £2.50.
Dibber hire £1, but £40 if lost. (Collect
If the event needs to be cancelled the PFO Event Cancellation Policy will apply.
Dog restrictions
No dogs on courses. However, you may exercise your dogs at parking or after the event. Usual doggy etiquette, please.
Facilities
Public toilets and park cafe (serving refreshments, ice cream, meals, etc) are a level 700m walk from parking.
There are nearer toilets (400m) at Pleasington Pavilion, but they can only be accessed if there are official games in progress.
Miscellaneous
General information:
Contacts / Officials
Planner: Mary Barton-Marshall PFO
Controller: Jim Mitchell PFO
Organiser: George Crawford-Smith