Updated:

25/02/2023 – WNL 2022-23 Final – Symonds Yat

25/02/2023 – WNL 2022-23 Final – Symonds Yat
Updated:
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25/02/2023 - WNL 2022-23 Final - Symonds Yat

The Western Night League is a series of 60-minute score events, taking place after dark in the winter - headtorches required!  Each control in the forest is worth a given number of points: score as many points as you can by visiting controls, and get back within the time limit to avoid late penalties.

This is our third WNL race of the current season, and we are proud to be hosting the final race of the 2022-2023 series.

Enter OnlineEnter on Fabian4.co.uk by midnight on Wednesday 22nd February. Please try not to leave it to the last minute to enter.

Officials

Organiser/Planner: Andy Creber. Queries? email Andy.

Directions and Parking

Parking is in the Symonds Yat public car park. This is a Pay and Display car park. We are waiting to hear from Forestry England whether the parking charges will apply for the event, as normally the car park would close at 17:30. The charges are £2 for 2 hours, £4 for 4 hours, cash only, no change given, or pay via RingGo. We suggest you bring cash in case it's needed, but will update this notice when we know more.
What 3 Words:  ///sharper.evoke.down
Grid Reference: -  SO565154

Click on the Parking icon on the map below, and then the Direction icon icon to get directions to the course.

The Area

Mixed forest typical of the forest of Dean, runnability generally good, but crags and very steep slopes on the west side of the map running down to the river Wye. There is a wealth of point features, and a fairly distinctive path network, as befits an area heavily frequented by tourists and casual walkers.

The Map

The map is A4, 1:10,000 scale with 5m contours. Added to our main Highmeadow map by Nick Nourse about 3 years ago, and updated as needed for various events since then.

Control descriptions will be printed on the map and available loose at assembly.

Start and Finish

Registration, Start and Finish are all close to the parking area. There will be a near-mass punching start at 18:30, so don't be late. The course closes at 19:45.

Courses

Standard WNL 60 minute score course with 29 controls and 600 points available.

If all controls are visited within the time an extra 1 point per 6 seconds will be awarded. Penalty of 1 point for every 6 seconds late. There are 12 controls at yellow standard, which stick to paths and are suitable for newcomers to night orienteering.

We will use SI Timing, in contact and touch free modes. There is a mass start, but all runners must punch the Finish control. Runners with SIAC dibbers must remember to punch the Check control in the pre-start area to wake up their dibbers. The Clear station will not wake up a SIAC dibber.

Timing and Fees

Start: Near Mass start at 18:30. Rather than having a mass timed start, there will be a rolling mass start; you queue at the start, dib the start control, are given a map, and head off, as fast as we can get people through the start procedure.

Courses close: 19:45, meaning that you must report to download before 19:45, or risk disqualification.

Fees Pre-entry Entry on the Day Non-member Supplement
Adults £7 £10 £2
Juniors £3 £4 £1
Family (2 adults + their children) £16 £20 As above for any non-members

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

Touch Free dibber: £2 Adults, £1 Juniors

Pre-entry is strongly preferred. Enter on Fabian4.co.uk by midnight on Wednesday 22nd February. Enter Online

Entry on the day is available only while maps last, but note the premium price to discourage this. EOD payment by cash only.

Refunds

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

Dogs are permitted on the courses, but must be ‘under control’.

Facilities

the Pub of the Night is The New Inn, 1 mile south, at Shortstanding. NEW INN SHORTSTANDING (newinnforestofdean.co.uk) WTW:  ///lash.raved.lived

You are strongly advised to order any food in advance. I have advised the pub, that you will be arriving from around 8pm. There is a table/area booked under “Orienteering”. Please mention this when you book, and note that according to the website food service ceases at 20:30, so make sure you get there in good time. (No, NGOC is not paying for your meal !)

Safety

As with all Western Night League events it is compulsory to carry a backup light and a whistle. It is advisable to carry a mobile phone too.

The area is bordered by dangerous cliffs to the west, and expands into a large tract of woodland the further south and south west you wander. It’ll be a long night if you get lost. Safety bearing: As a priority, head east, to the main raod or a major forest track, then north.

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

A risk assessment has been completed, and a copy will be held at Enquiries and Download in case competitors wish to consult it before their run.

A first aid kit and trained first aiders will be available at Download.

Living with COVID

Although all legal restrictions have ceased, you should NOT attend if you are Covid positive, or suspect you are, and everyone attending should continue taking sensible precautions, such as avoiding close contact, particularly around the Start, Finish, and Assembly.