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:

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

Last updated: Sat 30 October, 2021

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)
Yellow2.2k

20m

TD2
Orange3.1k50mTD3
Light Green4.0k

80m

TD4
Short Green3.6k

50m

TD5
Green5.4k

120m

TD5
Short Blue5.9k140mTD5

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