Our event at the orienteering jewel of Avon Heath which is cradled between the major arterial roads of the A 338 and the A31 was a delight.

It gave experienced runners/navigators together with total novices a good day out.The fact that so many people turned up on the day was very gratifying and justified the wide range of activities that the club provided.

John Oakes’ courses made the best use of the very scenic area and provided a challenge in deciding on straight line or path run options.

Becca continued to coach the growing group of young aspirants and had a little help from the ebullient Jason (Wessex). Debora and Kirsty had many youngsters doing the Christmas tree(naughty numbers activity): always popular. There was a very large number of adult as well as junior novices attending  and thanks are due to  Brian, Sue, Eamon, Kirsty and Wendy  for taking them under their wing and giving them a good time. There are those who I have not mentioned but so many WIMs turned up and pitched in. Thank you.

It was fortunate that Avon Heath Country park has photocopying facilities for it was necessary to print up a few extra maps on the day: so popular was the event.The last copy of the score course found an unwanted admirer in the form of a small but determined dog who found it in the box and made a territorial gesture upon it. Shaken off and wiped with a tissue the map was placed upon the “fortunate” photocopier to produce a few more of its kind.   

Many thanks to all who took part and supported this event.

Keith Henderson

Apologies for the problems with Control boxess 169 & 170. These two boxes were renumbered (as 144 & 154) for use as duplicate controls at the Boxing Day Canter. Unfortunately after the event, someone removed the temporary labels on them before they could be reprogrammed, and they had been already deployed on the heath this lunchtime before the Canter planner remembered what had happened, but couldn't remember which boxes were involved.

So we had to wait until people downloaded and complained before we could work out which the offending boxes were and correct things.
I've corrected the L Green results, and given those on the Score course their missing 40 points.

Dick Keighley