09/03/2024 – 2024 League 3 – Sheepscombe

The terrain is mainly mature beech woodland with a good track network. It is however a working forest and includes an SSSI; therefore, there are some Out Of Bounds areas that must be respected – courses have been planned to avoid these.

In early February there was little undergrowth or brambles in the area, though there were quite significant areas of dying bracken and brashings which will impede progress in places, as well as wet and slippery leaves on slopes and paths. Visibility was very good at that time.

The area has large and significant steep-sided valleys and climb is unavoidable. In recognition of this, straight line distances have been reduced slightly to mitigate the inevitable ascent and descent.

There are many vehicle size tracks which contour both sides of Sheepscombe, which is very steep throughout its length. These are necessarily cut quite deeply into the uphill slope to create a level surface, resulting in near vertical banks 1 - 2m high along the greater part of the uphill side of many of them. Juniors and older competitors should take particular care when dropping down onto, or climbing up off, these tracks. Typically the problem is less marked where a track enters a re-entrant or rounds a spur, where getting onto or off a track is usually easier.

Ebworth and Sheepscombe are popular with walkers, and you may well encounter members of the public, particularly near the assembly area, and the start and finish. Bikes are rarely to be seen however. Please show due consideration and be courteous at all times.

Maps are pre-printed on waterproof papper at a scale of 1:10,000 and 5m contours for all courses, A4 size.

Control descriptions will be text for Yellow and Pictorial for all other courses; loose control descriptions will be available in the start lanes.

The Start is approximately 200 metres from Assembly. The route to the Start will be taped and is on good forest tracks; allow 5 minutes to walk. Please note that the start is on a fairly narrow track on but running parallel with a steep slope; it is a public right of way and so space must be left for walkers and riders. There will be only 3 narrow start lanes, and you should be aware of members of the public and allow them to pass.

The Finish is about 400 metres from the Start, and 200 metres from Assembly and Download. Please remember to download!

The String Course will be located next to the car park in a separate and fenced-off area.

Touch free punching is enabled, but all runners must punch both Start and Finish.

Course details subject to final controlling. Course distances are straight line.

We will use SI Timing, in contact and touch free modes. All runners must however punch the Start and Finish controls.

Those entering Brown should allow sufficient time to complete the course and return to Download before the 14.15 cut-off point.

You MUST go to Download even if you do not complete your course – we need to confirm that you are back safely!

Whistles must be carried by juniors running on their own and are highly recommended for all competitors. If you hear a distress whistle, please go to assist.

The String Course will be located next to the car park in a separate and fenced-off area. If your children would like to do the free string course come to Enquiries to pick up a map. There is a short walk from the Enquiries tent to the string course, and children must be accompanied on this as it traverses the car park. Come back to Enquiries after the course to collect your prize!

In order to minimise demands on scarce volunteer resources we operate a 90 minute start window for this event, and we recognise that this can be a challenge for parents seeking split starts. We are happy to accommodate split starts provided:

• You let us know in advance that you need a split start. Do this by emailing the organiser, address in the introduction above
• You come early; the start team will normally be ready to allow very early starts sometime between 10:30 and the published 11:00 start time, so aim to be there soon after 10:30. We do not offer starts later than the published end of the start window.
• The shorter course runner goes first. We will not turn you away if you can't manage this, but it gives you both a better chance of beating the course closure time.

Entry Details

You should enter the course appropriate to your involvement in the NGOC league, if relevant, or whichever course you choose otherwise.

Starts: 11:00 - 12:30
Courses close: 14:00, meaning that you must report to download before 14:15, or risk disqualification.

SI dibber hire: Standard dibber £1 Adults, Juniors free

Touch Free dibber: £2 Adults, £1 Juniors

Entries are now open, and will close at midnight on Wednesday 6th March.

Entry on the day is possible only while maps last, but note the premium price to discourage this. We should by then be able to accept credit/debit card payments, but this is not guaranteed so bring cash just in case.

A helper discount is available for those offering to help on the day. These events don't happen without volunteers willing to help out on the day, so if you are able to do so, before signing up to enter, email Ian Prowse, Volunteer Coordinator, to let us know if you can help, and ask for the helper discount code that you can apply when entering. You don't have to be a NGOC member to help, but you do need to be a BOF member to be covered insurance wise.

As the Government has removed all restrictions on events and activities, COVID related refunds are no longer available. The standard Fabian4 terms and conditions offer an automatic refund up to 2 months before the event date, and we do not normally vary this specification. That means that in most cases no refunds are possible, as we do not publish details until less than 2 months before the date of the event.

However, for all except large events we hold entries open until only a day or so before the event, so you can delay entry if unsure whether you can run, until very close to event day.

Dogs are permitted on leads in the car park and under close control on the courses. It is a popular area for local members of the public to exercise their dogs.

Limited toilets are available by the car park.

The NGOC café will be available.

If you are interested in obtaining club kit, whilst there will not be an extensive range of sizes to try on at Sheepscombe, we can have a few sizes available for specific items. You can see the options, and a size chart, on the Club Kit page. Email equipment '@' ngoc.org.uk with details of any items, and relevant sizes, you wish to try, and we can have those available.

Please be considerate to other people out walking on the hill, especially on narrow paths.

Orienteering is an adventure sport. All runners take part at their own risk and must take responsibility for their own safety.

There are many steep slopes in the area. Courses are planned to enable as far as possible sensible route choice to lessen ascent and descent, but some is unavoidable. In the event of wet weather, please assess risks on any steep slopes.

You are advised to carry a whistle. Full leg cover is compulsory. In the event of severe weather, a cagoule may be made compulsory.

A Risk Assessment has been completed and a copy will be held at Registration.

A first aid kit and trained first aiders will be present at Registration. Note that we are not permitted to provide epi-pens or antihistamine tablets in the event of stings. If you know you react badly to stings you should carry your own epi-pen or antihistamine tablets.

Orienteering is a great sport for young people. If you bring children, please help us to keep to our safeguarding policy and British Orienteering’s photography policy

Your personal data is used for results and insurance – please see our privacy policy

This event is registered with British Orienteering, number 83556.