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Planner’s Comments

Yes, it was tough and I am sorry if some of you felt it was a bit too much. The wet conditions plus the heavy rain the previous night meant that the ground was very energy sapping. Also I was stuck with the problem of the car park being at almost the highest point of the Chase so that nearly everyone had a considerable climb at the end. There were several retirements on the Orange course, which initially I had thought was a bit on the easy side. Orange is rated at Technical Difficulty 3 (maximum is 5) but I had all the controls on line features (paths, streams, vegetation boundaries) except two re-entrants, which were near paths. These line features could all be joined up and used as handrails, which is the way to do it if your navigation is a bit dodgy.

I was most pleased with the White course which had lots of interest packed into its 1.2km. It went between 160m long yew hedges, past ruins of a mansion built for Henry VIII’s Chancellor, over a dam by a lake, a stone quarry, woodland paths and to the start of Marquis Drive which used to run right across the Chase. Sadly there were only 10 entrants.

Returning to planning after many years I found that e-punching has greatly increased the load. The planning to get the boxes out, and in, is a task in itself. Thanks to all who helped me.

Norman Hall

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Controller’s Comments

In theory, February is an ideal time to race on the Chase, but my first inspection of Norman’s courses over the Christmas period proved that this rule had some exceptions. The excessive undergrowth in Beaudesert in areas of runnability on the map, coupled with the inevitable climb to the finish meant that careful consideration was required regarding course lengths and planning. I’m sure you all appreciated the finish by the fence, which was the original last control before the planned finish at the top of the hill!

Winning times on the longer courses were a little short of the recommended times, but the spread was quite large which I think justified the slightly shorter courses.

Thanks go to Walton Chasers for once again delivering a high quality event. Chris’s organisation ran smoothly and Norman provided interesting courses. Special thanks go to Carol and Neil Lawford, to Carol for assisting me in checking controls on the White and Yellow courses, and to Neil for fathoming out the computer system to deliver results in the absence of the usual experts.

Last but not least, thanks to you the competitors for coming. I hope you enjoyed Cannock Chase at its best (in Theory).

Steve Clayton

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Organiser’s Comments

Considering that there were two competing events on the day, one in the East Midlands and the other, a national event, we had a good turn-out. Thanks to you all for coming. The weather was kind to us this time and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves. Organisation of an event is much simpler if permanent buildings are available. I also had two assistants, Andy Goode and Jim Matthews to help me, and I am grateful to them for their help. The first meeting that we had at Beaudesert had to be postponed, because Jim and Andy were involved in a collision with another car coming the other way on the wrong side of the road, while on their way to the meeting. Andy’s car was written off and they both ended up in hospital. Fortunately, they had recovered by the time of the event.

It was good to see some old faces, including one Mr K Broad of BOK, and some new ones, including Mark Thomson of FVO, who says he now restricts his orienteering to Sundays and will not be repeating last year’s feat of 140 events in one year.

I would like to thank the trustees of Beaudesert Scout and Guide camp for allowing us to use the camp and thanks to you all for coming.

Chris Horwill

Lost property: Compass found in the forest after the event. Contact the organiser on 01889 270529.