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Controllers Comments.

Being a Controller in this digital age makes me feel more like an 'out- of -controller'. The clever people with their fingers on the buttons are quite laid back about things but I, with my old fashioned ideas, get quite twitchy about maps being printed 36 hours ahead. How am I to know the circles will be where agreed? Well they were ( except for one, and I moved the control ) and it all came together on the day.

Some of John's courses tended to be on the quick side- particuarly Yellow which turned out to be under the guidelines for time, though not distance. This was no doubt helped by the fact that competitors now have to have their maps supplied at registration.

In retrospect I should not have accepted control 168 on the Brown, Blue and Green as the difficulty of finding a path through the gorse made it somewhat unfair. I have been familiar with this pit for over 10 years, and it is positioned correctly, but now the growth in the gorse means it is not useable as a control site.

Finally, can I say, do not rely on clubs being able to hire out a SI 'dibber'. A few had to go without. If you are continuing to orienteer do consider purchasing your own,--you wouldn't go to a tennis club without a racket.

Norman Hall

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Planners Comments


Well, I didn’t really plan the weather very well! The persistent drizzle and fog was tedious for putting out the controls, and for most of the running. However, the rain stopped and there were just leaden skies by lunchtime. At least the collecting in of the controls was dry.

First of all I must thank Garry Langston, Tim Gray, Dennis Keley, Jim Knight and Ian Jones for helping me with the putting out and taking in of controls at various times through the weekend. The most heartfelt thanks must go to Norman for being such a considerate Controller – for almost a year we have corrected the map, discussed the suitability of control sites, checked the marking tapes and discussed the fairness of courses and their interaction. Thanks also, Jane, for information on various points, and to Neil Lawford for correcting the map whenever we asked.

I was at the Finish for most of the day, and took your comments on the courses and control sites to heart. The White course was found easy and enjoyable, whereas the Blue and Brown courses were found technical and physically difficult. A glance at the times achieved leads me to believe that I got the distances and technicality about right. You thought that the mapping around the north end of Oldacre needed some improvement, particularly around the old sewage works and the quarry – yes, I agree (the map is correct as far as it goes, but some of the humps and bumps are not mapped, and the quarry boundary fence needs better definition). The chief hate seemed to be the pit surrounded by gorse in northeast Oldacre – some of you described this as a “Bingo Control”, but I am not sure that I agree entirely; it is surrounded by gorse, but is easily found by aiming off from the path junction to the southwest. Some of you on the Light Green and Green courses commented that the Start did not point in the direction of the first leg. One competitor even commented that at the Start they always followed the pack! This was a trap for the unwary, and a classic orienteering error. In fact the Start did point in the direction of the first leg for six of the courses (White, Yellow, Orange, Red, Blue and Brown). However, because Light Green and Green are technical courses it was found necessary within the lengths available to move the runners east over to the Sherbrook technical area as soon as possible, and this required a fast path run at first, actually passing the Finish within a short distance – I am sorry if you found this unusual, but I thought the creation of a second Start for the Light Green and Green courses unjustified.

Thanks for your comment, and I certainly enjoyed planning a familiar area for me, but one little known for some orienteers, particularly the south Oldacre area.

John Wilcock

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Organisers Comments.

Despite the poor weather, I was delighted to see 350 orienteers of all ages and abilities turn out to support this District and Yvette Baker qualifier event.

As well as orienteering there were other activities in the locality; mountain-bike O-racing and "twitchers". The birdwatchers had turned up to sight Grey Shrike and Dartford Warbler, the latter not seen in Staffs since the late 19th century I was informed!

Organisationally, the event was not entirely smooth; initially, heavy demand at registration caused queues, possibly due to administration of Yvette Baker entrants. Towards midday, our stock of hire e-cards (dibbers) had been exhausted but fortunately a few club spares plugged the gaps. I apologise to those who suffered inconvenience. WCH will address these shortcomings.

One item of lost property was handed to me; a metal key-ring and black plastic key-fob (no key) with blue buttons and a red LED. Possibly it's a toy but if you are the owner and want it returned then please contact me.

Finally I extend a big thank-you to the teams of club volunteers that helped with the organisation of today's event. Overall, it seemed to be a success.

Dave Thomas.