Festive season
Novelty events
Santa stuck
Credit:
pixabay.com
There's plenty of events relatively nearby to keep you going over the festive period. Next up is a Boxing Day event in Ringwood, Dorset.
Remember, you can find fixtures from neighbouring clubs on our Events page, below our own fixture list.
Neighbouring clubs events list
This list is maintained via a link with the British Orienteering (BOF) website, so you can be sure the list is as up-to-date as the BOF one.
The links on our list go through to the BOF website, which in turn feeds through to the individual club's websites.
Some selected events
| Date | Where, Near [courses], facilities | Club, | Distance / results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 26 Dec | Moors Valley Country Park nr Ringwood [Novelty score] See photos below. Multi-sport adventure forest. QO team ran there in inter-club event, 2017 Closing date: 25 Dec | Wimborne Flyer | 1 hr 10 from Yeovil |
| Thu 27 Dec | Ash Priors Common nr Taunton QO's Snooker O novelty event Social afterwards, nearby Closing date: 20 Dec | Quantock Event page | 15 mins from Taunton |
| Sun 30 Dec | Haldon Forest Park, nr Exeter [Novelty Score] Large woods with some open areas. Social- mince pies & mulled wine Toilets & cafe Cycling trails | Devon Event page | 40 mins from Wellington |
| New Year's Day | Forest of Dean (Brierley) [Score] Mass start 11.00 Good area Club "cafe" tent | North Glos Event page | 1 hr 20 from Bridgwater |
| New Year's Day | New Forest (Foxbury) [Novelty Score] Mixed terrain Roaming controls Hot chocolate served afterwards | Sarum Event page | 1 hr 30 from Yeovil |
Boxing day event in Dorset
Credit: Wimborne OC
Spot the kite on the Christmas Tree
Credit: Wimborne OC
Score & novelty events explained
Festive events tend to also be score events, so-called because you score points based on the controls you've visited. You also get at least an element of choice as to which controls you visit and in what order. The trickier controls tend to have a higher value than others.
The novelty element often involves festive-flavoured quiz questions which score you more points. Sometimes there's a mobile control in the forest, Santa or a Christmas Tree, which scores bonus points!
There's usually a big gathering and a briefing with some bonhomie, before a mass start. If you're lucky, there might be mince pies and mulled wine available afterwards.