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Ham Hill

QOFL 6

Sun 3 Apr

Near: Stoke-sub-Hamdon
Level of event: Local

Type of event: Race

Brian Pearson, Bill Vigar, and Ray Toomer put together a novel QOFL that extended the technical area of Ham Hill into a newly mapped section previously Winchcombe Village.

Updated with organiser and controller comments.


Results

Results and Splits
Routegadget
Discussion

Brian, Bill and Ray produced courses on a double-sided map using different scales as well as different mappers which presented a challenge everyone seemed to enjoy! The splendid weather helped and despite the late arrival of the organiser (Ollie Rant - who was on the podium in the Taunton Half marathon) seemed to run smoothly.

Comments from the organiser, Ollie:

Thank you to everybody that turned up for this event. We had a much greater turnout than I could have imagined and arguably perfect weather for orienteering.

There was a bit of a struggle to summon a sufficient number of volunteers to help with the day. However, we did just manage to gain a full suit just in time. Due to bad planning on my behalf, I was occupied in the morning at the Taunton Half Marathon, but thankfully Roger and Judy saved the day and stepped up to act as organisers on the ground for the morning.

Brian, Bill, Ray and Jim produced some interesting courses, utilising two sides of the map at different scales. Although I did not have the time (or the legs) to run any of the courses, all the feedback I received from competitors was overwhelmingly positive. A big thank you to everybody who made the day run so smoothly.


Comments from the controller, Ray:

From the Controller’s perspective I found the day very enjoyable with all participants in a friendly and positive mood. The added challenge of the two sided map with differing scales was much commented on and seemed to be positively relished by competitors.

The good feedback on the enjoyability of the courses and the absence of comments of wrong/dodgy placement of controls I think stemmed from the vision of the Planner and attention to detail in the preparation. The openness of the (planning, mapping, controlling) group to discuss and change the map and courses was refreshing with a strong emphasis on getting things right.

Well done also to the organising team for making it all happen so smoothly.


Forest League 2021/22 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.

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.

Fixture list


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

Car park reserved exclusively for the event.


Course Information

Suitable for all ages and abilities.

Provisional courses:

Route to Start 450m along a footpath (signed and taped). Finish is by car park/ registration.

CourseLength/kmClimb/m
Blue 4.9185
Green 3.9110
Short Green 3.090
Light Green 3.080
Orange 2.045
Yellow 1.925
White 1.915


Entry Details

Pre-entry closes on Friday 1 April.

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-entryOn the day entry
Senior £8 £9
Senior Novice £3 £4
Junior £3 £4
Group £9 £10
  • 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.

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

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


Electronic timing

SI will be used but contactless punching (SIAC) will not be enabled.


Registration & Start Times

EventTime
Start opens 1100
Start closes 1300
Courses close 1500

Helpers can start from 1030 - remember to get your discount code from the organiser before entering.


Safety

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

Light Green and above courses will cross the road, using optional and mandatory crossings, marked on the map but not on the ground. These will not be marshalled. Under 16's will need to be accompanied by an adult for these courses. Competitors are not to run along the road that is marked by crosses. White to Orange courses do not cross any roads.


Maps

Two maps are being used printed back to back: Ham Hill East - Scale 1:7500 with 5m contours - a new area for orienteering, this can be described as Big Country and the longer courses will encounter most of the climb here. All courses use this map with the shorter courses keeping to the plateau. Due to the likely presence of cattle please close the gates by looping the chain over the post. There is one gate permanently locked marked by a cross, midway along the top of the escarpment. It is not recommend to cross the fence affecting all courses as it has barbed wire. Yellow has a mandatory gate crossing. Ham Hill West - Scale 1:5000 with 2.5m contours - an intricate area with small contour features from years of mining requiring a change of technique. Note that mining marked OOB is still taking place near the north end. Courses Light Green to Blue use this map as part 2 - the switchover is a control at a gate, don't forget to punch this!

Photo Gallery

Ham Hill View From

Ham Hill View From
Credit: Eugene Birchall

Old quarry spoil heaps, Ham Hill

Old quarry spoil heaps, Ham Hill
Credit: Jim Champion

standing stones at Ham Hill

standing stones at Ham Hill

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.