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Ashley Combe

QOFL1

Sun 7 Oct

Near: Bridgwater
Level of event: Local

Type of event: Race

These ancient woodlands make up one of our best areas and played host to our first QOFL of the season.

Photos (Dropbox)

Results

Results and Splits
Routegadget

Nice crisp ground and autumn leaves were a joy to run on

Nice crisp ground and autumn leaves were a joy to run on
Credit: Jim Pearson

Competitor's comments

Well done to Karen for stepping up to Green on such a hard course. It did take a while but Karen was happy with her route apart from control 12, though a few of us came unstuck there. I take my hat off to the planner as I thought it was a very hard course, especially for the ones who have never done that area before, and well put together. Chris Philip and helpers did a wonderful job.

I felt the choices of route could so easily lead me away from the right direction as slowly going up or down the contours I found myself going adrift all too often. As anyone would, I blame my compass. Well known fact ___ workmen blame there tools!!!

- Martin Lewis


Group of youngsters

Group of youngsters
Credit: Jim Pearson

Lost route

An experienced competitor on the Blue course appeared to upload their route onto Routegadget, with an "interesting" route choice on one of the earlier legs. An hour later the route had mysteriously vanished!

So all those still learning the sport take heart - the better ones aren't always perfect.

- Jeff Pakes

Elaine G finishing

Elaine G finishing
Credit: Jim Pearson

Team 1 put on this event.

Organiser's message to helpers

Well I hope you all enjoyed the day as much as I did and I didn’t get a run!

You were all great and it was a pleasure to spend the day with you all and see the event unfold in all it’s glory. I know the weather played a big part but so did you all.

Thanks to:

Made it to the finish!

Made it to the finish!
Credit: Jim Pearson

  • Steve Williams and Pete Akers for parking the cars
  • Bill for running the Start for the whole event
  • The two Registration teams – Karen Lewis early and Dawn Carter late
  • Andy for setting up the SI kit and shutting down at the end – for the wonderful results service too!
  • Steve Robertson and Jim Nickolls for the first stint, a mixture of adding competitors and download is always the hardest session
  • Martin Lewis and Richard Sansbury for manning the second session on SI
  • Julia Robertson and Jim Pearson for manning the finish
  • Jeff Pakes for his controlling - having all controls checked by just after 10:00 was brilliant
  • Roger and Judy Craddock for providing the cash float and storing the kit and making it so accessible – thankfully I managed to get it all in the back of my estate car!
  • The control collectors for clearing the wood in excellent time
  • The impromptu search party for helping to look for a temporarily misplaced junior
Suzy R gave dad a run for his money on Blue

Suzy R gave dad a run for his money on Blue
Credit: Jim Pearson

Finally- lots of thanks to Mark Maynard for his courses, enjoyed by all.

Any feedback you have about things that went well or that we could improve on are welcomed and if I have missed anyone off then I apologise, you did a good job too.

If I have to organise an event again I will be asking for each one of you to be part of the ‘team’, you were great.

- Chris Philip

Forest League (QOFL) Series Info

A local event open to all, beginner or experienced orienteer, young or old and there are colour-coded courses suitable for all.

We have six of these events a year and together they form the Forest League (QOFL). The series starts in the Autumn and continues at approximately one event per month until the spring.

Link to QOFL team lists - members, please check which events you are down to help at

Directions / Parking

Directions: the event will be signposted from the crossroads at Marsh Mills at Over Stowey, one mile S of Nether Stowey ST191384, Post Code TA5 1HG.

Continue for three miles from there, mainly along forest roads.

Event access and parking on unsurfaced forest tracks.

Parking: is free and on a forest road. Vehicles will be backed up from the assembly area from ST164381.

Course Information

Suitable for all ages and abilities.

Colour coded courses explained (with thanks to Berkshire OC)

CourseLength ClimbControls
Blue5.4 km245 m14
Green3.7 km170 m13
Short Green3.2 km135 m10
Light Green3.1 km165 m12
Orange2.4 km105 m12
Yellow2.3 km65 m11
White1.7 km45 m11


Map

The scale is 1:10,000 for senior courses and 1:5,000 for junior courses. A4 size.

Start & finish

The Start is 600m from Registration and the route to it will be marked with tape.

The Finish is 400m from the Download tent (adjacent to Registration).

Road crossings

These are present on the longer courses, i.e. Light Green level and above. These cross minor roads, but traffic is generally slow and infrequent. The crossings will be unmanned. Please take care.

Under 16s will be not be permitted to run the Light Green unless accompanied by an adult.

Parents or guardians of juniors on these courses are responsible for their children's safety at all times.

Terrain description

Mixed forest and ancient oak woodlands with some rough open patches. Areas of good run intermixed with patches of bracken and/or brashings. Plenty of scattered point features, including charcoal burning platforms, cairns and depressions. Decent path network.

All courses have significant climb. Good studded footwear is recommended for negotiating steep slopes.

Junior courses stay in the forested area south of the roads and partly use a complex area where there are many unmapped animal tracks in addition to the main paths.

Entry Details

You need to join a recognised orienteering club once you have participated at three or more events. Participation as a non-member after three events invalidates that event's liability insurance. Read about joining QO here.

Seniors - £10 (£7 for BOF/QO members)
Junior/student - £3 (£2 for BOF/QO members)
Family of Runners £16 (£10 for BOF/QO members)
Family Group - £6.
Shadowed Junior - £4.
Dibber Hire (SI) - £1

Charge for lost dibber - £40

Registration form (v 2018.1) - pdf

Registration form (v 2018.1) - Word

Electronic punching

SportsIdent system (SI) will be used. If you have your own SI or SIAC dibber, please bring it to Registration with you to speed up the registration process.

Contactless (SIAC) punching will not be enabled.

Registration & Start Times

Registration from: 10:30 (helpers from 10.00)

Start times from: 11.00 to 13.00 (helpers can start from 10.30)

Courses close: 14:30

Dog restrictions

Dogs allowed, under control.

Safety notes

Road crossings: please see the notes further above.

Other hazards: please be aware of courteous towards other users of the competition area such as dog walkers, horse riders and cyclists.

Fences: please take care when crossing fences and be careful not to cause any damage.

First Aid

There is no designated First Aider but a First Aid box will be available at Registration.

Toilets

Toilets are at the rangers' hut by the Forestry Commission Picnic Site (ST167376).

They are on the left about 1.5km after joining forest road – please use these before you reach the ‘O’ parking, which is up to 2km further along the forest road network from the toilets (see rough map above).

There is a one way system in use (see map) and returning to the toilets from the parking will be difficult.

Contacts / Officials

Organiser: Chris Philip cjphilip20@tiscali.co.uk

Planner: Mark Maynard

Controller: Roger Craddock 01823 323850 chair@

Controller's assistant: Jeff Pakes website@

Photo Gallery

Ladies Wood

Ladies Wood
Credit: Rose &Trev Clough

Path near Ashley Combe

Path near Ashley Combe
Credit: Jim Pearson

Pausing at a control by one of many "hides"

Pausing at a control by one of many "hides"
Credit: Jim Pearson

Important Event Information

Safety and Risk: A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event. All participants must report to download whether they finish their course or not.

Privacy: when participating in our events/activities your name may appear in the results section of this website or in newspaper reports. Read our data protection page to see how we look after your personal data.

Photography: QO has an agreed policy on the taking of photographs at events, based on national guidance. This provides a sensible balance between the benefits and risks associated with the taking and use of images. If you are unsure about acceptable practice, please speak to the event organiser.

Safeguarding: QO is aware of it's responsibilities in safeguarding and child protection. To comply with The Child Safeguarding Practice Review and Relevant Agency (England) Regulations 2018, we now provide an email address for individuals to report concerns to the Lead Safeguarding Officer. This address is safeguarding@britishorienteering.org.uk.