All posts by Vince Grealy

News

British Orienteering celebrates 50 years!

2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of the British Orienteering Federation. On the 17 June this year it is exactly 50 years since the British Orienteering Federation came into being. The inaugural meeting was held at 7.30 p.m. on 17 June 1967 in Barnard Castle, and the first British Orienteering Championships were held in Hamsterley Forest, Co. Durham the following day.

There is a programme of activities planned to celebrate this special milestone. There is a special Golden Jubilee anniversary edition of Focus membership magazine which marks the occasion and progression of the sport over the 50 years. We have already enjoyed a celebratory cake and a display for members at the Annual General Meeting on 14 April at Brunel University in Uxbridge, London. A Golden Jubilee anniversary film focusing on the past, the present and the future of the sport will be launched on the British Orienteering website on the actual 50th anniversary date – this Saturday!

On Wednesday evening this week we were delighted to welcome Mike Bushell BBC One Breakfast Sports Presenter to a South East Lancashire Orienteering Club at Media City, Salford, Manchester. Mike took part in the orienteering event at Media City which was planned as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations to showcase our sport of orienteering. The filming is due to be shown on BBC One Breakfast Show this Saturday (17 June 2017) from 6.30am through to 9.30am.

Mike Hamilton, Chief Executive of British Orienteering, says:

“2017 is the 50th Anniversary of the creation of British Orienteering and whilst we have few resources to ‘splash out’ on the celebrations we hope that all involved in orienteering in whatever capacity will be able to celebrate this achievement in some small ways – well done British Orienteering, you’ll soon be 50!”

The word “orienteering” – you think about running in the countryside probably lost with a compass and a map. Orienteering is not just for the super active or elite athletes. The whole family can take part. Orienteering is all about navigating the fastest way around a set course, which often involves running straight through the trees, climbing hills and crossing diches. It’s a great sport as courses are set in beautiful countryside, and there are always lots of people running about.

With the 50 year celebrations underway it is certainly a good time to take a closer look at the sport of orienteering. Most orienteering takes place in forests or moorland often in stunning scenery. However there are now several city-based orienteering courses too. There are many permanent orienteering courses installed around the country. These are listed online at www.britishorienteering.org.uk – just click on ‘Go Orienteering’ for the details.

Events, News

Junior League Winners Decided

Saturday saw the conclusion of the 2016/17 Claro Junior League with a popular event in Valley Gardens. There were 33 individual runs around the busy park, with some competitors having to negotiate hazards like a group of Morris Dancers.

Thanks are due to the league organiser, Jemima Parker, for all her hard work and Richard Kirk for his coaching effort as well as all the club volunteer planners and helpers.

This year’s winners are below. A special mention goes to Charlie Hobson, who was the only one to attend all 6 events. Prizes will be awarded at the annual Club Picnic event on Sat 1 July, also in Valley Gardens.

Winners 2016/17

M8- Charlie Hobson
M10 Rufus Maclean
M12 Luke Fry
M14 Owen Taylor
M16+ Matthew Rochester
W8- Isla Reid
W10 Jasmine Hobson
W14 Tamsin Ker
Primary School Oatlands
Secondary School King James

Events

Harlow Hill Lamp-O – 22 Feb 17

There was a great turnout last night for the 4th Lamp-O of the series organised by Tim Evans. Lots of shiny new CLARO jackets were on display as well, with Linda handing more out – just in time for the CompassSport Trophy.

UPDATE – 3rd March 17 : Tim has amended the results and added some jolly interesting comments about lamppost locations… you can read more here.

Tim’s Organiser Comments: Thank you to all 20 of you for turning out on what was a pleasant winter evening.  I hope you enjoyed the course; all controls were visited. The results are currently draft as given the number who got number 12 wrong there will be a stewards enquiry tomorrow evening when I cycle past it. I have accepted all answers for 15 as it was a faint 1 on the control box, and I have also accepted 11 where the word “veg” was written as it is fairly overgrown. Special mention must go to Luke Parker, whose handwriting was the only one I couldn’t decipher. His squiggles for 1,2 & 3 were indistinguishable so I gave him half of them. He still came second, beaten by Leon Foster who visited 27 of the controls. First lady back was Vicky Bailey who was 4th overall with no mistakes (including number 12). The next event is in central Harrogate on the 8th March. See you there!
Tim Evans

Activities

Club Coaching – Be a Better Orienteer!

Richard Kirk and Jemima Parker will be conducting two more coaching sessions building on basic techniques covered before Christmas.  These will be:

  • Saturday 28 January 2017 – Relocation techniques
  • Saturday 4 February 2017 – Distance estimation

Venue:  Valley Gardens, Harrogate.  Meet at the Crucifix Memorial near the edge of the wooded area to the south west of the mini-golf course.  Grid Ref: SE 291548.

Parking: in either Ebor Rise or Harlow Moor Drive.

Timing:  each session will start at 14.00 and will last 90 minutes.

Equipment:  Compasses and maps will be provided.

Clothing:  Please wear suitable clothes and footwear for running/walking on wet and muddy ground in and out of the woods and not only on paths.   We will be active most of the time, but there will be some standing around during explanation/teaching, so dress warmly.

Under 16’s should be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

Events

CST 2017

Message from Mike Hind – CompassSport Trophy Team Manager:

Hi all.

It’s that time of year again! This is my first call out for runners for this year’s team. I want you ALL.  That is every man Jack (and Jill) to turn out on March 12th at CLOK’s Cringle Moor event to represent Claro. The more runners we have the better we will perform. The area is a good one and I’ll try to get a map sent out (when I find it and get it scanned).

All I need from you is (for example)

  • Name ……………………Arabella Higginbottom
  • Age class………………..W90
  • BO number……………..268122
  • SI dibber number…….10943

If you don’t reply at all now – there will be reminders arriving about weekly up till the closing date.

Mike H

Events

Winter Lampo is on

Our Winter StreetO (or Lampo) events are on again starting next week. Why not work off a few of those mince pies in the company of fellow CLAROs and get out for a run? All welcome, but U16s must bring an adult that can keep up. Full details here.

Activities

Coaching – Compass work

If you have never really used a compass in orienteering, or if you think you need a refresher, then the next CLARO coaching session is for you. The session title is “Introduction to the Orienteering Compass and its use” and it will include a demonstration and some exercises, plus a short score event if time permits.

Please meet at 2.00pm on Saturday 25th November 2016 at the Crucifix monument (just near the top end of the mini-golf course) in Valley Gardens, Harrogate. Cost £1.50. Each session will last about 90 minutes.

No specialist equipment is needed. Compasses will be provided. Wear suitable footwear for running on rough ground and clothing appropriate to being outside whatever the weather – preferably clothes that you don’t mind getting muddy.

For further information, contact me, Richard Kirk, Coach, CLARO. 01423 879313  or richardk@claro-orienteering.org.uk.

Activities

COACHING WITH CLARO

If you have tried orienteering and want to be better, want to know what it is all about, love maps and working with them – or just want to run, come along to my coaching sessions on 5 and 26 November 2016.

Each activity will be made up of demonstrating orienteering techniques, trying them out and then applying them in two competition courses.

Please meet at 2.00pm at the Crucifix monument (just near the top end of the mini-golf course) in Valley Gardens, Harrogate. Cost £1.50. Each session will last about 90 minutes.

No specialist equipment is needed. Wear suitable footwear for running on rough ground and clothing appropriate to being outside whatever the weather – preferably clothes that you don’t mind getting muddy.

For further information, contact me, Richard Kirk, Coach, CLARO. 01423 879313  or richardk@claro-orienteering.org.uk.