January Review
20251231 105803
Our 2026 programme is well underway, most of you have remembered to renew your membership, and many of us have ventured out to events. Here is a round-up of news from the last month or so.
First to the end of last year and thank Hazel and Adam for organising and planning the New Year's Eve special at Maidenbrook and Monkton Heathfield, complete with Christmas Cake and other nibbles. No controls - instead we had to answer questions - a great idea for a fun run. 40 of us took part on an unexpectedly bright day. Well done to joint winners David B and Finley, with Dylan winning the junior version.
This followed the Devon Christmas event at nearby Knighthayes, which 19 QO members attended. Robin came in 2nd just a few seconds behind the winner. Also scoring maximum points were, in order: Olly R, Adam, Robert, Andy and Olly L. Not me - I failed to find the elf.
Now to this year, and we have already had two street events and one JOG. The street series events get a small but enthusiastic attendance - if you have not had a go they are worth trying with more events to come. A good way to practice your rapid decision making!
The first North Petherton street race, planned by Hazel, somehow managed to avoid the rain. Despite picking up an amazing 30 controls, Olly lost out to Robin on the long course. On the short course it was very tight - Ray won because Linda picked up a time penalty by just a few seconds. Steve would also have beaten both were it not for a hefty time penalty.
The Bishops Lydeard street race also managed to stay dry. Olly planned and this time Adam took a convincing win on the long course, with Robert second with another impressive score. The short course was very close again - Brian won, with Ed in second due to a time penalty, and Steve third.
The JOG term started at Vivary Park, with a tight competition on all courses. Raffy won the Hare, Albie won Squirrel by just a few seconds, João took Badger and Christopher won Fox. Good to see so many coming, especially on Squirrel. Thanks to Emily, Sue and Ray for planning, and Roger for presenting badges and awards for last term.
We should have had a second JOG by now but unfortunately we had to postpone Netherclay due to flooding. Although weather wasn't too bad on the day the ground was saturated so we would have left the area in a mess. We'll be back!
Away from QO events, and the last two South West League events took place. Only 5 from QO made the trip up to North Wiltshire, with best result Ray 6th on green. The following week 8 from QO went down to a soggy Bodmin Moor for Kerno's contribution. The longer course results were affected by one control being voided, and the outcome was a 3rd place for Richard on brown, 2nd and 3rd for Brian F and Andy on blue.
So the South West League is now finished and the official results are in. And it must be one of the best results for QO for many years. Two trophy winners: Yes, he did it! Robin has beaten Ben to the brown trophy. And congratulations to Ray who will be picking up the green trophy. Also doing well - Will was 3rd on brown, just ahead of Robert, Adam and Olly R, so QO has 5 of the top 6 places. On blue, Brian F was 4th and Andy 5th. And on short green Tony was 2nd and Sue 3rd. Tony also gets a commendation for scoring in all 9 events in the series - good effort!
Finally the Southern Championships took place up at Star Posts. No QO winners, but three second places: Sheila on W60L only a few seconds behind the winner, Rosie on W70L, and Finley on M16A. But solid results like this have led to Finley being selected as a travelling reserve to go to Interland in Holland this March, which is a fantastic achievement. Go Finley - hope you have a great experience!