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Castle Neroche

QOFL3

Sun 13 Nov

Near: Staple Fitzpaine
Level of event: Local

Type of event: Race

A return to this Blackdowns wood with fairly complex contours in spring-like sunshine. UPDATED with the planner and organiser comments.

Results

Results and Splits (provisional)
Routegadget
League Tables
Discussion

Planner comments from Andy:

Thanks to everyone who came along to the Castle Neroche QOFL event which was blessed with lovely sunshine all day long. More like a late spring event than one in the middle of November. This was my first foray into planning a QOFL having cut my teeth on a few JOGs over the years. A big thank you to Chris Philip for helping me refine and improve the courses over what seems an eternity – a larger event encompassing Staple Common in addition to Castle Neroche was planned last year but couldn’t happen for various reasons. Also a big thank you to Angela Modica for stepping in last minute to be controller on the day.

I appreciated all the positive comments on the day, and that most people enjoyed most of their run. I seems the courses were about the right difficulty and length and provided an achievable and challenging run. I do appreciate that the map is in need of updating for the increased brambles and vegetation; the courses were planned to avoid the worst of the brambles – believe me I tried, you should try venturing into other parts of the forest!

Again thank you to everyone involved in the organising, the permissions, the courses, helping out on the day and for coming along and getting out there.


Organiser comments from Karen:

Thank you to everybody that turned up for this event. We had good turnout and the weather was absolutely perfect.

Bearing in mind the restraints of the area, Andy produced some challenging courses. Although I did not go out myself, the feedback I received from competitors was generally positive.

Thank you to all those that stepped up to help – you all did a grand job.


Forest League 2022/23 Series Info

Local events 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.

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 2022-23

Code of Conduct

Please make sure you have read and comply with the Participant Code Of Conduct and, if applicable, the Parent Code Of Conduct.

Directions / Parking

Parking on the forest track leading up to registration. There is an overflow car park across the road.


Course Information

CourseDistanceHeight gain
White1.4km25m
Yellow1.8km65m
Orange2.1km140m
Light Green
2.7km165m
Short Green
2.6km130m
Green3.4km230m
Blue4.9km295m

(Updated 30/10)

Please note:

  • Many of the streams and ditches are dry due to fallen trees over the summer blocking existing routes; water has found other ways.
  • Several the ponds are now either completely dry or just marshy.
  • There are many hides in the area which are constantly being built up and removed. It is possible that others exist on the ground which are not on the map and vice versa.


Entry Details

Pre-entry closes on 11 November 2022.

Please note that if you enter on the day you run the risk that we have run out of maps for your preferred course.

Pre-enter

ClassPre-entry FeeEOD Fee
Senior £9 £10
Senior Novice £5 £6
Junior £3 £4
Group £13 £15
  • Junior - anyone 21 years or younger at the time of the event, regardless of the course they are running.
  • Senior novice - an adult running White or Yellow.
  • Group - all going round a course together, two maps provided - please contact us to arrange if wanting to pre-enter a group.

An SI dibber can be hired for £1. Failure to return it will incur the cost of a replacement (£30).

If you are a helper at this event, please contact the organiser for the discount code.

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.

Buy Credits


Registration & Start Times

Start open at 1100 (1030 for helpers).

Last start is 1300 and courses close at 1430.


Dog restrictions

Dogs allowed on lead

Safety

Required?
leg covering yes
waterproofs depends on weather
whistle yes
U16 accompanied by responsible adult no
reflective clothing required no
headtorch required no


Contacts / Officials

Planner: Andy Bussell

Controller: Chris Philip

Organiser: Karen Lewis

Photo Gallery

Castle Neroche ramparts

Castle Neroche ramparts
Credit: Simon Beck

Castle Neroche Top

Castle Neroche Top

Earthbank at Neroche

Earthbank at Neroche
Credit: The Pages

Nice runnable downhill, Neroche

Nice runnable downhill, Neroche
Credit: The Pages

Training 17 3 Neroche Path

Training 17 3 Neroche Path

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.