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Organiser's Comments
This was supposed to be the East Anglian Schools' Championships, but where were
the children?
Congratulations to Kings College School, Cambridge who were enthusiastic
- most of them even had energy for two runs. They were worthy winners, even if their
competition was lacking. It seems one of the problems is differing timing of half-term
across the EA counties. This is a problem which will increase as schools move
to four terms and other local variations. What was notable however was the absence
of EA club juniors, quite worrying for the future if so few turn out, or perhaps
they don't associate their orienteering with school.
Holcote & Reynolds
Wood has grown considerably since the early days when the trees were dwarfed
by the weeds, although the seasonal undergrowth thrives in the mature forest.
The woods belong to the Woodland Trust, a big 'Thank you' is due to them for
use of the area and their co-operation in staging the event.
Thanks to Neil
Humphries (WAOC) for controlling and to John Lewis for planning and to
all SMOC helpers on the day.
Keith Downing
(SMOC)
Planner's Comments
The main problem in planning at Brogborough
is the dead run linking Reynold and Holcot woods. This particularly affected Orange
and Light Green where it has to be a significant part of the course. Unfortunately
there is nothing that readily can be done about it but that doesn't stop one
spending a lot of time trying. The other problem at this time of year is the
undergrowth in the North East part which seemed to increase day by day in the
last few weeks. Fortunately only the longer courses were affected. I hope it
didn't prove too much of a problem.
I suppose any planner's immediate
response is relief that nothing went seriously wrong; all the controls were
roughly in the right places, all the control codes were correct, etc. This
was due in no small part to Neil's careful checking and firm but gentle
controlling with many useful comments and suggestions. I was also grateful
for the considerable help from John, Robert and Keith, both on the planning
and on the physical side of hanging controls and to the other Neil who
actually did the full circuit three times on Sunday without even having
a proper run.
The course times look reasonable allowing for Brown
being on the short side and that running speeds of 6-7 m/k on White
and Yellow are difficult to allow for. I hope you enjoyed the sunshine
and that you'll come back again next time.
John Lewis
(SMOC)
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