Type of event: Race
Plateau in the Blackdown Hills with wood and semi-open.
This event also forms part of the Devon League.
Updated with planner, controller and organiser comments.
Controller comments:
I’d like to congratulate Ray for his hard work in planning the courses, and for making the best of the area. As the map hadn’t been used for several years, he had to spend a lot of time checking over the area, and arranging for updates to the map before he could even start planning the courses.
Blackborough doesn’t allow much scope for technical orienteering - once you step off the paths, you are mostly in dark green (fight) featureless forest. The more technical control features are located down the steep sides of the hill, often in marshy and overgrown areas, making progress very slow at times.
The long times show that many found the ups and downs a bit too hard going. I hope you all enjoyed most aspects of the courses despite this.
It was a blessing that we had such a sunny day! It was a pleasure to work with Ray, Sue, Roger, Judy and all the team at QO. Well done for making it such a successful and sociable day.
Andy Reynolds
Planners comments:
Planning courses over the summer proved rather challenging as the vegetation shot up in the wet then warm weather. Luckily it abated slightly over the last few weeks so the bracken wasn’t quite so high although the underlying brambles were as horrible as ever as I’m sure your legs will testify. Runners seemed to be, mostly, charitable in their comments and mentioned the good variation through the various sections. The area to the north east for Brown, Blue and Green was particularly challenging with plenty of swamp and fallen trees but runners seemed to cope well.
The weather of course made everyone smile, how lucky we were.
Thanks are due to Andy Rimes for his help in map update and production. Thanks also to Judy and Roger for their excellent organisation in making things run smoothly. A very special thank you to Andy Reynolds (Controller) for his patient guidance and wisdom over the planning process and his energetic “checking” and “waking” runs over the weekend.
Ray Toomer
Organiser comments:
When we considering how to start off the QOFL season we were looking for a planner and mapper to enable a return to a QO area close to DEVON OC to make our ‘shared’ fixture.
Step up Ray Toomer and Andy Rimes who despite the reservations of others produced the map and the courses we used today.
We could not have wished for better weather and facilities for our Blackborough QOFL. Excellent parking and facilities provided by the owners and such co-operation that put National bodies to shame. We were able to donate £250 to the Devon Air Ambulance from the collection instead of parking fees including a contribution from QO.
Andy Reynolds (DEVON OC) was our controller and he worked with Ray to produce a set of challenging courses that were well received despite the seasonal problems underfoot!
Judy and my job of organising was made easier with the willing group of volunteers from Team1 with generous offers of help from DEVON members.
Many thanks to Andrea and her team from the Forest Glade Campsite for hosting us, cutting the grass in the parking field, and for cooking the delicious pasties.
Roger & Judy Craddock (Organisers)
Our league events are 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.
Please note that for the 2023/24 season, all our league events will be Regional events (Level C).
Anyone can get a result for an event, but for it to be included in the league scoring you have to be a member of a British Orienteering affiliated club at the time of entry.
Events list for Forest League 2023-24
Please make sure you have read and comply with the Participant Code Of Conduct and, if applicable, the Parent Code Of Conduct.
From M5 (Jn28), take A373 towards Honiton. Just after Keepers Cottage Inn, turn left and follow signs to the Forest Glade Holiday Park. Follow ‘O’ signs in Park. Parking will be in a level field.
The Forest Glad shop will be open for hot and cold drinks, and freshly baked pasties and sausage rolls and they are happy to take orders for these.
We suggest placing an order as you enter the campsite to be sure of availability.
There will be a cash collection for the Devon Air Ambulance service instead of charging a parking fee.
Registration, start and download in the parking field. Finish is 100m from the parking field.
Thank you to Andrea Gosling, Forest Glade Holiday Park for the use of the parking field, toilets, and café.
| Course | Linear distance (km) | Climb (m) |
|---|---|---|
White | 1.4 | 5 |
Yellow | 2.1 | 5 |
Orange | 2.9 | 25 |
Light Green | 3.2 | 60 |
Short Green | 3.1 | 70 |
Green | 4.2 | 65 |
Blue | 5.8 | 145 |
Brown | 7.6 | 195 |
There are two map formats:
The longer courses (Green, Blue and Brown) will cross a minor road. Road crossings will be manned, but only competent under 16s will be allowed to enter the longer courses unaccompanied.
A large proportion of the courses will be on fairly level ground but where there are hills they are steep!
The warm damp summer has meant that significant vegetation (bracken) is hanging on. However this can be avoided with suitable route choice. Ticks are likely in this area so please take precautions and check afterwards. Full body cover mandatory.
Punching is SI & SIAC Contactless
Unfortunately we are not able to supply a string course.
The Club have not been charged for use of the area, but has made a donation to the Devon Air Ambulance Service.
Dog walkers, horse riders, walkers all use the area. Please be considerate. Warning notices have been displayed.
Provisional results will be put up on the website on Monday, 9th October.
| Class | Pre-entry | Late / On the day entry |
|---|---|---|
| Senior | £10 | £12 |
| Senior Novice | £5 | £6 |
| Junior | £5 | £6 |
Entry will remain open on RaceSignUp until midnight on Friday, 6th October. EOD available (£2 extra) as long as maps last.
A standard SI dibber can be hired for free (or £2 for a contactless SIAC dibber). Failure to return it will incur the cost of a replacement (£30 for SI, £60 for SIAC).
Please note that if you enter on the day you run the risk that we have run out of maps for your preferred course.
Please consider buying a pack of pre-entry credits in advance. This costs you the same but saves the club a lot in credit card fees.
Registration from: 10:30 (helpers from 10.00)
Start times from: 11.00 to 13.00 (helpers can start from 10.30)
Pre-entries have selected a start period. Please try to keep to these and remember to punch at the Start and Finish (a punching Start).
Courses close: 14:30 (when controls will be collected)
Start is next to registration in parking field
Dogs allowed on leads
The campsite toilets are available on the left on the way through the Park. Continue on past the Camp Shop to the parking field.
Trophies from 2022/23 QOFL season should be returned to Registration. These can be presented to 2023/24 QOFL winners who were not able to attend the AGM. Certificates for leading 3 places on each course are available.
| Required? | |
|---|---|
| leg covering | yes |
| waterproofs | depends on weather |
| whistle | yes |
| U16 accompanied by responsible adult | no |
| reflective clothing required | no |
| headtorch required | no |
Safety bearings:
Junior courses (A4 maps) should head North to the road where there will be marshalls at the road crossings. Seniors should head North or return to the road crossings if they have crossed it. First Aid will be at Registration. Nearest A&E Hospital is Musgrove Park, TA1 5DB. Tel 01823 333444
Planner: Ray Toomer
Controller: Andy Reynolds (DEVON)
Organiser: Judy & Roger Craddock 01823 323850 jandr.craddock@googlemail.com
Mapper: Andy Rimes
Woodland Course
Blackborough Common
Credit:
Lewis Clarke
Sunset over Blackborough Common
Credit:
Lewis Clarke
Ditch at Blackborough Common
Credit:
Lewis Clarke
Cleared area, Blackborough Common
Credit:
Lewis Clarke
cleared area, Downlands Plantation, Blackborough
Credit:
David Smith
Garnsey's Tower (ruin), Blackborough NE
Credit:
Nick Chipchase
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.