The Platform

The Newsletter of South Wales Orienteering Club,
July 2003 Edition

EDITORIALCONGRATULATIONS
SUMMER SCORECOMITTEE NEWS
LAKES - TWIN PEAKSCOMPASSPORT CUP FINAL
JERKSRANKING LIST
CALLENDAR

EDITORIAL

It’s a bumper issue this month due to the numerous excellent articles produced by members. Thank you. I am looking forwards to digging out my O shoes and heading north to Forres, but I’m not so sure about the camping though..Watch this space.


Summer Score

The Summer Score challenge has just finished with Gill Manning a convincing winner and John Mills second.
Most events seem to be attracting a hard core of about 15 runners with some new faces and several people from other clubs although not many managed to do 4 events.
Thanks to the various organisers and to Pete Colbert for doing the scoring. If you have any thoughts on whether the events should continue next year or ideas for improvements, venues etc. Pete would be pleased to hear from you.



Contributions to PLATFORM
Anybody with anything to say please write / e-mail me at 1 Windsor Ave, Radyr,Cardiff, CF15 8BW or e-mail Caroline@ndallimore.freeserve.co.uk Next issue hopefully end of Sept.
    

Congratulations

The following Club members have had outstanding results this years main championships;
M16A Rhodri Buffet 2nd JK & British
W18A Cerys Manning 3rd JK, 2nd British
W60L Judith Powell 3rd JK, 1st British.
Rhodri, Jeff Colbert & Nick Dallimore 2nd Mens Team short course British Champs. Judith and Sue Colbert were winners in their respective classes of the Masters Cup Competition. This competition is based on five scores from a selection of National and Badge events.
Rhodri and Cerys have been selected for the Start Programme again this year and Jonathan Dallimore has been invited to join training at Laggonlia .


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Wanted

WOA rep to represent SWOC at WOA meetings,approximately every 2 months. If interested contact Frank Ince.


Committee News

Plans are afoot to update several of our maps, anyone keen to do some mapping should contact Frank Ince. Our role in the Severnside May Bank holiday weekend has yet to be confirmed


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A WEEKEND IN THE LAKES ( TWIN PEAKS )


A rather poor turnout of SWOCIES for the annual Twin Peak event, myself being the only representative. I picked up Bob Teed, NGOC near Chepstow, Trevor Griffiths BOK, at Almondsbury and then to Winterbourne to meet our driver John Parker BOK, where my car could be safely left at Tony Noott's house. We were all risking our lives being driven by JP, having had previous experience of his rallying ability on the way back from the last Croeso. Whilst driving along the winding road through Staylittle, we nearly disappeared up the front end of a tractor and trailer. I think JP has dreams of being the next Colin McRae, it's a good thing we had TG with us, a retired police driver, who could keep an eye on him.
We left Winterbourne at 07.45, and arrived 221 miles later at 11.30, at the venue for the short race, Great Hagg and Turner Wood, near Haverthwaite. It was a fine, sunny day, the parking field being next to the Haverthwaite Steam railway. At intervals, we were treated to the steam train and carriages, full of people, wondering what all these brightly dressed people were up to. As this was the British Elite Championships, a short and a classic distance race, the Twin Peaks followed the same formula. The short race wasn't well supported, with perhaps only a third of the National event runners taking part. I did Course F, M55s, along with nine other age groups. This was 3.0k and 90 metres of climb, on a postage stamp size map. Only 8 orienteers on my course, 3 errors enough to leave me in 4th place, 13 mins down. Of the others, only BT ran, the other two saving themselves for the National.
Our B x B was at Backbarrow, just around the corner from Newby Bridge, and overlooking the two venues, was only 5 mins away. Greeted by the landlady with hot drinks and homemade scones and strawberry jam, we sat on the veranda facing out over the valley, in the afternoon sunshine. I had booked a table at the nearby Rusland Hotel, so after a rest and a shower, we drove to our evening meal. A good selection of well presented food, at reasonable prices, will go there again. The pub I used to go to, the Anglers Arms, within walking distance, had changed hands a few times since my last visit, and said not to be so good as it was.
Day 2 was at High Dam. It started raining heavy in the night, and drizzled most of the morning. As anyone will know who has run there, High Dam is a physical and technical challenge, very wet and boggy underfoot. M55s was 4.1k and 190m of climb. Five errors, about 14 mins, was enough to drop me from @6th place to 14th out of 29. North of High Dam lake, is a area of woodland walk, which has earned the nickname, the "Bermuda Triangle". An area of low bushy trees, very boggy, with crags etc., hidden amongst them. When BT got to the area, he said there were about 20 people looking for controls. With all the other good terrain on the map, I don't know why they use it, it is very bingoish. M45L and M55L had 11 and 19 retirals, unusual for those age groups, some good orienteers retiring, mainly due to controls in this area.
The journey home started in torrential rain on the M6, but changed to showers and sunshine most of the way back, the usual Sunday afternoon delays north of Birmingham.
Alan MacKenzie


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A SWOC's TALE – THERE AND BACK AGAIN - Saturday 31 May 2003


Sometime during the afternoon, two SWOC's set off on a long quest to help the fellowship retain the coveted CompassSport Cup. Rumours were rife that Sarum was building an army that may prove to be too powerful and too strong to be defeated. Our heroes travelled light and were armed with only a compass and map to help with navigation, a few bottles of wine (and coke) to keep up spirits, and 13 one-hour audio cassettes of the Lord of the Rings to help keep the driver and passenger awake on the long journey east. Would the quest be successful?
Five hours later, just after Pippin and Merry had escaped the orcs and met Treebeard, our travellers found a hostelry for the night deep in the County of Norfolk. Our hosts were friendly people, so friendly that the few bottles of wine (and indeed a few more) were quickly consumed and a good night's sleep was had by all in readiness for the looming battle the following morning.
By the time Helm's Deep had been saved the remaining fourteen members of the fellowship had joined our heroes. The battle was set to commence. Many members had already fallen by the wayside. Early skirmishes had been fought and taken their toll. The travels of others had taken them far from the battlefield. Tales were told of some seen sailing in Greek waters, others being waylaid by intellectual challenges and some by injuries.
Initial impressions of the battlefield were not good. The terrain was flat, very flat, features seemed few if not non-existent and the Bracken was ominously tall.
Sarum, the enemy, seemed more numerous (too many to count) and strategically well positioned with a good array of start times. Would the dreaded elephant trails provide the late starters with significant advantages? The early starters had not returned before the rest of fellowship began their challenges. Whilst the tracks were numerous, the features were indistinct and difficult to locate at anything greater than walking pace. Lauren had to navigate through thick bracken towering over her, Rhodri was handicapped by a twisted ankle at control two and our brave captain had to succeed despite no sleep for two days.
Times were slow, but would they be quicker than our challengers? Good results were achieved by Rhodri (despite the ankle), Lauren and Frank (and everyone else on course E), to name but a few. But the fellowship could not paper over the cracks of a weakened team. The combination of sheer numbers, speed, fitness (and dare I say it) skill of the Sarum force proved too much. Our quest was not successful. A new champion was crowned. Was there enough time to listen to the remaining 6 tapes on the return home? Not quite. Last heard of Frodo had been stung by a large spider and Strider was strengthening his army to defeat Sarum in the final battle. Put a date in your diary for 14 March 2004 when a new quest will begin.

Nigel Ferrand


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The Juniors at the JIRCS –
Cannock Chase – 28, 29 June
There were a lot of juniors racing for Wales at the JIRCS this year, (not quite a full team). The team consisted of :
• W14 – Anwen Darlington, Becky Hoare, Lauren Ferrand and Holly Bryant
• M14 – Jonathan Dallimore and Michael Bryant
• W16 – Claire Dallimore, Jenny Hoare and Sian Fryer
• M16 – Rhodri Buffet, Mathew Jones and Rhys Roberts
• W18 – Cerys Manning
• M18 – Dan Tinker and Nick Tinker
The first day of the JIRCS went pretty well and Wales managed to gain 9th place, which is quite good considering the fact that we didn't have a full team.
After the racing the squad enjoyed an hour of jumping and splashing in the nearby swimming pool. (although most of the adults declined this offer and sat down to watch TV instead!).
The relays also went well although the finish was horrible. It was 500 metres long with a steep hill at the end. This didn't deter the Welsh though, as we managed to bag 7th position overall.
It was a good weekend and I think everyone had a good time. Lets hope it goes as well next year.
Lauren Ferrand


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INITIAL SWOC RANKING LIST FOR 2002/03 -
Events from Sept 02 to Aug 03
 
  Pos   Name    Class    Total     Events  
  1    Cerys  Manning   W16     2922     10     
  2    Rhodri  Buffett   M16     2889     10     
  3    Judith  Powell   W60     2856     10     
  4    Jill  Manning   W50     2734     10     
  5    James  Clemence   M40     2733     10     
  6    Jon  Dallimore   M14     2726     10     
  7    Clare  Dallimore   W16     2659     10     
  8    Frank  Ince   M60     2646     10     
  9    Nick  Dallimore   M45     2600     10     
  10    Jeffrey  Colbert   M20     2498     10     
  11    Neil  Grant   M50     2453     10    
  12    Alan  Mackenzie   M55     2393     10     
  13    Lauren  Ferrand   W14     2372     10     
  14    Sarah  Bayliss   W35     2363     10     
  15    Rhys  Manning   M21     2339     10     
  16    Helen  Sharp   W35     2312     10     
  17    Sue  Colbert   W55     2193     10     
  18    John  Mills   M50     2188     10     
  19    Gareth  Buffett   M50     2143     10     
  20    Kate  Balmond   W50     2120     10     
  21    Peter  Colbert   M50     2038     10     
  22    Graham  Tough   M55     2006     10     
  23    Caroline  Dalli're   W45     2000     10     
  24    Nigel  Ferrand   M45     1989     10     
  25    Clare  Grant   W45     1780     10     
  26    Kevin  Bush   M45     1762     10     
  27    Jane  Ritchie   W45     1730     10     
  28    Richard  Jones   M35     1599     10     
  29    Nyall  Meredith   M45     1422     10     
  30    Carys  Morgan   W21     1385     8     
  31    Vlad  Kuznetsov   M45     1346     6     
  32    Havard  Prosser   M55     1316     6     
  33    Michelle  Tinker   W21     1262     7     
  34    Alex  Lyne   M21     1247     6     
  35    Adrian  Moir   M40     1207     7     
  36    Colin  Powell   M65     1186     6     
  37    Peter  Nicholson   M50     984     5     
  38    Alan  Hartley   M21     942     7     
  39    Mike  Down   M45     593     5     
  40    Ellie  Clemence   (W6)     542     3     
  41    Barbara  Prosser   W50     496     3     
  42    Kate  Ince   W50     467     6     
  43    Chris  Poole   M21     448     2     
  44    Alun  Morgan   M60     424     3     
  45    Lizzie  Clemence   W12     423     3     
  46    Malcolm  Graham   M35     409     2     
  47    Richard  Howells   M45     302     2     
  48    Claire  Prosser   W20     291     1     
  49    Marianne  Morfey   W12     260     1     
  50    Peter  Morfey   M45     179     1     
  51    George  Oakley   M16     167     2    
  52    Alison  Stevens   W35     153     2    
  53    Isobel  Moir(W6)   W10     152     1    
  54    Peter  Ribbans   M45     137     1    
  55    Jane  Ince   W12     134     1    
  56    Christian  Bartlett   M21     107     2    
  57    Claire  Mackenzie   W21     99     1    
  58    Lyndon  Sutton   M50     90     1    
  59    Joel  Ferrand   M16     70     1    
  Events included
 14/15 Sep 02 Caddihoe
 14 Sep 02 SHI
 28 Sep 02 Llangynidr
 28 Sep 02 VHI
 29 Sep 02 Merthyr Mawr
 5 Oct 02 JHI
 6 Oct 02 Pendle Hill
 13 Oct 02 Eryri Badge event
 19/20 Oct 02 Twin Peaks
 3 Nov 02 Nov Classic
 3 Nov 02 Tinto event
 10 Nov 02 CC Trophy Final
 10 Nov 02 Benarty event
 17 Nov 02 Glenearn event
 24 Nov 02 New Beechenhurst
 1 Dec 02 Wenallt
 8 Dec 02 QO Galoppen
 17 Dec 02 OK Nuts Trophy
 12 Jan 03 Purdown
 19 Jan 03 Sallowvalletts
 25/26 Jan 03 Thetford
 2 Feb Chiltern Challenge
 2 Feb Sherwood Forest
 9 Feb Box Hill
 16 Feb Burnham Beeches
 16 Feb Weston Heath
 16 Feb Lords Wood
 23 Feb Brown Clee
 23 Feb Cosmeston
 2 Mar Welsh Champs
 8 Mar FCC Hawkbatch
 8 Mar Mid Night Champs
 9 Mar Sheerbrook
 16 Mar Ragley
 23 Mar Cwmdare
 30 Mar Dorset Delight
 6 Apr Gare Hill
 6 Apr Drunbuie
 13 Apr Caerwent
 19/20 Apr JK
 27 Apr Butter Wood
 27 Apr Worcester Beacon
 4 May Bentley Wood
 4 May Bixslade
 11 May Fonthill
 17 May BOC
 25/26 May SINS
 1 Jun CC Final
 7 Jun BEOC Short Race
 8 Jun High Dam


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Callendar 

July
13th HOC Col coded Malvern Hills SO760380 Rollo Rumford 019905 726967 ( no Brown)
20th SWOC Score Relay Wenallt, organiser Graham Tough, details from Nick Dallimore
02920842481.

August
27th July -2nd Scottish 6 Day Event
17th SBOC Col Coded Welsh League Pant Mawr/OFD SN856155 Roger Stein 01792296122
31st NGOC Chairman's Challenge Club BBQ Soudley Ponds SO/657105 Roger Coe 01594 51044

September
6th SWOC Welsh League Llangattock Nyall Meredith
7th SWOC Merthyr Common Judith Powell
20-21st Caddihoe Chase Badge event, Princetown James Head 01752 695776
21st NGOC League 1 (J) Sheepscombe SO/914188 E McLarnon 01242 673079
28th Sarum Saunter Collingbourne Wood SU272528 John Parfitt 01985216371

October
12th HOC Col coded Croft Castle, Ludlow SO450656 Rollo Rumford 019905 726967
12th NGOCInformal Cleeve Hill SO/994248 Carol Stewart 01242 514988
19thWRE Badge Hopton WoodSO355782 P Pay 01746762198
26th NGOC League 2 Parkend SO/608079 Lin Callard 01453 843793
26th SWOC Local Cwm Lickey Y,O,G, ORGANISER WANTED

November
2 NGOC Informal (J) Standish Wood SO/838087 Steve Williams 01242 571589
9 th NGOC Night Sallowvalletts SO/608116 David Jones 01684 573372
23th NGOC League 3 Cranham SO/883131 Roger Coe 01594 510444
30th November SWOC Local Draethan Y,O,G, ORGANISER WANTED.

Dececmber
7 th NGOCInformal (J) Kidnalls SO/634032 Bill Budden 01452 790435
14 thNGOC Night Cranham SO/883131 Malcolm Green 01242 863064

January
1st NGOC New Years Day Score Painswick SO/870118 Dave Hartley 01452 863805
19th SLOG Gallopen Sallowvalletts SO/608116 David Bramley 01793 759470
25th Night Blakeney Hill SO/667067 Eddie McLarnon 01242 673079

Coming soon—for those of you who enjoyed the last event , another chance to compete in
this challenging area. A fast flat course with numerous man-made objects to negotiate –
great fun!!!
April 13 th NGOC Badge Caerwent ST/477903 Roger Coe 01594 510444