The third and last of our Quantock Hills based QOFL events this season:
Open moorland and combes with vistas stretching out to sea across to South Wales ..... and unfortunately the awful carbuncle that is the Hinkley C site
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 five 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 2024/25 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.
Parking is at Staple Plain Car park (TA4 4EB) at the end of Hill lane - Google Maps
Parking will be between 0 and 500 metres from registration
Course Information
Course
Length
Climb
Brown
7.7km
313m
Blue
6.2km
270m
Green
3.6km
115m
Short Green
3.2km
95m
Light Green
3.0km
70m
Orange
3.1km
80m
Yellow
2.1km
50m
White
1.7km
30m
Planner notes:
The area is high and exposed and therefore can attract very bad weather. All courses, even the junior ones venture out on the open moorland with no cover. Please come dressed appropriately and bring whistles/cagoules- these may be made compulsory if the weather is poor on the day.
Recent very heavy storms and associated rainfall has left marshy areas extremely boggy in places- expect wet feet on the day.
Areas of undergrowth mapped with the green vertical striped lines are very variable in nature ranging from simple ankle height heather and dying bracken to full blown waist deep gorse. This varies each season and is impossible to map accurately. Most areas contain a mixture of all so we advise long course runners that venture off paths to don some form of shin protection if you can- or suffer in silence as you have been warned! If you decide to deliberately cross these areas to save a minute or two, you do so at your own risk.
Entry Details
Class
Pre-entry
Late / On the day entry
Senior
£10
£12
Senior Novice
£5
£6
Junior
£5
£6
Group
£7
£9
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, Yellow or Orange.
Group - all going round a course together, two maps provided.
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, £80 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.
Due to being held on a Saturday, slightly later times than normal Sunday based QOFL events, to allow for controls placement in the morning:
Registration open: 11.30hrs : Starts from 12.00 to 14.00hrs : Courses close 15.30hrs
Start is 700m from registration with 70m climb. The finish is very close to Staple Plain Car park and download will be next to registration in the car park too.
Facilities
There will be portaloos on site near registration/download.
Safety Information
Whistles and leg coverings required (Waterproofs may be required)
Contacts / Officials
Planner: Andy Rimes results@
Controller: Matt Atkins (Devon)
Organiser: Robin Fieldhouse
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.
Photo Gallery
Staple Plain, towards Weacombe
Credit:
Stephen Wilks
The start looking towards Exmoor and Bristol Channel
St Audries deer park's funny gate
Credit:
Roger Cornfoot