Longrun Meadow / B&T College

Controller's comments

From the many complimentary comments I heard, Gavin’s and Andrew’s courses were well received. I think they made good use of the two areas available and provided plenty of challenge as well as variety. My job was of course made easier because of Gavin’s experience and the organisation was in the capable hands of Roger and Judy. As always, thanks should go to the team of helpers on the day.

There always seems to be something that gets missed, so I apologise for not spotting that one of the two fences just south of control 129 in the Finals had been removed. This may have encouraged some runners to think they could approach the control from the wrong side.

Personally, I think it would be better if these championships reverted to using the sum of the two race times rather than just the Final. Without the numbers required to justify qualifying heats, the first race means little in the current format. Needing two good runs to win would add more interest and competition to the day. It would be good to have your feedback on that while it’s fresh in your minds.

- Chris Kelsey (Bristol OK)

Organiser's report

For many QO members this was a new format as well as being a first attempt for the Club at staging a SW Championships.

We are grateful to the private landowners who let us use their properties, and to the Bridgwater and Taunton College, Castle School, and Air Training Cadets for permission to access the education complex for the Finals

Positives were

• Fine weather and a convenient venue for Assembly – the COACH centre in French Weir Park. We had the use of its Link Room for registration and IT, and nearby toilets, changing rooms and café.
• We had a couple of good areas, and an experienced planner in Gavin Clegg – who mentored Andrew Page (M14) with the junior courses. There was some concern about the ‘rogue’ controls seen on the way to the Prologue Start under a bridge and on an island!
• A thoughtful controller who picked up a possible problem with the use of a certain type of SI card. This was the first event in which we had SIAC enabled controls.

• Plenty of promotion of orienteering in Taunton with over 100 competitors mingling with the public in its streets, parks, and built up areas.
• Efficient registration, start, and results team. The Trubies for providing a ‘Maze’ course in the lunch interval.
• Services of Steve Rush (BOK) who provided us with an excellent set of photographs which can be viewed through a link on the QO website.

There were a few negatives such as

• the damage caused to a pier cap in a garden where the owner had kindly agreed to us placing a control. Her complaint was passed on, but no-one owned up to the action which caused it.
• the absence of many leading SW orienteers considering the proximity of the British Sprint Championships in two weeks.

Congratulations to all the SW champions – including Clive Hallett (BOK) who won the M21 by running out of his age class!

- Roger Craddock

Credits

Thanks to Steve Rush for the photos