New Year Cracker – 1 January 2019

‘Special’ 1 hour event to test the brain cells in the New Year

Ormskirk street league

A slightly damp but nevertheless quite warm evening was enjoyed by runners at the fifth event in the Night Street League series yesterday. That marks the half-way point and we reconvene at Standish on 9th January. RouteGadget is now available, and all the league tables have been updated.

18th New Year Cracker

The 2019 Cracker will be held on New Year's Day at Sizergh, near Kendal. Please arrive in good time to register as this is a mass start event. Further details here.

Street League latest

Results for Carnforth are on-line here. Latest results and league tables are always available by following the League scores link on the Night Street League page (picture link top left of home page). Don't miss the last pre-Christmas event in Ormskirk on Wednesday!

Get your food order in for Ormskirk!

Please can anyone planning on going to the next street league event in Ormskirk, on Wednesday 19th December, contact Norman Hall with your food order as soon as possible. There will be no chance to order on the night, and if we don't get enough takers there will be no food for anyone! Details here.

Night Street League event 4, Carnforth

A warm night and a new venue greeted runners at the fourth event in the popular street league series. RouteGadget is ready for your routes here, results to follow.

North West Night League

The SROC NWNL event for the current season was held in Low Park Wood this evening. Results here. RouteGadget for the event is available here. Which way did you go?

Helmshore street league

RouteGadget for last evening's night street league event at Helmshore is ready to receive your routes. Results here.

St Annes street league

With apologies for not posting this sooner. The results from last Wednesday's event may be viewed here and RouteGadget for the event is here.

Autumn Series event in Williamson Park

The second Williamson Park event results are now on-line here.

Help needed for British Schools weekend

Our neighbours PFO are hosting the British Schools Orienteering champs on 17th & 18th November in Tockholes and Witton Park. They are a bit short on helpers so would welcome any additional volunteers to help the events run smoothly. Anyone able to help on either day should contact Hamish Willis.

Upcoming events

Details of the next few events are available via the fixture list, or follow these links for St Annes night street event 7th November, Williamson Park "orienteering for famlilies" 10th November and Helmshore night street event 21st November. Please note that anyone wishing to eat after running at Helmshore needs to pre-order their food via Steve Wilson.

Night Street League

Results for the Lancaster event are here. Don't miss the next in the series at St Annes on 7th November.

New Street League season underway!

There was a very strong turnout for the first event in the 2018-19 Night Street League in Lancaster this evening. Results will follow when ready, but in the mean time why not add your routes to RouteGadget?

Compass Sport Trophy 3rd place for SROC

A strong team of SROC members enjoyed the bracken and brambles of Cannock Chase today competing in the Compass Sport Trophy, the clubs championships for small clubs. Despite some excellent runs we couldn't quite match the top performers but came a creditable 3rd place from 15 clubs. Full results here.

Autumn Series event, Williamson Park

We hope you all enjoyed the orienteering event at Williamson Park on 20th October. The results are now available here, and RouteGadget here. The next similar event is on Saturday 10th November, same time, same place (except that the start/finish/registration will be at the foot of the monument building, so a bit nearer to the Wyresdale Road car park). See the fixtures tab (full details will be up soon).

Another event to come to is the first of our Winter Street League starting at The Wagon and Horses, 27 St Georges Quay, Lancaster LA1 1RD, with starts from 6.30 to 7.30 on Wednesday 24th October.  An exploration of the Western Part of Lancaster, finding controls as you go! Perhaps not as suitable for the very young, but their parents will love it! See he fixtures tab too. If you are a newcomer and have any questions, just ask development@sroc.org

Street League 2018-19

The nights are rapidly drawing in so it is time, with 3 weeks to go, to get organised for the next SROC Street League season. Pencils need sharpening, torches need checking, reflective vests need finding and bodies, both muscles and minds, need fine tuning for the challenge to come.
This year in addition to the usual trophies and prizes on offer we have 2 new trophies. The John o'Gaunt trophy which will be based on a Lancaster event, with the inaugural event being on the 23rd January at Torrisholme. The second trophy will be in memory of Maurice Dean who sadly died recently and many of you will remember him as an enthusiastic member of the Street League 'scene'. It is proposed that this trophy be aimed at the 65+ section of competitors and based on the best 5 age related scores, a suitable name for this trophy yet to be agreed (suggestions welcomed, ideally not rude!).
The season 'kicks off' with Rowena's event in Lancaster West on 24th October we look forward to seeing many of you there. Details of all the other venues are available here.

SROC AGM Thursday 11th October

The venue for the 2018 AGM will be the Victoria Room in Caton Victoria Institute. This is just off the mini roundabout in Caton village, near Lancaster. We have the room from 7pm am and the AGM will start at 7.30pm. Please make an effort to attend and bring some food for the jacob's join after the formalities are complete. Anyone keen to help the club develop may wish to put themselves forward for the committee; new members are always welcome!

City of Lancaster Urban race

Today saw the first use of the Lancaster map, with competitors running around the city centre with a finish in the University of Cumbria grounds. Results are available here with RouteGadget here. This event and yesterday's at Lancaster University score in the NW Urban League.

NW Sprint Championships, Lancaster University

Results for the North West Sprint Champs held today may be viewed here. RouteGadget is available via this link.

SROC Club Dinner 2018

The club dinner will this year be held on Friday 2nd November at The Mill at Condor Green, Thurnam Mill Lane, Condor Green LA2 0BD www.themillatcondergreen.co.uk

The guest speaker will be Steve Birkinshaw.
If you would like to come along to what promises to be a fantastic evening with an excellent speaker with delicious food and great company, please can you:

Compass Sport Trophy Final - your club needs you!

SROC has qualified for the 2018 CST Final which is being held at Abraham’s Valley, Cannock Chase, on Sunday 2st October.
Entries have to be submitted a month before the event. Please contact Miriam Rosen by 5pm Wednesday 19th September to give her time to do this. Please provide: forename, surname, age class, BOF number and SI number. We would love to have everyone running, no matter how good you are! It's a real club occasion! As you will be running for the club your entry fees will be met in full from club funds.

Worden Park thanks

Many thanks to all who helped on and before the Worden Park fundraising activity on Sunday.  I think everyone concerned was happy with the outcome, which would not have been the case without all your expertise .  The weatherman was kind to us as well. Peter Knott

A Tribute to Maurice Dean 1932-2018.

Early Days-before leg cover !

Our friend and founder member, Maurice Dean, sadly passed away in hospital on the 1st August 2018 after a long and brave battle against Multiple Sclerosis.

He was born in Leyland on the 4th June 1932 and when his mother died young in the early years of World War Two he was brought up in the Harris Orphanage in Preston.

Sad news

We have received the sad news that SROC Elder Statesman Maurice Dean has died yesterday afternoon. Maurice was one of the original members and has remained active in the club; in recent years often to be seen at local events being pushed in his wheelchair by Peter Knott. He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family. Details of the funeral will be notified when known.

An extra event and request for help

On Sunday 2nd September at Worden Park Leyland I am putting on an open 'Come and Try it' orienteering activity day for the MS Society Chorley and Leyland Group. I would be most grateful for any help any of our members can give me on the day. (Start times are 11am to 3pm). I need help with registration, results, start, 1st Aid, instruction and help for novices and some patrolling of the park.

There will be an unusual course for you to enjoy as well as the novice courses.

Peter Knott  pgk1936@gmail.com  01772-683072

Summer Sprint series final scores

Scores after five events may be viewed here. Congratulations to the series winners in the various categories, most of whom received their prize at the Myerscough event. Open winners were Luigi Lerose and Anne Ockenden, vets winners were Graham Capper and Jane Anthony and the junior winners were Alex and Cate Matthew. The pairs and group prize went to the group from Stepping Stones. A couple of the categories were only decided at the final event. RouteGadget is ready for routes to be added, both courses may be accessed from the RG main page.

Myerscough sprint event

Myerscough College was the venue for the last in the current series of sprint events this evening. All were treated to both brilliant weather and excellent use of this complex area by planner John Ockenden. The results are available here, more analysis to follow.

Summer Sprints

The scores after four events make interesting reading. With one more event to go, at Myerscough on 3rd July, most of the classes are still not decided.

Cottam sprint series event

The fourth event in the current sprint series enjoyed warm and dry conditions and plenty of quick fire decision making. Results may be viewed here.

Request for helpers

On the evening of Wednesday 27th June at Beacon Fell Country Park we are putting on the annual Scout & Guide Orienteering Championships. If this year proves as popular as previous years then we could have upwards of 100 youngsters (and some oldsters) taking part. Karen and I would therefore be very grateful for any help people can give. If you can spare the time then please contact us on nash.family@talktalk.net or 01772 721573. There is the usual range of courses for the youngsters plus two technical courses for those who wish to have a run.
Many thanks in anticipation - Bob & Karen

Club Picnic

The weather gods continue to look favourably on our activities and the 2018 picnic went ahead in perfect conditions, in a lovely wood. Above we see early arrivals preparing for the race, after which a hearty picnic was enjoyed by all. Results may be viewed here.

Stanley Park organizers' comments

Bill and Dawn's comments from Tuesday's event may be read here.

Club Picnic

The main club social event of the summer takes place in the delightful Hyning Scout Wood, near Silverdale tomorrow, Saturday 9th June. Details are on the flyer. All members, new and old, are invited to come for a run and a bite to eat. Please bring your contribution to the picnic to share with everyone else.

SROC Lakes 5 helpers

SROC are responsible for providing manpower for day 2 of the upcoming "Lakes 5 Day festival of orienteering". The event is taking place on Angletarn Pikes, an excellent area above Patterdale on 30th July 2018. The planner is Gavin Smith and organiser Tony Marlow.
Tony is looking for volunteers for Starts, Finish, Parking and a few for general assembly duties. Could anyone who is willing and able to assist email him antonymarlow@gmail.com, phone 07736939856 or msg him on social media.

Andy Quickfall's Joss Naylor Challenge

SROC member Andy Quickfall is attempting the Joss Naylor Challenge on Saturday 16th June. For those not aware this is a 48 miles and 17000 feet crossing of the Lakeland fells from Pooley Bridge to Greendale Bridge, Wasdale. Andy has a 15 hours 45 minutes schedule (he's allowed up to 18 hours) as follows:

Leg 1– Pooley Bridge depart 6.45am
Leg 2 – Kirkstone Pass depart 10.55
Leg 3 – Dunmail Raise depart 13.35
Leg 4 – Sty Head Pass depart 17.59
Finish – Greendale Bridge (Wasdale) 22.30pm

Andy says:

"I’d very much appreciate your support by advertising my Joss Naylor attempt on 16th June to SROC club members, firstly in case anybody would like to support on the hills (I have supporters, but more are always welcome!), and also to advertise my charity fundraising efforts via the Just Giving website – link below."
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Andy-Quickfall

Summer Sprints - latest scores

With three events gone, two to go and your best three scores to count, the latest league tables are interesting reading! Mark Edwards maintains his overall lead but both Luigi Lerose and David Thomas have a win and a second place from their two events so that could change next time. Jo Matthew moves into first place in Open Women and Alex and Cate Matthew remain in charge of the junior classes. Meanwhile, to prove age is no barrier to success, the M55+ category is lead by a M65 ahead of a M75! (Paul Ferguson and Peter Marett). Jane Anthony has consolidated her lead in W55+. The penultimate event is on Tuesday 19th June at Cottam, Preston.

Stanley Park results

Results for the 3rd sprint event in the series are on-line here. Series scores to follow.

Summer Sprint event 3

The next race in the Summer Sprint Series will take place in the flat and fast terrain of Stanley Park in Blackpool tomorrow, Tuesday 5th June. Please read the updated event flyer before travelling.

British Champion!

Stand out result from the 2018 British orienteering Championships, held last weekend in Scotland, was David Roome's win in M35L. He is seen here at the finish. Photo by Steve Rush.

Summer Sprint Series scores

The score tables after two events may be viewed here. This version also corrects some mistakes in the earlier version. RouteGadget for the University of Cumbria event is available for both races, via the RouteGadget index. Photo above: runners queue for the reverse-order Final start at the University of Cumbria, Lancaster campus.

Summer Sprint event 2

The glorious weather continues to make the organisers' job easier and the runners' pleasure greater! Despite not having the Planner in the country this evening's sprint event went very well and seemed to be enjoyed by all present. Results may be viewed here. Our photo shows overall winner and renowned sprint orienteer Charlotte Ward starting the Final.

Pop Up orienteering

If you have not had enough orienteering after our summer sprint event at Uni of Cumbria on Tuesday evening, Warrior are putting on a summer evening event at short notice on Wednesday evening in aid of Macmillan cancer support. For details see this link.

Summer Series scores

With just one event in the series so far, and your best three scores to count, there's plenty of time to make a bid for SROC Sprint Series fame! The next event is on 22nd May in the University of  Cumbria campus in Lancaster. Each sprint event comprises two races, with something suitable for beginners and children as well as the more seasoned orienteer. League scores (pdf).

Williamson Park Summer Sprint 1

The earlier rain did little to dampen spirits at the first sprint race in the series. Runners had to cope with slippery conditions but were treated to an Iain Embrey speciality, a Micro-O, for the final. This was not as easy as it might at first seem! Results are here, series points will be published later.

Astley Park results

A sunny Spring day was enjoyed in Astley Park today. Results are on-line here.

Spring Series event in Astley Park

The second event in the series will be held on Saturday 28th April in Astley Park, Chorley. Newcomers are encouraged to attend and will find plenty of help at hand if needed. More experienced orienteers will also be catered for with a "Technical" course. Details here.

Worden Park Spring Series event

Although it was one of the wettest days I can remember, most people left with smiling faces and very muddy shoes. Many thanks to Mark Edwards, Martyn and Sue Roome, Sophie Roberts, Mark Sammon and Josie Greenhalgh for you invaluable assistance. Tony Marlow. Results here.

Spring is in the air!

Spring for SROC means the Spring Series, which starts on Saturday 7th April with the Worden Park event. This will be followed on 28th April with an event in Astley Park. Both events cater for beginners and experienced orienteers.

JK Festival of Orienteering

A contingent of SROC members made the annual pilgrimage to the Jan Kjellström Festival held this year on Cannock Chase. Links to results and photos can be found on the JK website, but we pick out some of the successes below:

SROC Lancaster urban weekend 22nd &23rd September

Some preliminary details for the urban weekend which SROC is hosting in September are now available, either by clicking on the picture link on the left of the home page or by following this link. The weekend includes the North West Sprint Champs at Lancaster University on the Saturday, followed by an urban race in the City of Lancaster on the Sunday using a brand new map.

Farleton Knott

The rescheduled Farleton Knott event went ahead today in lovely Spring sunshine; so different to the weather just a few weeks ago when it was snowed off. Results are available here, with additional analysis including RouteGadget, Winsplits Online and Splitsbrowser also available. A slight glitch affected about 20 runners, meaning they were not shown in the first version of the results as published. This has now been corrected everywhere. Another gremlin crept into the map during its geo-referencing which means that courses were actually longer than advertised. The correct lengths were White 1.5, Yellow 2.7, Orange 3.5, Light Green 4.0, Short Green 3.0, Green 4.4, Blue 6.7, Brown  8.8. These lengths are still comfortably within guidelines and some very fast times were recorded. We hope that no-one's enjoyment was affected.

Farleton Knott final details

Final details for the rescheduled event at Farleton Knott have been published here.

JOK Chasing Sprint 24th March

We are fortunate in that the yearly JOK Chasing Sprint is in our region, at Delamere Forest on Saturday 24th March. You could use this as a warm up for our Farleton event the following day. Details here.

British Relay Championships - 20th May

The closing date for entries to the British Relays is fast approaching. If you would like to run then please e-mail the club captain the Club Captain with your Name, Age group, BOF number and SI number. Entries to me by Tue 3rd April at the latest. Quentin

Garstang RouteGadget

With apologies for the delay, RouteGadget for the street league finale event is now available.

Night Street League - the finale

The Prize Giving for the 2017-18 Street League series took place on a pleasant evening in Garstang, hopefully a good time was had by all. Apologies for control site 21, it was not part of an advert suggesting you went to Specsavers, but was rather optimistic on my part - hope it didn't spoil anyone's run. We have also reinstated the 2 times which produced anomalies because dibbers were not cleared and checked!
I am very grateful to Miriam for agreeing to do the prize giving and to Karen N for ensuring that we have already a complete set of events for the next series. Just the summer to get through before we start again.

SROC wins Compass Sport Trophy heat!

A sunny day for a change and a strong performance from the SROC team at Clowbridge means we are through as heat winners and will once again appear in the final in October. Full results are here. These were the counters, but we had many more good results.

Farleton Knott event rescheduled for March 25.

Entries have reopend via Fabian 4 and will close on 19/3/18 if not full beforehand. Entry limit of 220.

Night Street League latest

The tenth and final 2017-2018 league event was enjoyed last night in Logridge. RouteGadget for the event is available here. Don't forget the mass start finale in Garstang next Wednesday, with prize giving afterwards. Details here.

Farleton Knott Event Postponed

Following a site inspection today (Friday 2nd Mar) by the organising team, the decision has been made to postpone the event. This decision has been made following an assessment of the safety of those travelling to the event, those competing and moreover those staging the event in what is an exposed location during a period of extreme weather. Further updates to follow.
PLEASE DO NOT TRAVEL TO THIS EVENT.

Last Call for JK Relay Entries Monday 2nd April

The closing date for entries to the JK relays is fast approaching. If you would like to run and have not told the club captain already then please e-mail the Club Captain with your Name, Age group, BOF number and SI number. Entries to me by Sat 3rd March at the latest. Quentin

British Night Champions!

A small SROC contingent journeyed South to the British Night Championships held on Saturday. David and Heather Roome won their respective classes (M35 & W35) to be declared 2018 champions. Quentin Harding was second in M55 while Helen Ockenden (now CUOC) was third in W21. Congratulations to them all! Full results are here.

Farleton forecast

The organising team for the Farleton event on 4th March have any eye on the long term weather forecast for the coming week. There is a possibility that the event may have to be postponed if conditions underfoot are considered unsafe due to snow or ice. We will post an update here on Friday evening.

Hest Bank results

Provisional results for last Wednesday's street league event at Hest Bank may be viewed here.

Hest Bank Street League

Rowena's and Chris's Hest Bank event took place in dry and cool conditions before retreating in to the pub for some great grub. RouteGadget is ready for your routes, results will follow when available.
Lost Property, an Inov8 black/grey sock size 40-43 was found in the car park after the event.

Nicky Nook lost property

There was a bag containing a hat and gloves left at the start/finish at Nicky Nook on Saturday. If these are yours please get in touch to arrange return. Northernnights@sroc.org

Northern Nights at Nicky Nook

Saturday evening saw the Northern Night Championships hosted by SROC at Nicky Nook. The weather was kind and we had the unusual occurrence of all the pre-entered competitors turning up! Congratulations to the Northern Nights Champions: Open Men David Roome SROC, Open Women Zoe Harding EUOC/SROC, M18- Dominic Dakin SYO, W18- Hannah Hateley DEE, M40+ Duncan Harris DEE, W40+ Susan Skinner WCOC, M55+ John Embrey DEE, W55+ Charlotte Somers-Cocks LOC. Full results here. Also RouteGadget here.

Last Call for CompassSport Trophy Entries - Sunday 11th March

The first round heat takes place on Sunday 11th March at Clowbridge near Burnley, initial details can be found here. The club will subsidise all the SROC entries so that you will be entered for free. A copy of the Clowbridge map can be seen via Seloc's results and routegadget.
All club members are encouraged to take part but entries must be made through the club captain. If you have not told the club captain already and would like to run in the event then please e-mail the Club Captain with your Name, Age group, BOF number and SI number. Entries to me by Wed 21st Feb at the latest. Quentin

Nicky Nook Northern Night Champs & NWNL event 17th February

Final details for the night event next Saturday have been published here. Entries are still open and will remain so until 5pm on Friday 16th.

Southport results

Thanks to smart work by Steve and Mark we now have the results for Wednesday's event.

North West Night League

Check out the latest scores in the NWNL here. SROC's event at Nicky Nook is the next counter in the league, as well as being the Northern Night Champs! Entries are still open on Fabian4.

Farleton Knott Cumbrian Galoppen

Preliminary details for the event on 4th March are now available here. Please note that entries numbers are limited, and entries will open on Fabian4 on 11th February. SROC members wishing to help should contact Mike Johnson.

Night Street League latest

Street leaguers were treated to another new map of a new area last night, with the weather playing ball to boot. RouteGadget has already had a few routes added, why not add yours too? Steve McLean provided an impressive live results service; official results will be available in the usual format shortly. Meanwhile here are the Darwen results which the web elves forgot to post a link to!

2018 Club Handicap

The 2018 Club Handicap took place today on a brand new map of Leighton Hall estate; not used for orienteering for many years. As well as drawing the map Alex Finch also planned the courses and skilfully applied handicaps for all runners. The first SROC member to reach the finish was Chris Roberts. After the race all enjoyed the surroundings of Leighton Hall; particularly the roaring log fire. Food was consumed and club trophies awarded. Results are on line here.

Southport night street league

SROC's street league now moves to another new area: Southport, on 7th February. This one might be a little bit flatter than Darwen! Further details have been posted here. Please note that Steve has asked that intending participants email him to give an idea of numbers and whether food will be ordered.

Darwen night street event

Runners were treated to a brand new area and map for the event held last night, thanks to SELOC members. RouteGadget is now ready for your routes here. Did you go under the motorway first? Or stay South? Let's see what you did!

2018 Club Handicap and Annual Prizegiving

Final details for this year's event have been published here. All club members are invited to attend - the handicapper has skilfully ensured that we all have an equal chance to win! (Allegedly). Should be an event to remember on a new map of an almost new area, last used many years ago.

More street league events and food orders for Darwen

Regular SROC street league competitors may not realize that our series has spawned imitators in other parts of the region. If you fancy a run around the streets on a different night of the week try one of the MDOC events, or why not look in on a DEE event? Meanwhile our next event is on Wednesday 24th in Darwen. Today is the deadline to pre-order food so if you haven't, check out the details.

Bolton scores

Scores for the recent night street event in Bolton are on-line here.

Street League event 6

Last night's street league event was on the hilly Bolton North area. RouteGadget is ready for your routes, results will follow when available.

New Year Cracker!

The 17th New Year Cracker lived up to its name as a strong turn out of both experienced and novice orienteers faced the delightful challenges of Eaves Wood in light rain. Results may be viewed via this link. Well done to all who took part! Why not add your route to RouteGadget?