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INSIDE: Volunteer, Club and Page 6 Mapping Awards British Page 8 celebrates 50 years! Special Golden Jubilee Page 9 20 page feature

Cover photos sourced from British Orienteering archive

MORE PEOPLE, MORE PLACES, MORE PODIUMS www.britishorienteering.org.uk Welcome to

Welcome We are celebrating our Golden Jubilee in 2017, 50 years as a Federation. The actual date is 17 to this special edition of Focus June 2017. To mark the occasion we have already shared a celebration cake at the Annual General Meeting – you can read more about this on page from Judith Holt, 8. We are also producing a short film which will be released on the website on the actual anniversary Chair of British Orienteering date together with a history timeline. To mark this key milestone this edition of Focus includes a Welcome to this special to orienteer and to take on a special 50 years 20-page ‘pull-out’ feature starting edition of Focus celebrating 50 bigger part in our organisation on page 9. years of British Orienteering. and governance but we are We have tried to touch on the early years and Discussing the preparations one of the sports where report on how the sport of orienteering has for the celebrations I have had our Board of Directors has truly developed over the 50 years. It must be an opportunity to learn much achieved 30% women on our understood that it is quite impossible in just a more about how the sport board for the past four years. few pages to portray adequately all facets of the developed during the early Federation’s life over 50 years! The orienteers who Judith years of British Orienteering. I In the 50th anniversary feature on these pages are representative of all the Holt am proud of the achievements year it is right that dedicated people from every part of the UK who have contributed so much to British Orienteering of the organisation over we look back over Federation’s growth and development. the years and proud to be a our successes and honour around at various events I was member. This edition of Focus those who have made key delighted to get responses Let’s celebrate and share this magnificent covers a variety of aspects of contributions. However I am from elite orienteers, Junior milestone as we reflect together on The Past, enjoy our sport over the 50 years. sure those key contributors Squad members and young The Present and look forward to The Future. To add one of my own, it is would agree that it is equally people who orienteer with their gratifying to see how the important to use this families. Read more about this This is the last edition of Focus and Ozone magazine being produced for members and juniors involvement of women has anniversary moment to look on page 16. alike. In the next few months we are looking to built over the 50 years. From ahead to the next 50 years. introduce electronic communications. We hope the low level (about 10%) When I was asked to write Enjoy reading about 50 years of that this will allow us to communicate with you typical of many sports in 1967, about my expectations for British Orienteering and enjoy more frequently. More details to follow. participation of women built British Orienteering in the your orienteering this summer As always, if you have any up to 25% within 10 years. future I wanted to make sure wherever it takes you. contributions and/or good Now women make up closer that I was taking account news stories which you to 40% of those who orienteer. of the views of people who Best wishes, would like to share with other We may have more work to might still be orienteering in members please email: jtaylor@ Judith Holt britishorienteering.org.uk do to encourage women both another 50 years. Having asked Chair of British Orienteering With best wishes, Jennie Taylor New Active Clubs Marketing Manager Coordinator British Orienteering would I am particularly interested like to welcome Juls Hanvey in the empowerment of to British Orienteering and individuals and social change Contents wishes her all the best in through sport. JULS HANVEY her new role as Active Clubs Welcome to Focus 3 Coordinator in Northern I live in Belfast, Northern Conor Fadian whose work has Chief Executive Update 4 Ireland. Ireland. I love being outside seen a year on year increase in Volunteer, Club and Mapping Awards 6 – on the beach and in the participation and membership Juls Hanvey Active Clubs mountains. I am very lucky to in Northern Ireland. Juls will 2017 AGM and start of the 50th 8 Coordinator, says: “After have lots of both nearby. I am be continuing this work with celebrations studying Health and Leisure really enjoying getting to know coaches and volunteers across Education at Stranmillis the Orienteering community in the country using her prior British Orienteering celebrates 50 years 9 University College, I started the country and exploring a lot experience of community Special Golden Jubilee 20 page feature working in Outdoor Education more through the sport. ” projects to develop community in 2009; this led to working orienteering opportunities, Scottish 6-Days 2017 29 in the youth and community Craig Anthony Head of especially focussed on some of JK2017 – 50th JK event 30 sector. I spent the last 5 Development, says: “After an the key targets we have in our years in working in extensive recruitment process funding agreement. On behalf National Rankings and UK O League events 33 various community settings; British Orienteering welcomes of all our members I would like Fiddler’s Ferry – Energy in Orienteering 34 designing and delivering needs Juls as our new Active Clubs to wish Juls every success in her British Orienteering Contacts 35 led personal development Coordinator in Northern new role.” programmes in communities Ireland. Juls takes over from with a focus on young women.

More People, More Places, More Podiums 3 mental challenges and stress that such an event can bring and for Chief Executive’s these people there is often a real personal cost involved in terms of By Mike Hamilton, health and general well-being. British Update Chief Executive Orienteering has a responsibility and a duty of care for such people – even though at times some of these volunteers seem not to understand the stress they are putting themselves through. The weather is looking fantastic and hopefully the Jan Kjellstrom (JK) has been enjoyed by many of our I’ve not mentioned financial and legal risk; the financial risks are readers. The cake celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the significant as we depend on the formation of British Orienteering seemed to go down income generated from our major well with those of you attending the AGM. events to fund part of the British Orienteering operation and in the worst-case scenario there is When it’s sunny at a JK, spring is in the air with members probably over £100,000 tied up in risk for a JK. Legal risk is also and visitors looking happy and the general atmosphere significant with directors having around our major event being light-hearted and fun. At some legal responsibilities, for such times orienteering is an easy sport to promote! example health and safety, anti- bribery and safeguarding. Many of Congratulations to the team that delivered the event these laws provide that directors and it was good to see the event coordinator, Helen will be personally liable if they are responsible for the company’s Errington, looking relaxed, particularly since I’m aware of failure to comply with the law. As some of the challenges she’s faced behind the scenes in British Orienteering ‘owns’ the major delivering the event. events are we sure, for instance, that these events meet health & safety requirements? has direct control of the event; British Over the last 10 years we’ve as is required by our auditors ‘tinkered’ around the edges of Orienteering and funding partners. Without major events, experimenting with this arrangement, the event ATHLETES IN Major Events different ways of doing things, for would have had to have been ACTION AT instance the role of the Major Events After a recent eNews I’ve had a cancelled. JK 2017 couple of people ask me what Manager. This was a brave decision problems have led to ‘near-misses’ taken by the Board, to try to support PHOTO BY ROB LINES As members, you may compete with our major events in recent and manage our major events to at the major events that British years. It’s always challenging for me meet some of the problems and Orienteering is directly responsible to respond to such queries as I’m challenges. However, with some resources and capacity this is feasible you read this we will have • Administrator – Scott Parker for, the JK and BOCs. Hopefully electronic version of Focus once a very appreciative of the tremendous volunteers reluctant to work with and will enable us to address many an agreement or contract in • Administrator – Liz Goodwin Focus if you compete in one or more year, probably in the form of a ‘year volunteer time and effort that goes a staff member and with 3 major of our challenges including thinning place. In the meantime, we are (3 days a week) of them you come away having It is unfortunate and sad but this book’ containing stories, reports into delivering our major events and events a year, there are too many down our overcrowded fixture list. moving forward with British enjoyed a great event as most of will be the last printed publication and facts, accompanied by a series the last thing I want to do is enter events to allow one person to But, who knows, there may be other Orienteering carrying the risk of This is supplemented by funded the significant aspects of the event of Focus. When the Board sat down of electronic communications that a situation of ‘blaming’ people for oversee each of them successfully, as solutions out there that are better? any expenditure we make. positions of: will have gone well on the day. last year and considered the budget can be more current and targeted problems. Without going back too a consequence this experiment has Having put the matter of major Any problems behind the scenes • England Development for 2017 it became obvious that at specific groups – event officials far in time it’s easy to identify the effectively failed. events on the table, I now look In Northern Ireland we have will, hopefully, have been invisible Officers – Natalie Weir and the total cost of Focus across the for example. ‘near-misses’ of 2016/17: forward to a healthy debate! confirmation of funding for a Tim Herod year was almost £27,000, working to you! This is as it should be but Speaking personally, I think we single ‘Sporting Clubs’ position. • Communications Officer – out at around £1.46 per copy Once the plan is more fully please don’t assume everything is have now reached the point where • BOC 2016 - Access Jennie Taylor including design, printing, postage developed it will be published on great and there are no problems the balance of risk is too great to Funding and became a problem late in the Sadly, we have therefore lost • Orienteering Services Officer & packing but excluding editorial the website. and risks. continue delivering the JK and BOCs day and with only a week to staffing several members of staff, Allan (England) – Dan Riley (1 day time. Costs are increasing all the in the way we do and there is a need go it was still unclear that a As I sit and write this update the Bogle in Northern Ireland, a week) time and the simple equation for The loss of Focus is a blow as it is If an event were to be cancelled at to find a longer-term solution that is contract to enable the event to staff at British Orienteering are just Jackie Newton our Talent & • Northern Ireland Active Clubs the Board was to continue with used with members to help you short notice many of you would viable. There are probably many ways take place could be agreed. coming out of a long period of job Performance Manager, Sally Coordinator – Juls Hanvey printed copy or a member of staff. keep informed and up to date; have paid entry fees, organised to make changes that will improve • JK 2017 - With only two weeks insecurity. British Orienteering made Pygott our Major Events it is also used with a variety of travel and accommodation and be the situation but for me there is one to go, one day of the event was our funding submission to Sport Manager, Rachel Atherton a There remain two positions of The Board’s response was to partners to promote orienteering unhappy at the cancellation. Our approach that is starting to edge on the point of being cancelled. England in October 2016 after 4 Participation Officer. England Development Officers decide that under the new and demonstrate the various things job is to reduce the risk of that out in front; that is to bring the JK months of detailed discussions with to recruit but this will not be financial position it was not viable we and you do. Focus has not, • BOC Middle 2017 - Although happening to the events we have and BOCs (sprint, middle, long and Sport England. We were informed of We now have a British done until we have confirmation to continue to produce Focus however, been a good medium for individual members had responsibility for. relay) together into a single multiday our funding outcome for talent in Orienteering staff of: of funding from Sport England in in its current form. Discussion matters that are time sensitive as started to organise the event event at Easter. That would mean late December – it was bad news as • Chief Executive – Mike the form of a contract or written took place about how British the turnaround time to produce no association or club could be Similarly, event officials invest we can focus on one major event you will be aware reducing our talent Hamilton agreement. Orienteering should communicate Focus was approaching 3 months at found to host the event – it has significant time and thought into a year and provide support to the funding by more than two-thirds. • Business Support & Accounts with members and it was agreed times, often meaning that articles only been delivered because the delivery of our major events team delivering it. It would enable Our development funding was not Manager – Jannette Blunden The roles that each of the above that a more targeted approach were out of date when they arrived we have an excellent volunteer for which we are all grateful. Some us to answer many of the challenges agreed until February 2017 and, • Head of Development – Craig have can be found summarised to communicating should be with members. Despite this most of coordinating the event and we event officials thrive on the task we face and mean we could move to date, we have received a ‘letter Anthony on the website. developed. This plan is still being us will regret the loss of the 3 or 4 have put in place a process to and love the ‘buzz’ of delivering towards a delivery model like the of intent’ but no firm contract or • Orienteering Services Officer developed but will include an copies of Focus we received a year. ensure that British Orienteering such an event. Other volunteers Scottish 6 Days event. With our struggle with the physical and agreement. Hopefully by the time – Dan Riley (2 days a week) If you have any feedback or questions please email: [email protected]

4 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 5 BRITISH ORIENTEERING MAPPING AWARDS 2016

The mapping awards for used in VOLUNTEER 2016 are decided on submissions provided by clubs and mappers. The judges for CELEBRATING 50 YEARS the 2016 awards were: Terry Smith – 1967 TO 2017 AWARDS Advisory Group; Steve Barrett – Winner of The 2015 SILVA Trophy; Colin Hicks – Highly Club of the Year Award | University Club of the Year Award | Young Volunteer of the Year Award Commended for The Walsh Trophy in Silva Award | Coach of the Year Award 2014 and Tony Thornley – Winner of The 2016 Chichester Trophy. The scoring is based on specification, cartography and WWW.BRITISHORIENTEERING.ORG.UK/AWARDS presentation. THE CHICHESTER TROPHY BRITISH ORIENTEERING This award is presented for the best map 2016 VOLUNTEER AND CLUB produced by an amateur mapper. AWARD WINNERS The winning map for 2016 is: “Sugar PHOTOS BY ROB LINES Loaf” by Ben Mitchell of Swansea Bay Orienteering Club

Thank you to all of those who submitted THE SILVA TROPHY nominations for the awards. It is great The Peter Palmer Coach of the Year - Liz Yeadon of Sarum Orienteering Club to see so much activity going on to Awarded for the best map produced by develop the sport and we thank all professional mappers those volunteers and clubs who make The winner for The 2016 SILVA Trophy is orienteering happen across the country. “Penicuick Ladywood” by Dave Peel, Peel Land Surveys The winners were decided by the Development Steering Group and THE WALSH TROPHY the awards were presented at British Awarded for the best urban or sprint map Orienteering’s 2017 Annual General to ISSOM standards Meeting on Friday 14 April in The Lecture Centre at Brunel University The winner of The 2016 Walsh Trophy is London, Uxbridge. We are delighted to “Pencuick Ladywood” by Dave Peel, announce the winners of the volunteer Peel Land Surveys and club awards for 2016 as listed. THE BONINGTON TROPHY YOUNG VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD Awarded annually for the best For dedication and commitment to contribution to mapping. volunteering in orienteering The winner of The Bonington Trophy for 2016 is Chris Johnson of Bristol Awarded to Dom Dakin of South Yorkshire Dom Dakin of South Yorkshire Orienteers receiving the Young Volunteer of the Year award Orienteers Orienteering Klub Winner of The Walsh Trophy and The SILVA Trophy – Dave Peel, Peel Land Surveys UNIVERSITY CLUB OF THE YEAR For outstanding contribution to the provision and development of orienteering Awarded to Cambridge University Orienteering Club

PETER PALMER COACH OF THE YEAR For commitment to coaching orienteering Awarded to Liz Yeadon of Sarum Orienteering Club

CLUB OF THE YEAR For outstanding contribution to the provision and development of orienteering Awarded to Solway Orienteering Club The Chris Bonington Trophy winner, Chris Johnson of Bristol The Club of the Year - Solway Orienteering Club SILVA AWARD Orienteering Klub For demonstrating long standing commitment to the promotion and Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners. All those who submitted organisation of all aspects pf the sport Awarded to Anthony McGonigle of North maps should be very proud of their achievements. Congratulations to all entries West Orienteering Club Winner of the University Club of the Year - Cambridge University Orienteering Club which were of a particularly high standard again this year.

6 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 7 AGM THE BRITISH ORIENTEERING FEDERATION CELEBRATING THE PAST JUDITH HOLT, CHAIR OF BRITISH ORIENTEERING WELCOMED EVERYONE TO THE CELEBRATING 50 YEARS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AS PART OF HER INTRODUCTORY WELCOME INCLUDED THE PRESENT OF BRITISH ORIENTEERING BRITISH ORIENTEERING’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY. 17 JUNE 1967 – 17 JUNE 2017 50 YEARS THE FUTURE

Judith’s speech was based on the following: Credit: Rob Lines FOCUS EDITOR JENNIE TAYLOR AND FORMER BRITISH ORIENTEERING FEDERATION CHAIRMAN CLIVE ALLEN HAVE “We are celebrating our Golden Jubilee, 50 DELVED DEEPLY INTO THE ARCHIVES AND FILES TO PUT TOGETHER THE PAGES THAT FOLLOW. years as a Federation. The actual date is 17th June. To mark the occasion we are producing Clive Allen says: “It’s quite impossible in just a few pages to portray adequately all facets of the Federation’s life a short film, and there will be a special feature over 50 years! The orienteers who feature on these pages are representative of all the dedicated people from covering several pages in the next issue of every part of the UK who have contributed so much to British Orienteering Federation’s growth and development.” Focus. We felt that today was a suitable time to begin the celebration, and we have splashed out on an anniversary cake which is for us all THE BIRTH OF BRITISH ORIENTEERING FEDERATION to share. The British Orienteering Federation was formed was held the following day, in Hamsterley and Martin Hyman 9th. Carol McNeill won on 17 June 1967 at a meeting in Barnard Castle, Forest, on an O.S. 1:25,000 photocopied map. the Senior Women’s by more than 11 So much has happened in the development Co. Durham after much preparation by the From the Final Details: “Many earth type forest minutes! ‘S Bone’ (later Sue Harvey) was 7th. of the Federation from its beginnings in 1967 English and Scottish Orienteering Associations; roads exist which are not shown on the map, Southern Navigators won the Senior Men’s through to the present day. It hasn’t always the English Orienteering Association was whilst a few stone walls shown on the map are Team Trophy. been a smooth ride, nor is it so today, but disbanded when British Orienteering Federation no longer in existence or have become earth came into being. A British Orienteering mounds. Other tracks which are shown on the The event was well reported in The Guardian there is a lot to look back on with a deal of Federation Executive Committee worked quickly map have fallen into disuse and are difficult to and The Daily Mail. It was re-enacted on the satisfaction, including some fantastic medal to establish common practice in all areas of the define.” 25th Anniversary in 1992, over 2 days, the first successes at world level. We stand proudly as UK where Orienteering had started. Chris James, day with the old map and courses and the a strong nation in the orienteering world: we a member of Southern Navigators at that time Part of the Senior Men’s course is shown on second as a modern event. have done our share and more in organising and now in North Gloucestershire Orienteering page 27. The course planner was Lol Clarke, outstanding World and European competitions Club and still active, was British Orienteering South Ribble Orienteering Club and controller On 27 October 1967 Chris Bonington, now including 4 World Championships, 3 in Federation’s first Fixtures Secretary. (called ‘vetter’ at that time) was John Haworth, British Orienteering’s President, wrote an article Foot Orienteering and 1 in TrailO. We have Pendle Forest Orienteers. The 10.2 km course published in the Sunday Telegraph Magazine contributed our share and more to the work of The first British Orienteering Championships was won by Gordon Pirie in 1:51:50, with Chris which brought Orienteering into the wider with what came to be known as ‘classic’ courses James 3rd, Chris Brasher 5th, John Disley 8th public eye for the first time. the IOF, including providing two Presidents in Sue Harvey and Brian Porteous. TWO PIONEERS Over the 50 years, thousands of orienteers CUTTING OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CAKE all over the UK, in each of the English regions, in Northern Ireland, in Scotland and in Wales, sport in this land the highly developed and taught a lot of orienteers how to Scottish have contributed countless volunteer hours sophisticated sport that it now is. In doing dance! I would like to ask Chris James, North to organising, planning and controlling events, this, I would like to ask one person in the Gloucestershire Orienteering Club to stand up BRASHER & DISLEY to our clubs and Associations and room who was in right at the beginning 50 as a representative of all these volunteers over F. Ashford Credit: T. Astbury not least to the many different facets of years ago, and is still today Chairman of one all these years, and undertake one new task running the National Governing Body, British of our Committees, having it seems done – that of cutting our anniversary cake. Thank Orienteering. It is an appropriate time, on almost everything including holding the office you Chris!” our Golden Jubilee, to recognise and thank of British Orienteering Federation Chairman, The Annual General Meeting then continued. them all for their contributions in making our many years ago, on the way. He has even

BRITISH ORIENTEERING 2017 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING FRIDAY 14 APRIL 2017 AT BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON

Judith Holt, Chair of British Orienteering elected director, will be standing down after re-election. There being no other Left to right: Chris James with Jeremy Denny, quite well-known in southern orienteering circles and John Disley. Chris was the first British Orienteering welcomed everyone to the Annual General completing his third year of his third term. nominations for directors, Judith was Federation Fixtures Secretary and later became Chairman. Chris has been active Meeting. Judith Holt is standing for re-election. John re-elected as an elected director of British in British Orienteering Federation throughout its 50 years. Chris Brasher (left) competing in the 1975 Northern Championships. Flook, Senior Independent Director has Orienteering for her third and final term. Re-election of Sir Chris Bonington as resigned due to personal circumstances. The Chris Brasher, an Olympic Gold-medallist in was immense in all aspects of orienteering’s Several of the pioneers of Orienteering in President of British Orienteering had been Chair acknowledged Martin’s commitment The Chair reminded everyone that there is 3000m who after retirement from development in its early days in the UK. southern England were ex-athletes. In addition proposed by the board. to the Board over the past nine years now a vacancy on the Board for an elected athletics embraced Orienteering and became to Brasher and Disley, Gordon Pirie, Martin Hugh Brasher, son of Chris Brasher, says: “My including his time as Chair. The Chair also director and that the Board has the power the first Chairman of British Orienteering Hyman, Roger Bannister and Bruce Tulloh were Federation, could be said to be the most father loved orienteering; he called it like car all involved. Martin Hyman went on to manage The re-election of the President was acknowledged John’s help and support to co-opt someone if they wish. The Chair proactive of the pioneers. He and John Disley, without a car, the best sport so far the British Elite Squad for many years and was a unanimous, supported by a show of hands. during his time with the board and stated that when the Board has taken a also an Olympic medal-winner, were close invented by man and the only sport that keeps highly respected coach and motivator. mentioned that a gift will be handed to decision about this, members will be colleagues. Whereas Brasher managed things, you completely and utterly stretched both ELECTED DIRECTORS both to show our appreciation. informed. Disley was the technical and ‘field’ expert, and mentally and physically.” ‘Up North’ one of the most influential moderator of some of Brasher’s wilder ideas. pioneers was Gerry Charnley, South Ribble The Chair stated that the board has six The Chair identified that she had reached A full copy of the minutes from the 2017 “Brasher lit fires; Disley dampened them down,” Disley worked hard to develop course planning, Orienteering Club. He was hugely influential in elected directors and three appointed the end of her second term of office on the Annual General Meeting are available on the as the obituary for Disley in The Guardian put it. mapping and training standards. Highly the development of Orienteering until tragically independent directors. Martin Ward, an respected the world over, he was a member board and had put herself forward for British Orienteering website. killed in a mountaineering accident in the Lake Brasher led the team that took part in the of the International Orienteering Federation District in 1982. A crag on the upper slopes of Council from 1973 to 1984. BRITISH ORIENTEERING WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL OF THE MEMBERS WHO STAYED ON AND ATTENDED THE World Orienteering Championships 1966 Esk Pike is named in his honour. and was the Event Director for the World MEETING AFTER AN EXCITING DAY OF SPRINT . THANKS ALSO TO ALL STAFF WHO ORGANISED THE MEETING ARRANGEMENTS, Orienteering Championships 1976. His influence Both Brasher and Disley were later elected Vice SUPPLIED THE TEA AND COFFEE, CREATED THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY DISPLAY BOARD – AND TO ALL THOSE WHO HELPED START GET THE 50TH Presidents of British Orienteering Federation. ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS UNDERWAY BY SHARING AND ENJOYING A PIECE OF THE CELEBRATION CAKE! PHOTOGRAPHS SOURCED FROM BRITISH ORIENTEERING’S ARCHIVE AT SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY.

8 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 9 BRITISH ORIENTEERING FEDERATION’S Prior to British Orienteering Federation, orienteering was administered PROFESSIONAL Initially the Federation had an office in Edinburgh. by the English and Scottish Orienteering Associations. In 1966 the From 1974 onwards it has always been based in the Matlock International Orienteering Federation insisted that a British Federation COACHES OFFICES area of Derbyshire. be formed to enable a British team to compete in World Orienteering Championships. Government agencies required that British Orienteering Federation comprise four national associations plus English regional 1986 1967 associations using boundaries standard with other sports. Peter Palmer appointed Office at 3 Glenfinlas

TIMELINES Credit: J. Taylor, permission Director of Coaching. Street, Edinburgh of Lea Green Centre APRIL 1974 British Orienteering Federation formed. Council and Within a few years, a revised 1992 Committees. Regional representation. Original logo: logo was introduced: Derek Allison appointed Office within Lea Green 1967 Director of Coaching, Centre, Derbyshire, succeeding Peter Palmer, Secretary Pat Blount after being awarded the Change to British Orienteering Annual General Meeting passed a accolade of ‘UK Coach of Federation Ltd. – a Company restructuring proposal (‘subsidiarity’) the Year’ in 1989. In 2002 SEPT 1976 limited by guarantee. Management but it was never implemented. his job was retitled as 1981 Committee formed. 1994 Separate building World Class Programme as own office at Lea Manager. Green (pictured), Office FIRST SEPARATE BRITISH ORIENTEERING OFFICE AT LEA GREEN Extraordinary General Meeting British Manager Katy Shipstone (PHOTO TAKEN AS IT IS TODAY!) agreed new management structure Orienteering 2000 2007 – Board and Directors. Working name logo updated changed to British Orienteering. and rolled out. Göran Andersson was a JULY 1980 highly successful Squad Office moved to 41 Dale coach employed by British Rd. Matlock Orienteering in the 2000’s. First Directors appointed. First independent Directors appointed. 2008 2013 1988 (or thereabouts) office moved to Riversdale, Darley Dale. Since then PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS (CONT.) it has moved to another office nearby and then PROFESSIONAL IN ALL EIGHT PEOPLE HAVE HELD THE TOP POSITION IN THE JAN 1980 in 2015 to the present location in Tansley, near PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT OF THE FEDERATION: Roy Mason, with Hilda Gregson Matlock. OFFICERS as Assistant. NATIONAL OFFICE TODAY IN TANSLEY Colls and others gave me a pretty Credit: British Orienteering archive MAY 1972 free rein to go out there and find 1985 First Professional Officer, Tony Walker whatever opportunities would benefit the growth of our sport. Roy Mason retitled as General

Credit: T. Astbury Secretary. One especially important PRESIDENTS responsibility was the drawing 1990 together of the forward plan British Orienteering Federation has had just four Presidents in the 50 years: for the Federation and liaison Roy Mason retitled as Director with the Sports Council in that of Development. Roy left British respect. I was also appointed to Orienteering Federation in 1991. 1971 - 1972 1976 - 1979 1979 - 1983 1985 - PRESENT my first International Orienteering SIR FRANCIS SIR ROGER THE EARL OF SIR CHRIS Federation Commission at 1991 that time – the Commission CHICHESTER BANNISTER MORAY BONINGTON responsible for marketing and Hilda Gregson became Company

development of the sport Secretary until end of 1995. She Credit: F. Ashford world–wide. I saw it as especially worked for British Orienteering Federation for 17 years. important to build external BRIAN PORTEOUS (CENTRE) - TONY WALKER (LEFT) - networks for the sport in business, LEFT: GRAHAM RELF AND RIGHT: GRANT CARSTAIRS. COMPETING IN THE 1976 JK RELAY. the media and in the wider sports JAN - DEC 1996 network in the country to enhance the International Orienteering Federation to see the profile of orienteering. British competitors on podiums around the world Neil Cameron was General NOV 1976 – we really are a leading orienteering nation in Secretary. I guess the greatest achievement, of which I was terms of international competition now. While the Focus caught up with Brian Porteous, but part, was the doubling of the membership technical quality of our competitions has improved NOV 1996 Professional Officer at British of the Federation in the year after the World greatly, not least through the professionalising Orienteering from November 1976 to Orienteering Championships in 1976. This was the of map making, I think we have lost some of the Don Locke appointed Secretary result of vastly increased media coverage and a ‘evangelical zeal’ we had back in the 60s and General. the end of October 1979. simple but effective system of handling enquiries 70s. Perhaps it is just that we have matured as and referring them directly to clubs. All before Brian says: “I was the second Professional Officer a sport and taken on the characteristics of other 2002 the advent of email! I also was pretty successful taking over from Tony Walker in November 1976 established sports but I sense now that at every in raising sponsorship income on the back of the Robin Field appointed as and based at the Lea Green Centre near Matlock level, we are more internally than externally increased media profile of the sport. I should Chief Executive and Company in Derbyshire. The job was a fascinating mix focused. In the early years of the Federation the mention too the creation of the Scottish 6-Days Secretary. of development officer, national coach, CEO, founders of the sport had to be externally focused Event which, though not explicitly part of my marketing and media manager, technical officer because the absolute priority was to share our British Orienteering Federation responsibilities, was and I even washed the office windows and once wonderful sport with others and I think that 2006 - PRESENT something into which I made a significant input in was a baby sitter for the Chairman’s children! In should still be a priority today in the UK and 1976 and 1977. beyond. Chief Executive short I had an exciting blank canvas on which to Officer Mike contribute to the building of the sport following Technically, in terms of international performance, Hamilton. the 1976 World Orienteering Championships Like the Federation, my orienteering we have reached levels I could only have dreamed in eastern Scotland. The British Orienteering involvement is 50 years old this year – 1974, BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS, BLACKDOWN. of wearing my national coach’s hat back in 1979. ROGER BANNISTER (RIGHT) (‘ICON’ BUT ALSO BECAME AN ORIENTEER HIMSELF) WITH BOB CLIMIE (CENTRE), VERY INFLUENTIAL SCOT Federation Council with luminaries like Chris Happy Birthday British Orienteering!” It has been a particular joy in my various roles in WHO BECAME BRITISH ORIENTEERING FEDERATION CHAIRMAN, AND ROGER SMITH (LEFT), EDITOR OF ‘THE ORIENTEER’ IN THE 70’S. Brasher, John Disley, Bob Climie, Chris James, John

10 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 11 World Orienteering Championships Profiles World Orienteering Championships Important note from The Editor:

I have concentrated far more on Credit: R. Samohyl the earlier history in the elite Carol McNeill Carol McNeill, Steve Hale & pages, partly because this will be one of the leading less well known to many of the Carol was in almost at the start of international Jamie Stevenson orienteering in the UK, and was soon runners

readership. I’m conscious that Credit: British Orienteering Photo Library Roll of Honour very many deserving athletes successful, becoming selected for the from GB in her Steve and Jamie were both top day, very VERY MANY ORIENTEERS HAVE PERFORMED WITH GREAT DISTINCTION FOR GREAT BRITAIN OVER and coaches don’t get a mention, 1968 World Championships team. Ever names in the British men’s elite, involved with THE 50 YEARS. THESE TWO PAGES CELEBRATE THE WORLD ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIP MEDAL simply through lack of space. since then she has been constantly at both superb athletes who were development and WINNERS AND HIGHLIGHT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF A FEW OF THEM. the top in her age class, one of her big dedicated to British team success. successes coming when she won W50 in coaching over the Steve won one World Orienteering the 1994 Veteran World Cup in Scotland. years, and still

Credit: Source: Issie Inglis Championship medal – the Relay A relatively slow runner, more than offset active. Seen here The first ever World in USA in 1993 with Jon Musgrave, by brilliant terrain navigational skill. in the 1972 World Championship Championships, Martin Bagness and Stephen Palmer medals won by British – plus 9 British titles between 1986 She has written highly-regarded books on . and 1993, most notably winning the orienteers were in and has been very active as JK four years in succession (1990- Orienteering! a coach, especially with children, and as a on four occasions but when I got to the 93) and the Long distance in three map-maker. Trish Murphy, Issie Inglis finish Carol was standing nearby chatting to successive years (1988-90). JAMIE STEVENSON and Fran Murray won She holds the women’s record for other finishers. She smiled at me in friendly Relay Bronze in the 1975 recognition, without a hint of triumphalism. Jamie won two World Orienteering Championship golds, the

Credit: Source: Issie Inglis the number of Open class British Sprint in 2003 () and as anchor in the Relay win Championships in . Championship and JK victories – six British Since the early days of British Orienteering of 2008 in the with Graham Gristwood and (1967/69/72/74/75/76) and two JK Carol has made an outstanding contribution Jon Duncan. Also two bronze – the 2003 Relay plus the 2006 (1970/78). to evolving successful O techniques and Middle distance race in . His British medal tally is 8 “An early memory of Carol was at a time personal preparation. Furthermore she has including 3 JK titles. when we were both working in Wiltshire made an unrivalled contribution in organising SKIO MEDALLISTS 1975 Steve and his family live in . Jamie married Helene LEFT TO RIGHT: TRISH and had gone to a local event,” tells Martin courses, coaching and inspiring youngsters. Hausner, a Danish international orienteer, and now works as a MURPHY, FRAN MURRAY Hyman. “I recall passing her at high speed This continues to this day.” AND ISSIE INGLIS teacher and lives near Copenhagen. GBR SkiO Team 1975 Orienteering archive Credit: British

Geoff Peck 1976 BRITISH FOOT ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS Geoff was by far the most successful GB male GREAT BRITAIN COMES IN THE ‘SECOND TIER’ OF NATIONS IN Dave Gittus, Gold in Credit:Braggins Anne orienteer in the 1970’s. He first represented GBR THE ORIENTEERING WORLD, WINNING OCCASIONAL BUT NOT Paralympic Class, 2006 in 1968 and went on to run in eight consecutive REGULAR MEDALS AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL. WORLD ORIENTEERING Finland World Championships. He was very consistent, CHAMPIONSHIP MEDALS HAVE BEEN WON IN 11 RACES IN 8 GBR team Gold, 2004 finishing in the top third in the classic race on Credit: T. Astbury STEVE HALE DIFFERENT YEARS, THE FIRST IN 1993. Sweden (Dave Gittus, Karen all but one occasion. He holds the record for the Darke, Sue Boyt) most British Championship and JK wins: 5 in BOC Gold 1 GBR team Gold, 2005 Japan (1971/73/76/77/79) and 3 in JK (1970/77/81), 1 Yvette Baker, Short Distance, (John Crosby, Karen Darke, and was a member of the EUOC team that won 1999 Scotland Dick Keighley) the JK Relay in 1969. Martin Hyman – 2 Jamie Stevenson, Sprint, 2003 John Crosby, Bronze in Geoff himself tells the story … “Geoff was an inspirational leader,” says Switzerland Paralympic Class, 2005 Japan “I started my journey as an orienteer in Martin Hyman. “A young Squadron Leader long-standing Squad Coach 3 Men’s Relay, 2008 Czech Dave Gittus, Bronze in 1966 at the age of 16 years by accident in the RAF, he inspired a new generation of Like many of the pioneers in British Orienteering, Martin Republic (Graham Gristwood, Jamie Paralympic Class, 2008 Czech when I was a high school student in ambitious young orienteers to adopt a fresh had a background as a top athlete. His best distance Stevenson, Jon Duncan) Republic Dunfermline. In those days school kids had approach to training and competition. As a test pilot he needed an exceptional capacity was 10,000 metres and he was in the British team at the John Crosby, Bronze in to run in pairs and a friend of mine lost his 3 for very rapid, high quality, decision-making.” 1960 Olympics in Rome. Very dedicated and analytical in Paralympic Class, 2014 DAVE GITTUS WITH HIS GOLD MEDAL regular partner and drafted me in to make

Credit: 1999 Northsport his approach, he has continued as an athletics coach in

up the pair. We won the event … this was Orienteering archive Credit: British the first time I’d done well at any sport, Edinburgh into his 80’s. Credit:D. Allison so I was hooked. My big break was getting “The British Orienteering MOUNTAIN BIKE selected to attend the Norwegian Junior Federation Elite Squad Squad training camp (“Vangen”) in 1968 was the brainchild of Chris ORIENTEERING with Rob Harvey. Brasher (who referred to the concept as ‘The The formation of the GB Squad was really Troika’),” he tells. “At the start of ‘elite’ orienteering, and helped EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY ORIENTEERING the beginning of 1975 many talented individuals fulfil their he invited me to be a

Credit: Swiss-image.ch CLUB JK 1969 RELAY TEAM, AT THE CLUB’S Silver 2 potential. This would never have happened 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN 2015. ‘Figurehead Chairman without the vision and dedication of Martin FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: GEOFF PECK, ROBIN Men’s Relay, 1993 USA of impeccable honesty’. Hyman. As a former international athlete SLOAN, JOHN BARROW. (Jon Musgrave, Martin Bagness, I accepted, but soon he fully understood what it takes to reach discovered that there was Stephen Palmer, Steve Hale) Only one interloper the top and he encouraged me to continue no Secretary, Treasurer or (Frank Keating, The Guardian) Yvette Baker, Classic, 1995 competing, and then become involved in Lead Coach. I therefore Emily Benham coaching too. “The only British finisher in the first 20 became all of these.” In Yvette Baker, Short, 1995 Germany has won 2 was our most experienced operator, Geoff February 1976 he also After some years coaching the GB Squad, Peck, a carrot-topped RAF pilot from Scott Fraser, Sprint, 2013 Finland Gold medals became Chairman of (both in 2016 and too old to beat the youngsters any Interlopers club. He was 20th. In the 1972 Selectors and hence a in Portugal), 4 more, I moved to Hong Kong to fly jumbo World Orienteering Championships in member of the British Bronze jets. I did some orienteering there and made Czechoslovakia he was 11th. Steady and Silver medals Orienteering Federation MARTIN’S RETIREMENT PARTY. maps for the APOC Championships until sound, he was well paced and placed for Yvette Baker, Classic, 1993 USA (2012/3/4/6) International Committee. LEFT TO RIGHT: YVETTE HAGUE, and 2 Bronze hanging up my flying boots in 2004 and half the race, but then, ducking through the MARTIN HYMAN, STEVEN HALE Men’s Relay, 2003 Switzerland moving to Brisbane. Since then I’ve made undergrowth, a twig caught his eye and he Martin continued as

(2014/5) at CREDIT: LOSF (Daniel Marston, Jamie Stevenson, Squad leader until new the World well over 100 maps, mostly of lovely “bush” completed the course map reading like a Jon Duncan) funding in 2003 enabled professional management of elite Mountain Bike areas and, despite a hip replacement, still Nelson under pressure.” orienteer training and support to be introduced. Heather Monro, Sprint, 2005 Japan Orienteering compete.” (Extract from newspaper report of World Jamie Stevenson, Middle, 2006 JAMIE STEVENSON WITH HIS GOLD Championships. Orienteering Championship 1976) Denmark MEDAL, SWITZERLAND 2003 CONTINUED

12 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 13 CONTINUED FROM THE PAST | THE PRESENT | THE FUTURE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: TALENT COACHING & FUTURE PROSPECTS

PREVIOUS PAGE MiskolcCredit: WUOC2016 W. Gardner (ShUOC/OD) Source: Credit: WUOC2016 Miskolc / HEATHER THOMPSON Talent Coach “I was initially lucky to become by the Monday! A week later I was my own orienteering from both the I have progressed my own coaching World Orienteering involved with the Talent Squad. I was delighted to be included in the list outdoor practical and indoor theory to become a Level 2 coach. I can now Championships Profiles already qualified as a Level 1 coach of coaches who had been selected sessions. I also travelled with the Talent transfer this knowledge back to my and my own Club’s Lead Coach sent to be part of the programme. Since Squad to the Junior World Orienteering coaching of juniors at club level with a me an email about the Talent Coach then I have been involved in assisting Championships in 2016 which gained much greater understanding of the level Heather Monro Development Programme on a Friday in the delivery of coaching to the me further insight into the athletes’ of commitment and training required evening. With an added comment Talent Squad at multiple camps and experience of competition at that by anyone aspiring for selection to Heather was a brilliant athlete, a great team that interested parties needed to reply have learned a great deal to improve level. During this last couple of years higher level squads in the future.” person who achieved her great ambition of a World

Orienteering Championship medal in the twilight of PhotographyCredit ActivNorth her career in the unlikely setting of Japan in 2005, LAST YEAR’S WORLD UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIPS IN , WITH GOLDS IN THE SPRINT RELAY (CHARLOTTE Credit Rob Lines when she won the bronze medal in the Sprint. That WARD, PETER HODKINSON, KRIS JONES, MEGAN CARTER-DAVIES) AND MEN’S SPRINT (KRIS JONES), ARE A VERY CHARLOTTE WARD ALICE LEAKE year she also won bronze at The . Her best ENCOURAGING POINTER TO FUTURE SUCCESS FROM THE UP-AND-COMING GENERATION OF TOP ATHLETES. year overall was in 2000, when she was 3rd overall in Humberside and Lincoln Orienteers Southern Navigators the World Cup and World Ranked number 2. She won Credit: Rob Lines “Since being a member my progression as these “I’ve learnt a lot since joining the two World Cup races and was 2nd in another two. KRISTIAN JONES of the squad from June high pressure races push British senior squad two years Forth Valley Orienteers / Swansea Bay 2015, I think that I have you to your limits and ago; mostly about self-belief, Orienteering Club She was British no. 1 for six seasons at the beginning of made big developments help you to stretch them working hard and enjoying what the century, taking over this mantle from Yvette Hague. “I envisage my technically. One thing in my orienteering further. we do as a team. My goals “If I had to single out one coach who has had the development as a I have appreciated is and I owe this to the are to keep on improving greatest influence over my career, it would be Göran step by step over a the ability to be a part supportive coaching and My ultimate goal is to win my World Orienteering Andersson,” she says. Derek Allison was also a huge number of years. Some of a variety of different competitive team-mates an individual sprint medal Championship influence on her performance, right from junior days. steps have been big club and British teams within the squad! Being at the World Orienteering performances and and others very small and I have generally part of the development Championships and to enjoying all the Credit: © 1999 Northsport but each one builds learnt things from these and performance squads win the Gold medal in experiences that elite on the one before different situations. has allowed me to learn the mixed sprint relay. sport brings. I fully it. Sometimes I have My goals are mainly to from other athletes We have an amazing believe we have needed to be spurred keep improving and if and has provided me group of athletes and a team capable on and other times I I can do that I know I with opportunities to huge potential within of winning a have needed to take the can win medals, both KRISTIAN compete at the highest the squad to produce mixed sprint JONES IN THE initiative myself. I think individually and as a level – something I see consistently medal relay medal in SPRINT FINAL it is as much a case of part of our relay teams. as being very important winning performances, the future and I AT THE WORLD learning how to manage To do that I need to for athlete development. and I am really excited to would love to be ORIENTEERING ALICE LEAKE (SN) AT WOC CHAMPIONSHIPS myself as it is a case of continue to push myself Racing in World Cup races be part of this.” CHARLOTTE WARD (HALO) AT part of making that improving physically or and learn new things.” WOC 2015 IN THE SPRINT FINAL. 2015 IN THE WOMEN’S IN 2015. has been really key to happen.” SPRINT FINAL.

PHOTOS BY KIND PERMISSION OF THE YVETTE BAKER (NÉE HAGUE) BEING URGED ON ELKINGTON FAMILY INTO THE FINISH AT THE SHORT DISTANCE RACE AT THREE GENERATIONS OF ORIENTEERS CAWDOR, SCOTLAND AT THE WORLD ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS 1999 BY HEATHER MONRO. IT’S AS TRUE IN ORIENTEERING AS IN MANY SPORTS: ONCE THE BUG HAS BITTEN, IT GETS TRANSMITTED FURTHER FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION. MANY CLUBS IN THE UK DAUGHTER Sutton Park. Previously she has been and controlling a number of British HAVE FAMILIES WITH TWO OR EVEN THREE ACTIVE GENERATIONS AS THE BACKBONE MELANIE Coordinator of the West Midlands Schools Score Championships, Peter OF THE CLUB; THE FEDERATION TOO HAS BENEFITED MUCH FROM THE ACTIVITIES OF married Barry Junior Squad. Palmer Relays, an Yvette Baker Trophy Yvette Baker SUCCESSIVE GENERATIONS IN THE SAME FAMILY. ONE CAN BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT Elkington (M60), Barry is current Chairman of Final and the Junior Inter Regional and have children Relays. Yvette Baker is equal with Jamie Stevenson in SOME OF THE SAME NAMES KNOWN TO US ALL NOW WILL CROP UP AGAIN AMONGST Octavian Droobers and a member BRITISH ORIENTEERING FEDERATION TEAMS, AND MANAGEMENT GROUPS OF ONE KIND Helen (W21), of British Orienteering’s Events Matthew has been Sheffield having 4 World Championship medals, Yvette’s all in Matthew (M21) individual competition and Jamie’s being 2 individual, OR ANOTHER, IN THE FUTURE! and Competitions Committee; University Orienteering Club Captain, and Stephen previously he was Chairman of the and represented GB at the Junior 2 relay. Take the Simpson family in Octavian Droobers, for example. Here we have: MELANIE AT (M20) BSOC 2016 British Orienteering Federation Rules World Championships in 2015; Trevor Simpson (M75) and Hilary Simpson (W75), with their children Melanie (W55), Andrew “Yvette was a remarkable person”, writes Martin Group. He organised the British he was British Middle Distance (M50) and Lesley (W50) Hyman. “A brilliant athlete with the beautiful running Melanie is Secretary of the British Relays back in 1993 and was course Champion in M20 that year. style of a world-class middle distance runner. She Schools Orienteering Association planner for the Harvester Trophy in BARRY AT and was Organiser of the 2016 Stephen has served for one year as was brilliantly coached by her father John Hague. She 1995. Since then he has put most Octavian Droobers Secretary. SPORT CUP was able to establish herself as the leading British British Schools Championships in efforts into Junior events, planning FINAL orienteer, whilst living in the Home Counties. As a competitor Yvette was able to deploy the optimum techniques with an icy calm. She would never give in to extreme fatigue but could push herself to the SON ANDREW married DAUGHTER LESLEY all, have been in limits of human endurance. Alexa Troedson (W50), married Kevin Ross Mini-Relay and and have a daughter Lyra (M55), and have Junior winning To Yvette the demands of technical and physical (W10) children Ben (M21), Octavian training, whilst also earning a living, were no cause for They now live in Sydney Guy (M21) and Tom Droobers teams sacrifice of enjoyment. Though she competed with and are members of Big (M20) at the British deadly seriousness, Yvette was always up for having Foot Orienteers, where and JK, and fun. Her spirit inspired those around her to share her Andrew is President. They Lesley is currently have already passion for the sport and she freely gave help and visit Europe every few Treasurer of had many advice to those around her.” years to take part in one Orienteering England, other successes TREVOR AND HILARY and Kevin is Octavian in their Yvette writes: “I’m still living in Wellington and of the big summer events. ALEXA, Andrew has represented ANDREW Droobers Treasurer. orienteering orienteering, but much more low key: just running AND LYRA Guy has been Captain careers. All local and the main national races, a bit TREVOR started orienteering HILARY administers the West Trevor has been Octavian Australia in the Australia - IN in 1981, with Hilary and Midlands Colour Coded Badge Droobers Club Captain and New Zealand Challenge. 2016 of the University of remain active GUY, LESLEY, TREVOR, MATTHEW & HILARY of coaching and a bit of course planning. I’ve entered Warwick Orienteering orienteers. the World Masters for the first time ever, as it’s in the children joining in the Scheme for Juniors. Both Octavian Droobers Treasurer. following year. Orienteering Hilary and Lesley have run in Club. large enough to hold contingent, plus two New Zealand, so trying to manage worn out body As Barry, twelve people, or or three dogs requires parts and train a bit. I’m more of a hockey / cricket / became the reason for many Interland matches and Home All the Elkington and family holidays and weekends Internationals. says: “Finding fifteen when joined serious planning football / gymnastics / xc running / Ross children, i.e. 6 in accommodation by the Australian ahead.” parent to my three kids (aged 9-12) these days!” away.

14 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 15 University Orienteering Club) and THE PAST Peter Hodkinson (Nottinghamshire CELEBRATING THE PRESENT Orienteering Club) “More televised coverage; Go Pro footage at more events; more 50 YEARS THE FUTURE technical clothing.” Octavian Droobers Juniors

“Personal jet-packs will have finally arrived, solving our car parking problems at a stroke - just leaving us to deal with the consequent fire LOOKING FORWARD TO risk.” North West Juniors

However, it was also pointed out that... “Although there will be big changes in technology, the social aspects REPORT BY JUDITH of the sport will go on being very HOLT, CHAIR OF BRITISH important.” Sam, Derwent Valley THE FUTURE... ORIENTEERING Orienteers, M16.

Possibly the same thinking was FOCUS CAUGHT UP WITH JUDITH HOLT, CHAIR OF BRITISH ORIENTEERING AND ASKED... behind the North West Junior Squad comment that... “The few remaining members in M10 will be “WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR SPORT competing as fiercely as ever.” OF ORIENTEERING AND BRITISH ORIENTEERING IN FUTURE YEARS? Some comments reflected the challenges we face; being...

“Dependent on committed “The future of the Great Britain right, not merely “good enough” programmes. The future of JUDITH WRITES.... volunteers who will get most things team is the knowledge, passion to find the control as I often student orienteering? Student right and a few wrong, for which and enthusiasm of all the do when running.” Tom Dobra clubs playing a greater role in they will be publicly castigated.” I asked people athletes, helpers and coaches (Bristol University Orienteering organising events and publicising who might still be within the sport. If we can Club) our sport, while continuing to “Having to travel too far is what combine all of that we can win nurture talented and upcoming orienteering in Great puts me off.” medals at the World Orienteering My respondents share the aim athletes competing at the highest Britain 50 years from Championships.” Kristian Jones of the strategic plan to increase level.” James Nicholson (Leeds “I can’t see myself orienteering in (Forth Valley Orienteers) participation in orienteering: University Union Orienteering now for their views a few years’ time, but maybe I will “I would like it to be a bigger Club). on the future. A come back later.” Just as positive were these sport. If you say orienteering to someone, not everyone has heard wide range of young messages from Sasha Chepelin: RALPH I have not been able to include of it. You have to explain. We orienteers responded. “So successful and abundant in STREET IN every quote I was offered, but need more young people.” Alice ACTION There is also an interest in making better meet the varying needs of everyone at every event. Our podiums that Great Britain will thank you to all of you who (Derwent Valley Orienteers, W14) the sport more widely accessible. I competitors. Comments most Strategic Plan recognises this, and How far do their join Scandinavia on a map.” contributed. I have just two points was sent a link: http://transition2. relevant here include... the need to consider professional to add. In implementing our plan comments align co.uk/casestudy/orienteering/ to teams rather than volunteers to “Hopefully the sport will be more we must work on linking together with the objectives ...and Megan Carter-Davies a video showing how two young “... I think there will be more take on at least some aspects global in 50 years’ time, with all the elements to build clear (Mid Wales Orienteers): “I believe learning disabled people have diversity in the sport. Perhaps even of event organisation. It should and actions of our more runners from and more pathways that encourage people the future for the Great Britain enjoyed navigating Permanent a bigger split between forest and surprise no one that technology competitions in Asia and Africa.” from their first experiences of strategic plan? team is going to be filled with Orienteering Courses as part urban orienteering. I also think that was the thing most mentioned. It Tessa Strain (Edinburgh University orienteering through to regular success, with plenty of medals of their learning programme at the structure of the events could has transformed the first 50 years Orienteering Club) involvement. We must also build and incredible team spirit, and college. Another idea, iOrienteering, change as well, with more ‘name’ of British Orienteering so why not better communication flows, Our elite orienteers inspiring the next generation to Credit: Rob Lines brings together Permanent events not fitting in to an A/B/C/D the next 50 years? “With technological advances sharing ideas and information, up be their best!” Orienteering Courses and level structure. For example Sprint inspire us all and in filming and GPS, races could and down, between clubs and our technology using smartphones. Scotland and similar, possibly “I think technology will play more become more spectator friendly central organisation. We owe a sustained Podium Fiona Bunn (Thames Valley organised by professional teams of a part in the future - I guess and accessible.” Peter Hodkinson lot to those who have supported Orienteering Club) pointed “Courses can be set up for a few rather than volunteers although I everything will be touch-free and success at the (Nottinghamshire Orienteering British Orienteering over the past out that our top orienteers pence, competitors get immediate am sure there will always be a need electronic, and possibly even paper- Club) 50 years. I hope in 50 years’ time World Orienteering promote the sport not only results display on their devices and for some volunteers of course.” free as well.” Graham Gristwood someone who is reading this now Championships is through success in orienteering online, which allows for a really Graham Gristwood (Forth Valley (Forth Valley Orienteers) will be able to say... “Yes, the 50th events: “I am excited by the The role of partnership with TESSA satisfying experience at a tiny Orienteers) one of the three STRAIN IN anniversary was the springboard recent successes of British education providers is identified: fraction of the price of pre-existing “We might also be done with paper “It’s an exciting time for student ACTION maps and we would each have our for many of the developments we focus programmes orienteers in cross-country, fell systems.” Stephen Middleton There are many ways in which we and as well as in orienteering, with growing own flexible thin screen that would see today”. of the strategic plan. awareness of the sport and have been successful as a ‘Sport auto-download the map. It might the traditional forest and sprint for All’, but the more diverse our The Orienteering racing. This will really inspire increasing opportunities for The third focus programme in also double up as a timing chip and interested students to join in. our participation continuum is orienteers the more likely it is you could self-select your scale and Development younger athletes that British that we can’t meet the needs of athletes can be strong and fast High-profile races on campuses Competition, with the aim to colours...” Tessa Strain (Edinburgh Pathway supports enough to challenge anyone, have raised the profile of this. However success as well as raise the profile of orienteering, such as the Leeds orienteering amongst the wider JK Sprint in 2016. The club scene depends crucially on running community.” is growing and more enthusiastic “Courses can be set up for a few pence, competitors get

the enthusiasm and than ever - with increasing Credit: Rob Lines participation at BUCS and good immediate results display on their devices and online, which commitment from the From a TrailO Champion: turnouts to ‘Give it a Go’ athletes themselves. “I would like to see many more events including plenty of allows for a really satisfying experience at a tiny fraction of the orienteers improving their map ‘first generation orienteers’. interpretation through TrailO, There’s also increased support price of pre-existing systems.” where you have to get it exactly from university-funded sport Stephen Middleton

16 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 17 BRITISH ORIENTEERING CELEBRATES 50 YEARS! CELEBRATING 50 YEARS Credit: Ben Mitchell OF BRITISH ORIENTEERING THE PRESENT & THE FUTURE Issue 37 - Summer 2017 MARK PURKIS FOCUS CAUGHT UP WITH MIKE HAMILTON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE AT BRITISH ORIENTEERING. FOR JUNIOR ORIENTEERS THIS IS A HUGE MILESTONE FOR THE ORGANISATION TO ACHIEVE AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE SPORT OVER THESE YEARS. WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE

DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPORT AS UP AND COMING STAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE DURING THE MEGAN CARTER-DAVIES, LAST 10 YEARS? MID WALES ORIENTEERS

“There have been many! Within the sport there has been a marked growth in ‘urban’ events, and with sprint races being delivered from “Our challenge for the local to international level, the sport has become available to a whole new group of people living in cities and other urban areas – not future is to increase our just people wanting to take part in rural terrain. Technology around COMPETITORS NAVIGATE THEIR WAY IN THE SPRINT RACE AT THE 50TH JK | PHOTOS BY ROB LINES the sport has changed greatly with capacity and provide SI and Emit now being used at

almost all events. The use of maps MEGAN CARTER-DAVIES has progressed from ‘hand-drawn masterpieces’ with large print runs people with what they to maps being updated for each event and laser printers being able to run off copies almost as they are want – rather than what needed.

All the above have made the sport more attractive and the advent we think they need.” of social media has helped some clubs to promote their events and Mike Hamilton activities to a wider audience. and enjoyable that they want to HOW WILL THIS BE Looking towards the next 4 years, The change from a large Council to return for more! PROMOTED IN THE WIDER we are going to work far more a Board of Directors has streamlined WORLD IN THE NEXT PHASE closely with some clubs, and hope the governance of the sport, It’s both interesting and frustrating OF DEVELOPMENT NOW to help these clubs grow their aligning British Orienteering with that wherever we’ve given THAT GRANT FUNDING IS orienteering footprint in a way that the good practices expected of people the opportunity to go KNOWN? is sustainable; this will be exciting all governing bodies of sport and orienteering they’ve wanted more and work that we should be doing. enabling decisions to be taken at – our challenge for the future is to the speed necessary in the modern increase our capacity and provide “Really challenging, as our funding We need to operate more world.” people with what they want – overall has been cut by just over effectively and use our resources rather than what we think they 55% across the UK. That means wisely at all levels of the sport. If WHAT IS THE ‘VISION’ AND need. we will be challenged to maintain we can do this I personally think ORIENTEERING’S ‘PROFILE’ the level of service we provide orienteering has a great future

IN THE WORLD OF SPORT? Across sport in the UK, orienteering and probably won’t be able to ahead. We’ll be able to focus WILLIAM RIGG is a respected sport and recreational continue to deliver some of our on the sport and delivering our “Our vision is to make orienteering activity – people recognise that the initiatives. For example, in England own strategic plan and targets the ‘go to outdoor sport’ for sport is exciting and that we are we had developed Xplorer, a ‘new rather than being caught up with people wanting to test themselves good at what we do, punching well participant’ initiative, from nothing government initiatives and targets. physically and mentally. We want above our weight in a variety of at the beginning of 2014 to around It is going to be very challenging people to go orienteering whether ways. We are however still seen as a 80,000 participant runs in 2016. but, I think, perhaps healthier for the that’s 2 or 3 times a year or once or niche sport and sometimes a little Maintaining this impetus will be long term future of the sport.” more a month – if they’ll give it a ‘geeky’!” almost impossible unfortunately. go, we want it to be so interesting www.britishorienteering.org.uk/page/ozone

18 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 THE YVETTE BAKER TROPHY Peter Palmer Junior Report by Sarah Mansel, Yvette Baker Trophy Coodinator / Photos by Rob Lines Team Relays 2017 Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield 9 – 10 September 2017 The Yvette Baker Trophy is the premier junior inter-club competition for English and Welsh orienteering clubs. It is named after Britain’s first World Champion, Yvette Baker, Great Britain. Yvette Baker, who won Gold in the short distance in Scotland in 1999. Short Course Gold Medalist Report by Ian Gamlen, City of Birmingham Orienteering Club / Photos by Rob Lines (Juniors competing in 2016) World Orienteering Championships 1999 SARAH MANSEL SAID: I think that it is good that The Yvette Baker All English and Welsh orienteering clubs are Trophy is an ‘inclusive’ competition with a lot of encouraged to enter a team as juniors up to flexibility in the age class to course matching.

Credit: David Aspin M/W18 of all abilities are able to compete for This means that teenagers only just taking their club. A minimum of 9 competitors across up the sport can compete at their own level. the four courses – yellow, orange, light green There are usually about 30 clubs of all sizes and green is needed for a complete team. competing in the heats each year, but it would Heats are usually held in each region between be good to see a few more in the future. March and June with the final being held the Credit: Northsport © 1999 first weekend in July.

To encourage this British Orienteering is trialling a second tier for clubs with fewer juniors in 2017, with just 5 runners to count it opens up the competition to even more clubs.

This popular and fun event is taking place in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, and is hosted by the City of Birmingham Orienteering Club with help from neighbouring clubs Octavian Droobers and Harlequins Orienteering Club. City of Birmingham Orienteering Club For more information about created the event back in 1993, and it was last staged at how to take part, visit: Sutton Park in 2012. https://www.britishorienteering. City of Birmingham Orienteering Club invites entries from clubs org.uk/national_competitions around the UK to compete for the three trophies. Last year 22 junior Bristol Orienteering Klub team - 2016 trophy winners! teams took part and West Cumberland Orienteering Club. Wanderers won The Peter Palmer Trophy, South Yorkshire Orienteers on Fire won The Joan George Trophy and The Norwich Orienteering Club Anniversary Trophy was won by Suffolk orienteering Club Juniors. Who will be the winners this year? We look forward to welcoming mixed club teams of six to eight M/ W12-18 runners and their helpers to this unique and much enjoyed competition. The format is a 6 lap relay and competition rules are on CELEBRATING https://www.britishorienteering.org.uk. As always, the race will start at around 5.00am, before sunrise, so early competitors will be running in the dark wearing head torches all adds to the excitement. Accommodation will 50 YEARS be provided at the Wyndley Leisure Centre adjacent to Sutton Park. Refreshments will be provided by O Nosh. There will be the traditional OF BRITISH 5 a side football competition organised on the Saturday evening. Event Organiser is Dave Ellis, Planner Andy Hemsted and Controller ORIENTEERING! Barry Elkington – the same team who successfully staged the event CALLING ALL in 2012, the last time we held it at Sutton Park. In this edition of Ozone there are 50 British Orienteering birthday candles hidden in the For further information, go to www.coboc.org.uk JUNIORS…. Registration for this unique event will be via Fabian4. cartoon on page 4. Can you find all 50 of them? Closing date is 3 September 2017. Follow in the footsteps of

Yvette Baker Gold medallist Find out how well you have done We look forward to welcoming you to World Champion! answers can be found at Sutton Park in September. www.britishorienteering.org.uk/page/ozone

02 Ozone Issue 37 Ozone Issue 37 03 THE PAST CELEBRATING THE PRESENT 50 YEARS THE FUTURE WE DID THINGS DIFFERENTLY, BACK IN THOSE DAYS... Credit: J. Taylor PUNCHING First, there was the self-inking stamp, used on a first-generation control card.

Then came the pin punch, used on a next-generation control card. Often a different colour card for each course. Still used in many places though rarely at FIRST SELF-INKING STAMP AND FIRST CONTROL CARD events! Credit: British Orienteering Photo Library SI DIBBER And so on to electronic punching: EMIT and SI. No more control cards!

Now a new era Credit: British Orienteering Photo Library again: touch-free electronic punching is with us! Credit:F Ashford.

Credit: © The Daily Telegraph Magazine

BRITISH ORIENTEERING FEDERATION PRESIDENT NEEDLE CHRIS BONINGTON IN AN EVENT IN 1968, PLUS OLD-STYLE KITE MODERN ORIENTEERING PUNCHING ELECTRONIC PUNCHING AND SELF-INKING PUNCH. CONTROL

RESULTS Credit: British Orienteering Archive There was the ladder of wooden strips with

individual results Credit: Source: John Disley pasted on – every time you wanted to insert a new result, the ladder had to be unhooked at the right place, then hooked back again. Very time-consuming! TERRY HARPER, DEESIDE ORIENTEERING CLUB AT MASTER-MAPS. THIS And being a vertical PHOTO SHOWS MASTER MAPS AND CLOTHING, 1970’S STYLE. display, not many ORIGINAL-STYLE RESULTS DISPLAY WITH GORDON PIRIE, could look at it at ANOTHER PIONEER WHO WAS A HOUSEHOLD-NAME once. ATHLETE (SILVER MEDAL IN 5,000M AT MELBOURNE OLYMPICS), AND JOHN DISLEY. COURSES ON MAPS In the very first championship first printing the maps and New technology came Credit: M. Ricketts events, courses were drawn then the courses; controllers along: the ‘washing line’ on to the maps by hand. This had to check all the register 50 YEARS carrying multiple control procedure was first replaced crosses very carefully! card stubs. These lines by hand-printing. Most clubs led a life of their own in had a standard printing set, For most smaller events, windy weather. Stubs had made up of rubber circles, master maps were used. You to be periodically moved lines and numbers which were given a blank map at along to make room for were placed in the required registration, and immediately more. positions on a map. A sticky after the start (i.e. in race board picked these up and time), ran to the master map Nowadays, it’s course then by lining up all the for your course and copied print-outs pasted on edges, quite accurate prints the course on to your own to boards, or scrolling could be produced as the map. Shelter from rain and screen displays. And board was placed first on an wind was provided in various computer-driven checking ink pad and then down on forms – often rudimentary. of punch downloads each fresh map. You often had to carry your ANSWERS CAN BE FOUND AT and times taken. The big own red pen or pencil. results team working in a For the biggest events, marquee is no more! printing firms were employed, www.britishorienteering.org.uk/page/ozone RICHARD HAW TRYING TO FIND HIS RESULT AT THE JK 1975.

04 Ozone Issue 37 More People, More Places, More Podiums 19 VERY MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PIONEERS AND ACTIVATORS IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF OUR SPORT OVER THE 50 YEARS OF BRITISH ORIENTEERING. HERE ARE FOUR SUCH PEOPLE WHO FOUR TRAIL-BLAZERS HAVE EXERTED RATHER MORE INFLUENCE THAN MOST. CELEBRATING 50 YEARS 2 3 4 OF BRITISH ORIENTEERING CHRIS JAMES PETER PALMER SUE HARVEY Chris is the one person whose involvement in helping run the Federation, mostly in roles carrying considerable responsibility and requiring fresh British Orienteering Sue first came to notice as Sue Bone, a promising athlete. She THE PRESENT initiatives, spans the full 50 years. has been especially was selected for the GBR teams for the 1968 and 1970 World fortunate with its Championships, finishing in the middle of the field in the classic coaches, throughout races and running first leg for the relay team. She was British & THE FUTURE Credit: G. James its existence attracting Champion in 1971. By this time married to Robin Harvey, she people with the right was in the team again in 1972 in Czechoslovakia. By then, skills and personalities to she and Robin were becoming established as accomplished make their mark in a big map-makers, and together they made all the maps for World way. No more so than Orienteering Championships 1976 in Scotland. 1 Peter Palmer, who after many years of voluntary Shortly after, Harvey Maps was Credit: T. Astbury commitment was British formed with a base in Doune, Orienteering Federation’s Perthshire and the firm continues ANNE BRAGGINS Director of Coaching from to produce high quality maps 1986 to 1992. to this day. Not so much for “MOTHER OF TRAILO” orienteering, however; the firm Peter first encountered produces a well-known range of Anne Braggins Credit:F. Ashford orienteering whilst at countryside maps for outdoor began Orienteering Cambridge University in 1958. enthusiasts and has been in autumn 1975, as Later, as a teacher of history contracted for many special a result of a talk by in Surrey, he met John Disley, projects. Credit: Roger Smith Hally Hardie and and here started his wider PETER WITH HIS CHILDREN STEPHEN AND an event a couple involvement in competition MARY. A MEMBER OF WALTON CHASERS, Sue and Robin were also prime SIX FORMER BRITISH ORIENTEERING FEDERATION CHAIRMEN WERE PRESENT AT THE 2012 PETER WROTE MANY BOOKS AND COACHING of weeks later. She WORLD TRAILO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN DUNDEE, ALONG WITH INTERNATIONAL ORIENTEERING and coaching. In 1967 he movers, along with the late John attended the White moved to the new Walton MANUALS AND WAS IN HIS ELEMENT WHEN FEDERATION PRESIDENT BRIAN PORTEOUS, HIMSELF A FORMER BRITISH ORIENTEERING FEDERATION COACHING YOUNGSTERS. Colls, in starting the Scottish Rose Weekend in PROFESSIONAL OFFICER. LEFT TO RIGHT: BRIAN PORTEOUS, DAVID PEREGRINE, CHRIS JAMES, LYN High School, Stafford as WEST, CLIVE ALLEN, NEIL CAMERON AND ANNE BRAGGINS. 6-Days in 1977, and Sue continued 1976 and then Deputy Head, where he stayed in a management role for the SUE BONE Highland ‘77. Her until his retirement from teaching Chairman when it was formed in event until the end of 1988. She first major role was Chris read about Orienteering in The in 1986. Walton pupils were soon 1996. was instrumental in the formation made International Orienteering as Organiser of JK ANNE BRAGGINS CUTTING THE Observer in May 1965, and attended his JUST A FEW OF CHRIS’S ROLES: introduced to orienteering and of the 6-Day Company which Federation Honorary President for 1986 in East Anglia. 25TH ANNIVERSARY CAKE first event at Waggoner’s Wells, Surrey alongside the school group, the Peter was a prolific writer. Titles came into being at the beginning Life. She is an Honorary Member the same month. He was immediately 1970-72, Chairman of British open club Walton Chasers formed include ‘Orienteering for the of 1989. of the International World Games She first encountered TrailO in 1989 at the World hooked by all aspects of the sport and Orienteering Federation in 1969 with Peter as its first Young’ (1976), ‘Pathways to Association, having been its Vice Championships in Sweden. At that time Colin Moynihan within a year he had been selected for Competitions Committee President. Walton Chasers grew Excellence – Orienteering’ (1994), Sue had, meanwhile, become so President for a period from 2006. was suggesting that all sporting Governing Bodies the 1966 World Championships team 1972-75, British Orienteering to become national ‘Sports Club and the British Orienteering much engaged in the affairs of should provide for disabled people in their sport. and had become England’s Fixtures Federation Vice Chairman of the Year’ in 1999, winning a Federation Coaching Manual the International Orienteering Becoming British TrailO Champion She went to the Swedish O Ringen on a fact-finding Secretary. He planned and organised prize of £10,000. (1997). He edited ‘The Complete Federation that she had become its is another of Sue’s achievements, mission in 1990. At the time it was known there as 1975-78, British Orienteering Orienteering Manual’, also his first event at Holmbury Hill in 1967, Federation Chairman Secretary General in 1983, working at the first ever Championships ‘handicapped orienteering’ and very different; then and was Controller for the first JK. Peter and his wife Marlene both published in 1997, and with from home. She held this role until in 1992. She has also taken part after her report back, British Orienteering Federation When representatives of the English 1978-81 and 2002-08, British enjoyed working with youngsters, Carol McNeill and Tom Renfrew 1986. In 1988 she was elected in SkiO and MTBO. Her first love got a grant to get started. The equipment purchased is and Scottish Orienteering Association’s Orienteering Federation and their coaching activities he wrote the first International as an International Orienteering has always been FootO. “Perhaps still used at major events. met together in 1966 and decided to Councillor included pioneering visits with Orienteering Federation Federation Vice President and my proudest moment,” she says, form British Orienteering Federation, 2008-09, a Director of British promising youngsters to Sweden, Guidelines for Junior Orienteering. then from 1994 to 2004 she “was to announce, after the 1983 Anne was Chair of TrailO committees both in British Chris was present. He became British Orienteering where they forged some links was International Orienteering Veteran World Cup, ‘Now I am the Orienteering Federation and IOF from 1993 until 2010, with long-lasting benefit for He had a way with words, able Orienteering Federation’s first Fixtures 2013 – present, Chairman of Federation President. In this period ninth fastest old woman in the and she is still involved with the British Orienteering British orienteering. Their children to express his outlook on life in a Secretary. British Orienteering Events & the number of member nations world!’ I am not sure my husband Federation committee and as an official at events. Mary and Stephen were (and are) clear and straightforward way. An Competitions Committee increased considerably. When entirely appreciated the comment.” At international level she was hugely influential in A lot of competitive successes and keen orienteers and Stephen was example from his autobiography: she relinquished office she was developing TrailO into the sophisticated discipline leadership roles continued, fitted around a member of the British silver it now is, as demonstrated at the World TrailO moves to Scotland in late 1967 (where medal winning team in the World “Orienteering fulfils a basic Chris recalls a nice story from the Championships in Scotland in 2012 which she directed. he helped form the West of Scotland Championships relay in the USA human instinct to explore. It early days: She will be Team Leader again for the GBR team club), then to Fleet and Southern in 1993. can provide country adventure “Following the previous protocol for competing in this year’s World Championships in Navigators (1970) and finally to Ross- for urban children on their own British Championships, the specific in July. on-Wye and North Gloucestershire Peter’s wisdom and his philosophy doorstep. It can offer the free- location of the venue was not Orienteering Club (1987). He has as a coach of youngsters was range experience that I enjoyed released until the day of the event. Anne became British Orienteering Federation Chairman brought his professional management immensely influential on others, as a child. Young people who take In 1969 we had procured the use in 1988, and organised the IOF Congress in Cambridge strategy skills to bear on many issues and he inspired many a coach part in orienteering are likely to of a large campsite field alongside in 1990. She regards JK 1986, the Congress 1990 and in the Federation’s development around the UK. One of these grow up confident, fulfilled and a forest. In the morning the worldwide TrailO development ending with WTOC throughout British Orienteering was Derek Allison, who took over environmentally aware.” competitors were seen driving off to 2012 as the most memorable achievements in her Federation’s 50 years, and continues the Junior Squad in 1990 and Newton Stewart some miles away work. A special moment to remember was presenting to do so. He plans to retire from his succeeded Peter as Director of A fitting tribute to Peter’s life to discover the final venue – only the Gold medal to Dave Gittus in 2006. present post as Chairman of British Coaching. Peter also created new is a memorial woodland. On to be sent back to the very same Orienteering’s Event and Competitions outlets for his ideas, including 12 March 2011, more than an field that they had camped in as the A comment that her late husband Don made in 2010 Committee at its next meeting on 24 the National Award acre of trees was dedicated to forest, Kirroughtree Forest where the at the WTOC banquet when looking round the room: June, 50 years and 1 week after the Scheme and the British Schools his memory at the Staffordshire championships were to be held, was “the majority of people in this room are here because formation of the Federation. Orienteering Association. He Wildlife Trust site at Brankley of your input.” the one right by the field!” was the first British Schools Pastures. ÅKE JACOBSON (LEFT), SUE HARVEY (CENTRE) AND BENGT SALTIN (RIGHT). Orienteering Association THIS IS TAKEN IN 2006 IN DENMARK. Photo credit: Pirjo Valjanen, Director of Communications - Finnish Orienteering Federation

20 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 21 THE PAST | THE PRESENT | THE FUTURE THE PAST | THE PRESENT | THE FUTURE New ways of introducing Establishing the Structure Fresh Bearings Orienteering ASSOCIATIONS club, was formed in 1990 through an initiative of Stop Press, a 3 or 4 page foolscap stencil sheet of Airienteers, and Matlock Orienteers is a relatively results and news, ran to 68 monthly issues up to Initially there was a Northern and a Southern region new subsidiary of Derwent Valley Orienteers. November 1975, all published by Terry Dooris who Credit: Richard Jennings, Cetra Studio WORLD in England, but to fall in line with government was British Orienteering Federation Hon. Records ORIENTEERING DAY – agency boundaries, the present English regional A RATHER SPECIAL CLUB: FORTH Officer for many years. We will continue to A RECORD BREAKING structure was established in the early 70’s. The VALLEY ORIENTEERS work with partners to EVENT! encourage more people West Midlands Orienteering Association was the Forth Valley Orienteers started in In 1982 The Orienteer was combined into first to form, on 21 November 1963. The last two CompassSport, which had been started by Ned to take part in our The focus of this day presents a great opportunity to make 1973. It has always had a great Xplorer programme, orienteering better known to a wider audience, especially local Associations to come into being were Northern deal of success, but its biggest Paul, Hazelle Jackson and Chris Morris in 1980. Ned Ireland in 1971 and East Anglia in 1972. Paul edited for the following 10 years, then Suse whilst looking to entice schools and the local press. claim to fame is in winning them into the sport. the CompassSport Trophy for 8 Coon took over for a period before handing back Early development in Northern Ireland owed much to Ned. Suse became editor again in 1999, but Feedback from our consecutive years up to 2014. Xplorer partners indicates to Noel Bogle, a scout leader and a teacher at Then it grew up, and has now won the link with The Orienteer was dropped in April Limavady Grammar School who helped to found 2000. Since then, British Orienteering has produced that there is interest the CompassSport Cup for the from adults to take North West Orienteering Club. He drew local maps past 3 years! Forth Valley Orienteer’s royal blue its own magazine in various formats. Meanwhile and introduced many of his pupils to orienteering, CompassSport continued as an independent part in semi-permanent and gold colours are regularly seen on prize-giving courses. These would some of whom went on to run for Irish teams. He podiums around the country and further afield. magazine and in 2006 was sold as a going concern started to take school groups to major events, first to Nick Barrable. run for 6 weeks and then the JK in the Lake District in 1976. change to a different location. Noel reckons that more than 1,000 of his pupils BRITISH ORIENTEERING 2014 SPRING Continue with promotional activity to encourage the general tried the sport. He was also very active in managing FEDERATION NEWS AND VIEWS THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF BRITISH ORIENTEERING public to purchase and download pdf copies of permanent the sport in Northern Ireland, and represented the British Orienteering Federation had two publications orienteering course maps direct from the British Orienteering Northern Ireland Orienteering Association on British in the early years: The Orienteer and Stop Press. website. Orienteering Federation Council for a while. The Orienteer started as a quarterly A4 stapled news-sheet, but quickly changed to an A5 magazine He has now been made Hon. Life President of North format. It was edited by John Disley until 1970, Source: THE ROUTE West Orienteering Club. Roger Smith 1970-77, Arthur Vince 1977-80 and Focus photos credit: Rob Lines Roger Wilson 1980-82. It became bi-monthly in INSIDE THIS ISSUE May 1972, and changed to A4 when Arthur Vince BUCs comes to CLUBS Yorkshire became editor. It was reduced in size in 1979 Edinburgh Big Weekend British Night Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club, Edinburgh because of British Orienteering Federation’s then Championships University Orienteering Club, South Ribble financial problems. Orienteering Italian Style Orienteering Club and Southern Navigators were four of the first clubs to be formed, all still going

SO, DID WE SUCCEED? strong. Many clubs, mostly formed in the late Sprint Champion Tessa hill said, “I was very happy and a little surprised to win the JK sprint this year. I had just returned from a tough week of racing 60’s, were short-lived. Many of these had names at the European Championships and wasn’t sure how tired I would be in both my head and my legs. It seemed that they held up ok even if it was really STRONG PARTNERSHIP hard work. I never felt like I got on top of Kris Jones’ course and that kept including an alliteration; here’s a selection. The moorland to the west of the me nervous all the way to the finish It was great to have (nearly) all Arena is called Merthyr Common, line. After running a lot of competitions Day 1- Good Friday saw Arena facilities inside too as the a limestone area rising to 617 abroad in the last few months, it was the largest ever number of University’s Fulton Hall housed metres, characterised by literally really cool to run to the finish being WORKING competitors at any Sprint/Urban BY DAVID MAY (SLOW/WOA) // PHOTOS BY ROB LINES Enquiries, Results, traders, a cheered on by club mates and other race in the UK, with 2183 leaving thousands of negative features A diary 2014 café, toilets, etc, and even the friends.” JK the Start line on the day, some – pits, small depressions and British Orienteering AGM. It was large depressions – as well as 160 more than the previous great to relax on the balcony a scattering of small crags and record at JK 2013 – what a way overlooking the Finish line and boulder fields. The terrain is to start the JK! Fortune smiled take in the scene with a beer in totally open and is generally fast on the organisers as Swansea one hand (so I’m told). University and Singleton Park underfoot with usually only low were bathed in warm sunshine all Day 2 - Easter Saturday heather and some stony ground MEDWAY MAUNDERERS to slow competitors. Route choice day, and a sympathetic approach brought warm and fair weather Continue to work in partnership is generally not a big issue as to those delayed by traffic again – just as well as the whole the best routes are usually fairly problems meant that competitors JK circus was now in a totally straight, the biggest challenge were happy too. different environment, situated being to keep in contact with next to an exposed col some 450 the map and stay on the right The terrain was a mix of campus, metres above sea level with not a bearing. ornamental garden and gently tree or a building for shelter. with other organisations to make KENTON KANTERERS (NEWCASTLE) undulating park and all but one Day 2 also hosted the first of two course visited all three types The original Arena location was IOF World Ranking Events and, and the variety made up for the to be about a kilometre to the whilst all other competitors were lack of consistent intricacy of the west in a large quarry, sheltered enjoying Long Distance courses, urban part. from the worst of the weather, the Elite had a Middle Distance until peregrine falcons decided to orienteering better known by the day instead. Hector Haines had a nest there and we had to move convincing win in M21E, nearly 2 well out of range. This meant that minutes ahead in a time of 29:15 SURREY SEEKERS the Arena had to move to an area for the 6.7 km 130 m course earmarked for a large amount (4.4 mins/km, and without Arena area together with a of car parking and the knock- There were no volunteers compensating for climb too!) We knew that the JK was large amount of parking (hence on effect was that competitors general public, by presenting unique from the small pool of and Claire Ward took the W21E coming to Wales in 2014. We the long walks for some), were parked up to 3 km away, Welsh orienteers so British Gold winning her 5.5 km, 105 m also knew that Wales has only and an ever-increasing entry much further than we’d originally Orienteering then asked one course in 31:23. Tessa Hill about 300 club members and (a good problem) which was anticipated. of the then Event Managers, Secured the many of those had been heavily also putting a big strain on car Helen Errington, to take on this Sprint Title EXETER FOOTSLOGGERS involved in the 2012 Croeso. parking space. role. Helen had co-ordinated JK So would we be able to take navigational activities with an 2008 in the South East so had on a JK just two years later, What tipped the balance from all the necessary experience the first in Wales for some 16 potential disaster to probable and this more than made up said, years? success was the welcome odkinson for her geographical separation Sprint Champion Peter h involvement of some large few years of frustrating from the venue. ahead and executing routes A steering committee had been English clubs, notably Bristol “I was really pleased to mistakes in the JK Sprint. rather than focussing too set up in January 2011 and and Leicester who took on a win my first JK Sprint title Odd though it may sound, orienteering twist. An event such as the JK is much on the running. As DYSART DASHERS (DYSART ARMS, A PUB IN the few individuals involved day’s organisation each, and in Swansea. This winter I would mainly attribute my rarely going to have a smooth a result the race was one were able occasionally to tear also North Gloucester who my training was really technical improvements gestation period and this of my cleanest technically themselves away from Croeso were given the complex Day consistent and I had a great just to getting fitter meaning one was no exception. The for a long while. I struggled work to set up the shape of 4 parking problems to solve. cross country season so I don’t feel I have to “rush” organisers had to contend with initially to stay ahead the event and, at its sixth Without such support, the I knew that I was in good so much in order to keep scare stories about large scale of myself in the garden meeting nearly two years later, 2014 JK simply would not running shape. This gave up! I really enjoyed the moorland fires (did we have section but I refocussed SURREY) the broad programme was have happened and the Welsh me loads of confidence course planned by local a Plan B?), possible Arctic and from the spectator established. Orienteering Association going into the race - in pastry connoisseur Kris conditions for Days 2, 3 and 4 control onwards I felt is indebted to the skills, particular the confidence Jones as it had plenty of (luckily, Easter was late so the Peter mostly in control. Team leaders and organising experience and numbers of that I was probably the chance of snow was reduced), Hodkinson changes of terrain and kept clubs were beginning to helpers these clubs brought. fastest runner in the field you on your toes in quite a nesting peregrine falcons Sprinting to This result was particularly Excerpt of Peters Sprint map emerge at this stage, but who so I could use all my small area.” leading to loss of the Day 2/3 Victory rewarding for me after a was going to co-ordinate? concentration on planning OCCASIONAL ORIENTEERS 13 More People, More Places, More Podiums (MP3) Orienteering Focus - Summer 2014 OK NUTS (NUTFIELDERS OK) 12 BANGOR BACKWOODSMEN Another independent magazine, Handrail, was first Source: Red Bull CHECKPOINT CHARLIES (CARDIFF UNIVERSITY) published in 1996 but never really took off. One MOLE VALLEY MAP & COMPASS FOOT RACING or two ‘fringe’ publications have also appeared, SOCIETY most notoriously and hilariously The Borienteer, the creation in the 1970’s of Simon (Hilary) Beck, now PATONS OC (CLUB BASED ON WOOL FIRM IN most well-known for his immensely intricate snow DARLINGTON) art. DEVIZES DAWDLERS MOJO STRIDERS In the future, another change for British Orienteering: after this issue, Focus will be produced ASHFORD ACCIDENTALS in electronic format only. SHEFFIELD SHIFTERS (BECAME SHUOC) COMPETEERS (BECAME SAXONS) PRESERVING THE RECORD HENBURY RUTTERS (LATER COMBINED WITH BRISTOL FOOTPADS TO FORM BOK) British Orienteering Federation has an extensive ABERIGINALS (ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY) archive in the Special Collections section of the Sheffield University library. Most clubs in the UK ROXBURGH REIVERS (SCOTTISH BORDER) would find many of their early maps and event results in sections of the archive. Almost all of Of these, only Mole Valley and Roxburgh Reivers British Orienteering’s paper records over the 50 still survive. The others have been absorbed into years, and pre-British Orienteering Federation, are other existing clubs serving larger areas. The reverse held there, and some personal collections of special also happens: Claro Orienteers, the Harrogate area interest have been donated too. COMPETITORS TAKING PART IN A NEW ORIENTEERING EVENT - THE RED BULL ROBIN HOOD

22 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 23 THEY’LL NEVER BE OBSOLETE!

MAPSYou can’t go orienteering 1 without a map … The first 3 5 WATERPROOF o-maps were black-and-white “FILM? photocopies of the Ordnance HOW 20TH CENTURY!” PAPER Survey 1:25,000. Then came new- Stirling Surveys’ Pat Blashill Printing maps on waterproof paper started drawn b/w maps, some with a few replying to a query about in 1977 with Tyvek – used at the JK at Leith special symbols – see the extract polyester film, once a staple Hill that year. of Holyrood Park (Arthur’s Seat), item for mapping. Now it’s Problems with the ink rubbing off or mud getting hard to come by. making the map unreadable have been largely Edinburgh drawn in the late 60’s. overcome.

The modern professional mapper uses a The image is an extract from a 1977 map of tablet in the field with the base material Leith Hill pre-loaded and an OCAD file set up, and plots his way around with a mapping GPS. An extra aerial on a cap or hat gives a far better satellite connection; looks very odd though! Often the base map now has too much detail, and some smoothing out of contours and vegetation edges is done. Blocks of vegetation and other fine details are often clearly visible on a modern photo.

4 BACK IN THE 6 THE FIRST MAP OF HIGH DAM OFFICE THIS YEAR’S BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS AREA First it was pen-and-ink drawing and Letraset It was made by Dave Gittus symbols and screens on sheets of polyester and Roger Lott for the first ever Dave writes: in millimetres. He said he film, one per colour, working on a light table. Mammoth Weekend in 1969. They “Roger then drew up the didn’t understand those foreign measurements The next change was to 3-colour maps – Soon after, 1:15,000 became the standard The technique of scribing, cutting lines with map on the Wednesday used just two days (!) to survey and to give it to him to black, brown and blue. Braid Hills, drawn by Bill scale for ‘classic’ distance o-races. The range a special tool through lacquer coated on a whilst at Newcastle the area, sleeping in a van each the nearest half inch! We Gauld in 1971, is a good example. By 1970 it was of international standard symbols that we use transparent polyester base was popular in University, and I drove therefore blanked out the unusual to compete on a b/w O.S. map, and by today was established in 1975. The standard of Scotland. Harvey’s sold everything the keen night after a few pints in The Swan over from Carlisle and it scale and the surveyors’ 1971, four- and five-colour maps were becoming map drawing in the UK improved rapidly. A big map drawer would need – this advert is from Inn at Newby Bridge. They then went to the printers on names. commonplace. The standard competition scale at boost was given by the maps for the 1976 World the 1970’s. checked each other’s work and the Saturday. We asked many events was then 1:20,000 – as at Redesdale Championships (see next pages), drawn by Robin EXCERPT OF the printer to reduce REDESDALE drove back to Carlisle. As far as I know there Forest in the 1971 British Championships. and Sue Harvey, which reached new levels of detail Both methods have been replaced by the drawings between FOREST MAP were 500 competitors and accuracy. increasingly sophisticated computer The base map was six-inches-to- registration points A and B programs, OCAD being the most well-known. and no complaints!” the-mile, early 20th Century O.S.

CRAIG A’ BARNS CRAIG A’ 2 (DUNKELD), BARNS THE STARTING GRAHAM (DUNKELD), RELF’S MAP, HARVEY POINT 1975 MAPS, 1979 The O.S., traditional source of base maps, is less used nowadays. First came photogrammetry, in the early 70’s. Use of this along with clear aerial photos led to some very detailed mapping, the classic example being Graham Relf’s 1975 map of Craig a’ Barns (Dunkeld). Compare this with the map made 4 years later by Harveys, much clearer as a result of more generalisation and better use of colour.

Now we have Lidar, extremely accurate in its interpretation of ground form. Lidar plots are sadly still not available for many parts of the UK. The combination of Lidar plots, hill shading and orthophotos (air photos mathematically corrected to remove distortion) provides the means to make a EXTRACT FROM THE MAP OF HIGH DAM USED IN highly accurate o-map. MAP-MAKING TOOLS, 1970’S STYLE; SCRIBING TOOL EXTRACT FROM THE FIRST MAP OF HIGH DAM, 1969. THE RECENT BRITISH LONG CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017. IN THE CENTRE SURVEYED AND DRAWN BY MARTIN BAGNESS.

24 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 25 THE PAST BRITISH ORIENTEERING FEDERATION’S CELEBRATING THE PRESENT 50 YEARS THE FUTURE Credit Dave Rollins

BIG OCCASIONS Orienteering archive Credit British British Orienteering Federation has staged three World Championships THE FINISH AT WOC 1976, DARNAWAY THE FINISH AT WOC 2015, DARNAWAY 1976: DARNAWAY 1999: INVERNESS 2015: INVERNESS World Cup races have been held in For older orienteers, The World TrailO Great Britain on three occasions – in 1988, Scotland staged the 1994 Veteran in 1998 in the southern Lake District where World Cup, predecessor of the Championships one of the women’s races was won by Yvette World Masters Championships, were held in Scotland in 2012, with the Event Baker, and in 2005 in the Surrey Hills where at Aviemore, and British Centre in Dundee and the main competitions there were four races – Relay, Long, Sprint and Orienteering has applied to in Tentsmuir Forest. A forerunner of World Middle. The Sprint Final was held in Battersea hold the 2020 World Masters TrailO Championships, the ‘World Cup in Trail Park on the May Day Bank Holiday. Championships in South Wales. Orienteering’, was based on Inverness in 1999.

British Orienteering Championships The first individual British Orienteering Championships, starting with the British Orienteering Championships 1967, were ‘classic’ distance races, equating to ‘Long’ today. OTHER NOTABLE DATES ARE: first British Relay Championships, 1972 Newcastleton (first JK Relay was in 1969) first British Night Championships, Ash 1978 Ranges first British Middle Distance FRONT COVER OF THE WORLD ORIENTEERING FRONT COVER OF THE WORLD ORIENTEERING FRONT COVER OF THE WORLD ORIENTEERING 1998 Championships, Tarn Hows, Lake District CHAMPIONSHIPS 1976 BULLETIN CHAMPIONSHIPS 1999 BULLETIN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015 BULLETIN first British Sprint Championships, The Earl of Moray opened his estate for the This time with Long and Middle (including Sprint and Sprint Relay added to the programme, 2002 Williamson Park, Lancaster competitions, with the finish in front of Darnaway qualification races) plus Relay. The Long race was at both in urban areas – Nairn and Forres. The Middle Castle. There was a Classic race, for which a special iconic Glen Affric and was graced by a flying visit and Relay races were again held at Darnaway, with What next? The British Sprint Relay bridge was built by the Royal Engineers over from Prince Andrew, Duke of York. The Middle (then the same site as 1976 for the arena. The Long race Championships – maybe ... It is becoming the River Findhorn, and a Relay. The event was known as Short) Final at Cawdor was the scene of was again held at Glen Affric, and won ‘Course of increasingly difficult to find enough clubs or sponsored by the Scottish brewers Wm. Younger. A a famous victory for Yvette Baker (see page 14). the Year’ accolade in a world poll. Entries came Associations willing to put on all the annual TV documentary of the classic race was narrated from 51 countries and record numbers attended championships, and some consolidation of by Chris Brasher, and shown on BBC2 at prime the Scottish 6 Days (see below). BBC Alba covered the crowded and varied fixture list of UK-wide family viewing time the following Christmas. Good the events. events is now necessary. There is talk of the publicity and follow-up led to a big growth in Sprint and Middle Championships being part of participation the following year. the JK in future years.

The British TrailO Championships were first held in EXCERPT OF DARNAWAY MAPS, 1976 AND 2015 1992 in Haigh Country Park, Wigan. There have been EXCERPT FROM THE FIRST BRITISH no British Championships so far in MTBO or SkiO. ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS 1967 MAP

1976 2015

The Scottish 6-Days Culbin Forest, Darnaway and held every Easter since 1968 started when a further use Anagach. There has been a and named after a Swedish for the World Orienteering Scottish 6-Days every other orienteer who did some Multi-day Championships1976 maps was year since then, with a record pioneering work in Britain and being sought; at that time there attendance of more than 6,000 was tragically killed in a road were no spectator races linked for the 2015 edition, held accident. to a World Championships. with the World Orienteering events Championships. In ‘even’ years when there is The summer of 1977 saw no Scottish 6-Days, multi-day Scottish 6-Days races in Alvie, The other ‘regular’ is of course events are staged in Wales or Cawdor Wood, Queen’s Forest, the JK (Jan Kjellström Trophy), the Lake District. Survey by: R and S Harvey 1974-76 | Copyright: British Orienteering Federation 1976 Copyright SOA 2015

26 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 27 Scottish 6-Days

BRITISH ORIENTEERING’S SPONSORS REPORT BY PAT GRAHAM, ON BEHALF SCOTTISH 6-DAYS ORIENTEERING OF MAR ORIENTEERING CLUB/ ROYAL DEESIDE 2017 SATURDAY 30 JULY - SATURDAY 5 AUGUST 2017 SCOTTISH 6 DAYS

Putting Ballater on the Map!

Preparations are now well under way for the Scottish Orienteering 6-Days Festival which promises to attract over 3,000 entries to Royal Deeside from 30 July to 5 TSB SPONSORING THE BOC THE WILLIAM YOUNGER SPONSOR SILVA SPONSOR August. Much International interest has been generated as the previous, highly successful Moray 2015 incorporated the World Orienteering Championships and competitors GUINNESS was a generous JAMES SAUNDERS COMING INTO THE FINISH sponsor of orienteering in will be keen to return to Scotland for this year’s event. the early days, the first of an Almost 2,000 entries have been received so far including illustrious list of sponsors. those from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong as well as throughout Europe and Scandinavia.

THESE INCLUDE: Royal Deeside has much to offer to visitors who enjoy the outdoors – hillwalking, cycling, golf and fishing to BATCHELORS whisky tasting and the well-known Castle Trail. Local Mar CUP A SOUP Orienteering Club will be hosting the event in conjunction NOVOTEL with Edinburgh’s Interlopers Club and Scottish Orienteering and the Event Centre will be the Victoria and Albert Halls in PAPER SACKS the centre of Ballater - ‘the Gem of the Cairngorms’. The INFORMATION BUREAU Event Campsite has good quality washing and toilet facilities and also electric hook up and is situated just a 5 minute walk Credit:F Ashford

training club members Credit Pat Graham PETER DOMINIC WINES away from the centre and a good-sized supermarket. RANK XEROX and Scottish Junior Kicking off on 30 July with Day 1 being held in beautiful Glen Orienteering Squad in ROBINSONS Tanar, each day sees orienteering action throughout Deeside BARLEY WATERS showing off some of the best countryside and stunning Muir of Dinnet, Royal TRUSTEE SAVINGS scenery the area has to offer. Day 3 at Birsemore will be a Deeside BANK (TSB) World Ranking Event and while there is Robinson’s provided hospitality at British Orienteering If only sponsorship was available in this way these days! plenty to attract the top elite athletes WEST BROMWICH Federation’s major events in a converted double-decker with steep climbs, challenging terrain and BUILDING SOCIETY bus: the event organisers had some headaches in getting it Several smaller firms more directly connected with technical areas, there are many other into the event arenas. Some of the sponsorships were very Orienteering have also provided valuable sponsorship over courses on offer suitable for all the family WILLIAM YOUNGER’S generous, for instance the £41,000 from TSB in 1991. the years. and all levels of experience including BREWERY string courses available for small children to try each day. A Trail-O event is being held on one of the days at close by Cambus O May Forest which will be suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. British Orienteering On the mid-week “day off” a Sprint race has been organised by Graham Federation and the Gristwood and Sprint Scotland which will comprise a fast and furious race round the streets of Ballater – a sight not to be International Orienteering missed! This event is part of the 2017 Location of Days 1 to 6, Scottish 6 Days – Royal Deeside Federation UK and Scottish Urban Leagues. British Orienteering Federation Be a part of it! Enter now through joined the International Orienteering Sientries.co.uk. Further information on the Federation in 1967. Since then, British festival is available at www.scottish6days. Orienteering Federation has more com/2017 or follow us on Facebook than pulled its weight in International or Twitter @scottish6days. Orienteering Federation’s workings and decision-making. Junior Inter-Regional CreditCarlyle Wendy Two International Orienteering Federation Presidents have been Championships 2016 held at British: Sue Harvey (1994-2004) LET’S CELEBRATE Cambus O’May, Royal Deeside and Brian Porteous (2012-16). John Disley was a member of the International Orienteering Federation TOGETHER AND Council from 1973 to 1984. Others who have taken prominent LOOK FORWARD roles in committees of the DAVID ROSEN (SROC) – JK 1978 International Orienteering Federation INDIVIDUAL RACE, include Clive Allen, Anne Braggins, WHARNCLIFFE. TO THE NEXT Robin Harvey, Chris James, David DAVID ROSEN IS CURRENTLY THE CHAIR OF THE May, Colin Palmer, Brian Parker, INTERNATIONAL ORIENTEERING Erik Peckett, David Rosen and Brian FEDERATION RULES 50 YEARS! Watkins. COMMISSION.

28 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 29 JAN KJELLSTRÖM INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ORIENTEERING 2017 ORIENTEERS SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATED THEIR WAY TO THE SOUTH EAST FOR FOUR DAYS OF ORIENTEERING OVER THE EASTER WEEKEND SOUTH EAST - 14 APRIL - 17 APRIL 2017 PHOTOS BY ROB LINES | THIS EVENT WAS HOSTED BY THE SOUTH EAST ORIENTEERING ASSOCIATION

DAY DAY TWO SATURDAY 15 APRIL – ONE INDIVIDUAL MIDDLE DISTANCE FRIDAY 14 APRIL 2017 RACE, AMBERSHAM COMMON, THE SPRINT RACE, WEST SUSSEX BRUNEL UNIVERSITY

30 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 31 JAN KJELLSTRÖM UK Orienteering PHOTOS BY ROB LINES | THIS EVENT WAS HOSTED BY THE SOUTH EAST ORIENTEERING ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ORIENTEERING 2017 - SOUTH EAST - 14 APRIL - 17 APRIL 2017 League 2017 The remaining Event Schedule for 2017 is: Credit Rob Lines Date Race Competition (host club, location)

08-Jul 11 Fat Rascal Weekend

09-Jul 12 Fat Rascal Weekend Competitor in action at the JK 31-Jul 13 Scottish 6 Days - Day 2 2017

03-Aug 14 Scottish 6 Days - Day 4 DAY THREE 02-Sep 15 Caddihoe Day 1 SUNDAY 16 APRIL – INDIVIDUAL LONG DISTANCE 03-Sep 16 Caddihoe Day 2 RACE, ST LEONARDS AND HOLMBUSH 30-Sep 17 British Sprint Championships

01-Oct 18 British Middle Champs

04-Nov 19 Southern Champs Weekend Urban Race

05-Nov 20 November Classic and Southern Championships

Full results of the 2017 Individual League, visit: www.ukorienteeringleague.org.uk/page/individualleague Full results of the 2017 Club League, visit: Full results for all age classes can be found online: http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2017/JK2017/ www.ukorienteeringleague.org.uk/page/clubleague Congratulations to everyone who competed. Thank you to the South East Orienteering Association and all the volunteers who through their hard work made this event happen. In 2018 the JK Festival will be hosted by West Midlands Orienteering Association and will take place from Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April 2018.

Congratulations to Tessa Strain (Edinburgh University Orienteering National Rankings Club) and Ben Mitchell (Swansea Bay Orienteering Club) who are both number one in the British Rankings as of the 16 May 2017. Credit Rob Lines CreditCarlyle Wendy Pos Name Club Points 1 Tessa Strain EUOC 8016 2 Megan Carter-Davies MWOC 7964 3 Jessica Tullie BASOC 7875 4 Anastasia Trubkina FVO 7869 5 Laura Robertson ESOC 7862 6 Fiona Bunn TVOC 7857 7 Catherine Taylor SYO 7840 8 Alice Leake SN 7832 DAY FOUR 9 Fanni Gyurko FVO 7806 MONDAY 17 APRIL – , PIPPINGFORD PARK 10 Charlotte Ward HALO 7776

Pos Name Club Points 1 Ben Mitchell SBOC 8409 2 Kristian Jones FVO 8384 3 Graham Gristwood FVO 8382 4 William Gardner OD 8335 5 Jonathan Crickmore EUOC 8329 6 Jamie Parkinson DEVON 8309 7 Peter Hodkinson NOC 8305 Ben Mitchell competing at the 8 Alexander Chepelin EUOC 8295 Tessa Strain competing in the British Long Championships 9 Alasdair McLeod CLYDE 8293 Sprint race at the JK2017 this year at High Dam 10 Richard Robinson NOC 8289 The full rankings list can be found at: www.britishorienteering.org.uk/page/rankings

32 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 33 ENERGY IN New National Office Address and Contact Details: ORIENTEERING British Orienteering Scholes Mill, Old Coach Road,Tansley, Matlock, DE4 5FY Office hours: Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm Tel: 01629 583037 Fiddler’s Ferry e-mail: [email protected] BY BRIAN MEE WITH ADVICE FROM DAN RILEY (BRITISH ORIENTEERING) Contacts AND PAT MEE (MANCHESTER AND DISTRICT ORIENTEERING CLUB)

The grounds of a power station are the last place one might expect to find an orienteering facility. Credit: Education Resource Centre National Staff: Development Team: Useful Contacts: However, SSE’s Power Station at Fiddler’s Ferry, Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station near Warrington, includes such a facility within a Chief Executive England Development Officer Anti Doping: Mike Hamilton nature reserve and education resource adjoining the Mike Hamilton Natalie Weir Email: [email protected] main site. The cooling towers, a stone’s throw away, Email: [email protected] Mob: 07891 091662 provide an impressive backdrop. Email: [email protected] Badge Claims: Business Support & Accounts Manager Email: [email protected] The nature reserve was created as a part of Jannette Blunden England Development Officer SSE’s commitment to the local community and Email: [email protected] Tim Herod offers a range of outdoor learning experiences Mob: 07891 091476 British Schools’ Orienteering Association: free of charge. At Key Stages 2 and 3 there is Head of Development Email: [email protected] Melanie Elkington the opportunity to study topics such as energy, Craig Anthony Email: [email protected] electricity and sustainability. For Key Stage 4 and Mob: 07342 882530 Communications Officer further education, the centre covers issues such Email: [email protected] Jennie Taylor Safeguarding: Mike Hamilton as safety, environment, sustainability, energy Tel: 01629 583037 Email: [email protected] from coal and biomass, flue gas desulphurisation Orienteering Services Officer Mob: 07557 958422 and more. The nature reserve offers a wealth of Dan Riley (2 days a week) Xplorer extravaganza at Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station. Orienteering Services Officer (England) Event Officials: Ernie Williams wildlife, ideal for studying habitats, food chains/ Mob: 07442 493149 webs and ecological sampling from primary school Dan Riley (1 day a week) Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] to university level. Additionally, a range of outdoor Mobile 07442 493149 activities including problem solving and team Email: [email protected] Environmental Officer: Peter Brett building are available for local community groups. Office Administrator Scott Parker Email: [email protected] Northern Ireland Active Clubs Coordinator Email: [email protected] Gemma-Hill Davis (Education Resource Centre Juls Hanvey Manager) met Dan Riley (British Orienteering Mob: 07717297676 National Fixtures Secretary: Mike Cope Office Administrative Assistant National Participation Manager) at the Institute for Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Outdoor Learning National Conference. Discussions Liz Goodwin Email: [email protected] on the feasibility of integrating orienteering with Wales School Liaison Officer Lake District Access Officer: Richard Tiley existing activities led to British Orienteering Bridget Stein Email: [email protected] provision as follows: Email: [email protected] • MAPPING Directors: Scottish Regional Development Officer (North) Scottish National Orienteering Centre: Dan Riley mapped the whole site and Brian Mee Johannes Petersen Tel: 01479 861374 Judith Holt – Chair Email: [email protected] produced a large scale extract of the visitor Extract of Fiddler’s Email: [email protected] centre area for introductory teaching exercises. Tel: 01629 582325 Ferry Map Credit: Email: [email protected] Brian Mee Scottish Regional Development Officer BMBO: • STAFF TRAINING (Central / South) Email: [email protected] David Maliphant – Vice Chair Pat Mee delivered a Teaching Orienteering Part Rona Lindsay Mobile: 07708 252083 1 course to introduce staff to the basic skills of Email: [email protected] Stef Lauer Email: [email protected] orienteering and to learn how to deliver sessions Chief Operation Officer in a fun, exciting and enjoyable way. Learning was Scottish Orienteering Association Bob Dredge (Treasurer) hands-on with each learner planning an exercise, Tel: 01479 861 374 Tel: 07974 089335 Steering Group Chairs: putting out their own controls and delivering the • PURPLE PEN COURSE PLANNING the information has been absorbed. If not, one Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] exercise to the rest of the group. This approach SOFTWARE keeps watching the video until all questions have To contact a Steering Group please use the www.scottish-orienteering.org been answered successfully! With some power appropriate email address below: made clear the thought and prior planning Staff were shown how to use Purple Pen for Office: National Orienteering Centre, Glenmore still generated by coal, the site environment was Chief Executive involved in the provision of a quality session. The course planning and preparation. It will provide [email protected] Lodge, Aviemore PH22 1QU incredibly clean. Over the last few years, SSE has Mike Hamilton high level of practical involvement also created a a time efficient way to create bespoke challenges [email protected] implemented a number of European directives more interesting learning experience. for specific groups. Email: [email protected] which have reduced some emissions by as much [email protected] • PERMANENT COURSE SET UP A spin-off of this provision was an interesting as 94%. By products from the processes involved Philip Baxter [email protected] Dan provided advice on permanent control insight into severaal aspects of the power station. usefully provide materials for the construction Tel: 028 9263 9841 marker design and location and supplied the Access to the nature reserve is dependent on industry. Email: [email protected] markers for the nature reserve to install. A viewing a video detailing safety issues and the JK2017 INTERNATIONAL permanent orienteering course is essential in a procedures to be followed in the event of potential There is most certainly scope for varied and Elizabeth Pariag interesting learning experiences at the nature busy educational environment as there is often emergency situations at the main site. On Email: [email protected] FESTIVAL OF ORIENTEERING insufficient time to set out and take in control completion, a short test paper indicates whether reserve with orienteering to complement them. markers. Credit: Brian Mee Julie Webster Gemma Hill-Davis Education Resource Centre Email: [email protected] • XPLORER Manager Education/Community/Health and Xplorer is an educational navigation challenge Wellbeing, said: David Camm – Independent Director that works well with younger age groups. It is Email: [email protected] educational and fun and gives children a sense British Orienteering have been a of adventure as they explore the nature reserve fantastic company to work with, they to find the markers. Many of the marker sets Staff have delivered some high quality Events & Competitions: complement the regular environmental work of introduced training and offered some great the nature reserve. to basic advice. It is a very exciting time and Chris Phillips skills of Tel: 0780 165 3896 orienteering we enjoyed our first Xplorer event. Email: [email protected]

Credit: Rob Lines For further information, email: [email protected] or call: 01629 583037 Credit: Rob Lines

34 www.britishorienteering.org.uk Orienteering Focus - Summer 2017 More People, More Places, More Podiums 35 Mo re P eop le, M ore Plac es, M ore P odiums Controls the ready for at Day 2, JK2016 Credit:Photography ActivNorth

“Orienteering is the ‘go to’ outdoor sport for people wanting to test themselves physically and mentally.” www.britishorienteering.org.uk