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Jabberwaoc
April 2002
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JabberwaocApril 2002 |
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Club members starred in the first round of the 2002 CompassSport Cup, being 2nd to Nottingham OC. This is perhaps the most successful performance in this competition since about the 2nd year in the mid-70’s when the Club reached the semi finals. The format has changed quite considerably since those days. However, the nature of the current competition is that only the winning club proceeds to the next round. More details are elsewhere.
Yet more success; at the 2002 East Anglian Championships held on NOR territory in northernmost Norfolk, WAOC came away with 7 Champions, 3 Ws and 4 Ms. And quite a few near misses. Again more details later.
A highly successful JK for the Club is now behind us. The Forest of Dean is always a lovely area when you can get into it, unlike during Easter 2001. We had one class winner and three 2nds, all from the girls, amongst the awards. And 12 Club members gained 17 Championship badge times between them, 5 won 2. The Relay results are still awaited but as far as we can tell there were no outstanding team performances though individuals excelled. More on these results later.
A Club get together over an evening meal was held on the Sunday at the Speech House Hotel in the depths of the forest.
A couple of new features, which I intend to make regular, put in an appearance. There will be a Prize Puzzle in each issue, open to all Club members and hopefully a similar Prize Puzzle in the Junior Jabberwaoc, obviously open ONLY to junior Club members. Initially the prizes will be a free entry at a Club colour-coded event. We might get a bit more adventurous later depending upon the success of the series and money available from Club coffers. The other regular feature will be the Popular Personality Profiles, which will allow prominent Club members to bare their souls so that we, the members, will know considerably more about them. This should allow for more interesting and lively discussions with them either at or after events. We start off with our outgoing, (in more ways than one) Chairman, Ursula Oxburgh.
The 2002 Midweek Summer Galoppen gets under way on 24th April at Cherry Hinton Park. Further details of this summer league you will find later on.
Of the 50 members to respond to the plea for electronic or hardcopy versions of Jabberwaoc 36 have opted for electronic whilst 14 have requested to maintain delivery of paper versions. 175 copies of the newsletter are sent out each edition. Because the 2002 Membership List has to go out with the April issue it has been decided to send a paper copy to everyone again. But, hopefully, we can use this issue as a test to ensure timely e-delivery as well. If any member reading this has still not opted to go for electronic Jabberwaoc acceptance, but would like to do so, please let the Editor or Secretary know – thanks.
Those of you who keep seeing a reference to NOW may be curious to know what it means. It stands for National Orienteering Week. This ‘week’, Saturday 8th June to Sunday 16th June, has been designated by BOF as NOW in an effort to attract new participants into our sport. Clubs throughout the country are being asked to put in a special effort with advertising and multiple, but very low key, events. As we go to press the committee are still working on final details, but we have two events listed within the Mid Week Galoppen timetable. Watch out for more – mostly posted on the Club Webpage, or sent to those on the Club email list. If you have any personal ideas and wish to get involved please let any Committee member know as soon as possible.
Hally Hardie 5 Apr 02
This is my first Chairman’s Chat, having been voted in (unopposed) at the recent AGM and, in what appears to have become a tradition amongst Chairmen, I am late in producing it (sorry Hally, I will try and improve next time!). Ursula, having completed her 3 years as Chairman, has now stepped down but will continue on the committee working with the schools. The other major change in the committee was that Anne Duncumb, the Secretary, was stepping down after 6 years in the role and has been replaced by Tim Mulcahy, but she will continue with her other role as Membership Secretary. A big thank-you to both Ursula and Anne for the time they have given the club whilst holding these positions.
The day after the AGM was the CompassSport Cup regional round at High Lodge where we were competing against NOR, DVO, LEI and NOC. After a terrific performance by everybody we finished 2nd behind NOC. It was great to see so many good performances.
But it was not just the points scorers, it was also the depth of the performances with many good results from further down the results list as well, which supported the rest of the club results. If we can continue with this level of performance then it is not inconceivable that we can improve on our second place in future years.
EA does not have many hills unlike the JK in the Forest of Dean over Easter period. It was certainly very draining on the legs with courses having close to the 5% of length maximum for the amount of climb which meant 400-500m. It also used the facility that comes with electronic punching of having a road crossing with controls either side, the time for which is deducted from your overall time. This means that areas that have roads that are 'crossable with care' bisecting them can be used for events. This also got me to thinking that that such pauses could be used for other reasons within a course. I can remember at the JK in North Wales having just climbed one of the (many) hills to turn a corner and there before me was a fantastic view down the valley towards Barmouth, and thinking that it would be nice to spend just a moment taking in its beauty. But the competitive side took over and I was off again down the hillside to the next control. Maybe, like the timed road crossing, we can have a timed viewing to allow us all to take in the beauty of the areas that we run through.
Another opportunity to experience hilly terrain is the training weekend in Scotland that Julia Wotton is organising on July 20/21. This is an opportunity for all club orienteers to train in much more technical areas than can be found around EA, but it is not just for the experienced club members. It can also be invaluable for beginners who want to learn more about the sport to train in there own time without other orienteers charging around looking as if they know where they are going.
Neil Humphries
A FINAL reminder from the Membership Secretary.
This is your last chance to renew your membership for 2002, if you have not already done so. We are sorry, but if we don't receive your subscription you will not be eligible to remain on the Club emailing list, and you will be surcharged at events as an independent runner. If you haven't yet renewed your membership for 2002, you will find a reminder with this edition of Jabberwaoc. Please send your sub NOW - BOF members direct to BOF, Club only members to Anne Duncumb, 5A Woollards Lane, Great Shelford, Cambridge, CB2 5LZ.
We hope that you will all enjoy orienteering with us.
To keep you all fully in the picture on the Club’s administrative doings, and in line with constitution requirements, the minutes of the last Club AGM are below.
West Anglian Orienteering Club
Annual General Meeting 6pm March 9th 2002
St Matthew’s Church Hall, St Matthew’s Street, Cambridge
Present: Ursula Oxburgh (in the chair). Caroline Louth (Treasurer), Anne Duncumb (Secretary), Jenni Barclay, Mike and Hazel Bickle, Mark Collis, Rolf Crook, Peter Duncumb, Lindsey Freeman, Nicola, Peter, Helen and Simon Gardner, John and Lewis Hadler, Hally Hardie, Roger Horton, Neil, Pauline, Martin and Philip Humphries, Noreen Ives, Ian Lawson, Graham, Edward, Sophie and Thomas Louth, Bruce and Maria Marshall, Clare and Alex Minshall, Chris Morley, Tim Mulcahy, Ron Oxburgh, Peter and Cath Pennington, Ian Renfrew, Ali Robertson, Martin Senger, Blanka and Katrin Sengerova, Ian and Adam Smith, Adrian, Helen, Jamie, Katrina and Duncan Taylor, Jean Sinclair, Sue, Clare and Katie Woods.
Apologies for absence were received from Barbara Bailey, Anne and Don Braggins, Robert Campbell, Mike Capper, Helen Christopher, Maurice and Pamela Hemingway,Russ Ladkin, Jitka Sengerova
There were no amendments to the minutes, which were then accepted by the meeting.
Proposer: Ron Oxburgh Seconder: Ian Lawson
There were no matters arising from the minutes.
The Chairman’s Report will be published separately in Jabberwaoc.
At the end of her report, the Chairman made two presentations:
The Owl trophy was awarded to Lindsey Freeman, in recognition of a series of outstanding runs during the last year.
The Tortoise trophy, for service to the Club, was awarded to Anne Duncumb
Copies of the accounts, which had been examined by Richard Gibbens, were circulated. The Treasurer commented on the current healthy state of the bank balance. Despite the Foot and Mouth outbreak, 2001 was a very successful year financially, with a surplus of £1594 contrasted to a budgeted deficit of £673.
Events included the Thetford Thrash, but 3 colour-coded events were cancelled. However, no costs were incurred for these because maps are not printed until just before events. Because of Foot and Mouth restrictions, map sales were down, as were grants to relay participants. In addition, there were no schools league or training events. Membership income was higher than expected, which is partly explained by the overlap of subscription payments between one year and the next.
Equipment: A new Club tent was purchased, also mini-markers, headlamps and batteries for them.
Training grants have been given to several of our successful Juniors.
Mark Collis asked about the big difference in map costs between 2000 and 2001. Caroline explained that maps are now printed for each event and we no longer have long print runs of maps. In addition, map costs are now linked to a specific event rather than being considered as a capital expenditure which would cover a number of events.
The accounts were accepted by the meeting.
Proposer: Lindsey Freeman Seconder: Sue Woods
The Treasurer expressed her thanks to Richard Gibbens for examining the accounts.
Junior men 1 Martin Humphries 2 Edward Louth 3 Lewis Hadler Junior women 1 Sophie Louth 2 Clare Woods 3 Katie Woods Senior men 1 Ian Renfrew 2 Rolf Crook 3 Graham Louth Senior women 1 Blanka Sengerova 2 Helen Christopher 3 Barbara Bailey Veteran men 1 Neil Humphries 2 Peter Woods 3 Ian Smith Veteran women 1 Janis Ryall 2 Ursula Oxburgh 3 Sue Woods
Junior men 1 Jamie Taylor 2 Martin Humphries 3 Simon Gardner Junior women 1 Blanka Sengerova 2 Katy Woods 3 Helen Gardner Senior men 1 Rolf Crook 2 Mark Collis 3 Russ Ladkin Senior women 1 Jean Sinclair 2 Penny Bickle 3 Sue Woods Veteran man 1 Bruce Marshall 2 Ian Lawson 3 Maurice Hemingway Veteran women 1 Lindsey Freeman 2 Hazel Bickle 3 Maria Marshall
Jabberwaoc: Helen Gardner, Martin Humphries, Jamie
Taylor, Simon Gardner
Clare Woods, Lewis Hadler, Edward Louth & Peter Gardner
White (Mice): Sophie Louth, Thomas Louth, Katy Woods, Alice Campbell,
Alex Minshall, Katrina Taylor, Duncan Taylor, Katrin Sengerova
Yellow (Squirrels): Sophie Louth, Katy Woods, Adam Smith, Philip Humphries
Orange (Hedgehogs): Edward Louth, Simon Gardner, Jamie Taylor
Light Green (Owls): Clare Woods, Martin Humphries, Lewis Hadler, Simon Gardner
Green (Choose): Peter Gardner, Helen Gardner
Philip Humphries (scoring run at Yvette Baker regional round) Thomas Hemingway William Louth Caitlin Campbell
Peter Gardner Helen Gardner
W10 1st Alice Campbell 2nd Katy Woods 3rd Sophie Louth M12 1st Jamie Taylor 2nd Edward Louth M14 1st Martin Humphries 2nd Simon Gardner W18 1st Helen Gardner M35 1st Robert Campbell M40 1st Neil Humphries W50 1st Jane Howsam M60 1st Chris Morley
M12 1st Edward Louth M40 1st Neil Humphries W10 1st Katy Woods W16 1st Helen Gardner W21 1st Helen Christopher W40 1st Caroline Louth
Chairman: Ursula Oxburgh resigned as Chairman, after the maximum 3 years in office. Neil Humphries agreed to stand for the position of WAOC Chairman. He was proposed by Ursula Oxburgh and seconded by Anne Duncumb. There were no other nominations and Neil was duly elected.
Secretary: Anne Duncumb resigned as Secretary after 6 years in office. Tim Mulcahy agreed to stand for the position of WAOC Secretary. He was proposed by Anne Duncumb and seconded by Ursula Oxburgh. There were no other nominations and Tim was duly elected.
Treasurer: Caroline Louth is willing to continue for another year and was proposed as Treasurer by Blanka Sengerova and seconded by Peter Pennington. There were no other nominations and Caroline was duly elected.
No points were raised under any other business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
1. Current and immediate past careers and occupations.
Having acquired a degree in Chemistry, I worked first as a Dyestuffs Technologist in ICI, then got married in the States, where Ron was doing a PhD, and spent the next 2 years working in Princeton University as a research assistant. When we came back to Oxford I got a job teaching Chemistry which I did off and on, at various schools, interspersed with child-raising and associated (?) double glazing and house painting, until I gave up some 10 years ago. In my 40's I became interested in girls' Olympic gymnastics, qualified as a coach and later as a judge and ran a club in Oxford for a number of years. When we moved to Cambridge I continued to coach, in the Homerton club, and to judge (a horrible job - how much better to be involved with a timed sport!) eventually giving up when I went back into full-time teaching.
2. Family members?
I’ve had scant success in interesting my daughters in O - they prefer marathons and find they spend too much time on re-location and not enough on running. (However, Rachel was spotted at the JK 2002, and seemed to be enjoying it. Ed)
3. A brief Orienteering history with notable successes and failures, both in competition and organisation, e.g. badge status, best ever status, best/worst events, etc
Ron and I started orienteering about 14 years ago. Chris Thorne (Drongo/WAOC) offered to take Ron to an event on Knettishall Heath and I asked if I could go as well. We were both hooked. At first we reckoned to drive a maximum of an hour to an event, but then as we got keener we began to orienteer most Sundays and started to drive further afield and to enter Badge Events. I got my first Gold standard on a W60S run in Shouldham Warren and my first Gold badge with a W60L run on a pouring wet day at Wharncliffe Woods, near Sheffield (I beat Sue Birkinshaw, formerly WAOC, now MDOC, that day so I must have done very well!). I seemed to adapt fine from the flat forests of EA to the contours of Yorkshire! Before Ron retired he was too busy to give much time to helping, so I tried to do enough for the 2 of us. I have helped at and organised a number of events, including a Badge Event at Rishbeth. And I co-ordinated the last Thetford Thrash. I love planning - I've planned Schools events, a Colour Coded event at Mildenhall and a Come and Try It at Ampthill last year. And I was lined up to plan at Rowney before I got the shingles. It's hard work for a geriatric, particularly with the SI units, but I have a mountain bike and I get lots of help with putting out and collecting in the controls, so I'm hoping to have another go. I have been Secretary and Membership Secretary of WAOC then Schools' Development Officer and am just finishing as Chairman. I represented WAOC on the EAOA committee for a number of years and then edited the newsletter, Points East, for the last 3 years before it went electronic and expired.
Personal aspirations for, and in, the sport, and in life in general.
My aspirations are for WAOC and its members. I love to see us doing well in inter-club events and relays but above all I just want WAOC members to enjoy O as much as I do. I have to confess to a particular interest in encouraging juniors, and I suppose that during my time as Chairman this has been the area that I have concentrated on. I obviously hope for a vigorous BOF but I would like to see Lottery/Sport England funding being directed much more towards the development of the club orienteer and distinctly less towards the Scandinavia-resident British élite. For me, to get fit again after nearly 3 years of shingles, to get top WAGAL points at a WAOC event, to win my class in the EAGAL this year, to win the EA Champs Trophy, to get Gold at a National Event, to move up in the Rankings - what's new?
A 'ramble' section
I love multi-day events! Our first was the first Lake District 5 Days and I have been to one every summer since. On the first day of that event I came 5th (after that the only way was down!). But the best experience was finding myself in a gaggle of W60s discussing a course - at most events they are so thin on the ground that I never set eyes on one. My favourite area? They all come flooding in and it is difficult to choose - I think I'll have to plump for Silver Howe, between Grasmere and Langdale, maybe partly because I've pottered on it, and areas like it, as a child and met up with D of E girls on it in mist and snow (that was quite scary, but they were great). But running on it with a Martin Bagness map, even in the rain, was magic. I love that bumpy, intricate Lake District terrain - there'll be more of it next summer and I'll be there.
Richard Harrison, venerable M50, has invited any Club members passing through Basel/Basle, Switzerland, to look him up. Richard, who’s current employer (Pahrma-Novartis), has posted him to middle Europe, is living at Karl Jaspers-Allee 4, CH-4052 Basel. Richard has spare beds and is offering to put you up for a while (short). If going that way give Richard a call on +41 (0)61 311 3258.
Chris Thorne has a number of historical orienteering newsletters and magazines which he is hoping to find a
suitable home for. These include: CompassSport Vol. 1 (1985) – Vol. 19 (1999); The Orienteer, 1978 – 1982
(the precursor to CompassSport); Handrail (brief competitor to CompassSport), the only 4 issues printed 1996/97.
Points East issue 25 to last. Jabberwaoc issue 13 to date. This is a marvellous haul for any local
orienteering historian, and all of it being offered for FREE. Contact Chris on 01223 – 338307/10954 – 210566
Get your training in before the Lakes 5 Days on the best terrain in the country!
The training weekend this year is booked for 19th/20th/21st July. Accommodation has been booked at the Glenmore Lodge self catering chalets for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Glenmore Lodge is near Aviemore in the heart of the Queens Forest which has some of the best orienteering areas in the country. There are 18 places available in this accommodation which has twin bedded rooms, hot showers, wash basins, toilets, heating and full self-catering kitchen facilities. You will need to provide your own breakfast and lunch. I will look into the options of eating out or cooking in. I have booked three nights so that people can drive up on the Friday, do training on Saturday and Sunday and drive home on Monday. It would also be possible to get flights from Luton to Inverness with EasyJet, but you would need transport to get to Aviemore and to the areas for training. Flights are of the order of £75 return but this depends when you book. I believe it is also possible to get a train to Aviemore. Several people have said they are prepared to take their cars if others will share the driving.
Training will be all day Saturday and Sunday. One of the areas will be Inshriac. A local orienteer will be providing the coaching.
Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, but more people can attend if they can find their own accommodation (the Glenmore Lodge does B&B for about £18 per night). Due to the distances and therefore costs involved, the club has kindly agreed to subsidise this trip. The cost of the weekend for those requiring accommodation will be approximately £40 per person plus you own travel expenses. If you wish to attend the training but find your own accommodation there will be a charge on the day to cover the cost of maps.
To reserve your place please return the form below with a deposit of £15 per person (payable to WAOC) if you require accommodation. Please return the form also if you wish to attend but don’t require accommodation so that I can determine the number of maps required. Please send the forms to me by the end of May at:
17 Roseford Road
Cambridge
CB4 2HA
Julia Wotton
I/We wish to attend the WAOC Aviemore Training Weekend Name: __________________________________________________________________ Address: No. of people requiring accommodation:_______ deposit at £15 pp = £____ Total deposit (cheque payable to WAOC) £____ No. of people not requiring accommodation: ________ I am prepared to drive my car Y/N* and can provide ____ seats for others I am prepared to drive someone else's car Y/N* *delete as applicable
As at 14th March 2002
Wednesday 24th April Cherry Hinton Hall, Roger Horton
" 8th May Bar Hill/Dry Drayton (Tesco's Car Park), Fred Northrop
" 22nd May Coldhams Common, Mark Collis
" 5th June Hinchingbrooke Park, Hally Hardie
" 12th June Therfield NOW, Julia Wotton
Friday 14th June Milton Park, Tim Mulcahy
Wednesday 19th June
" 3rd July Rowney Warren, Ian Lawson
" 17th July
" 31st July
" 15th August
" 29th August
" 11th September
Start times will be from 1830 hrs to 1930 hrs, unless the organiser has determined otherwise, but the later start time should still apply.
All events will be £1.50 per adult and £1.00 per Junior.
All events should have at least two courses, one at the roughly Orange level, and one at roughly the Green level. However, organisers are being encouraged to be innovative whilst at the same time recognising that some Club members can’t cope with the unusual. It is an opportunity to run training style events such as Windows, Line Orienteering, Brown Only maps, Norwegian etc. These forms of orienteering used to be encountered regularly 20 years ago, but rarely are they seen now. However, they are ways of enhancing skills. And they ARE fun.
WOULD ANY CLUB MEMBERS WILLING TO PUT ON AN EVENT ON ONE OF THE ABOVE SPARE DATES PLEASE CONTACT HALLY OR LINDSEY, EITHER AT AN EVENT, OR VIA: Hally40@aol.com OR 01480-465331.
These events should be seen as TRAINING and FUN events - NOT AS mini normal style ‘O’. Organisers can be planners as well. Controllers will not be appointed. Events are VERY LOW KEY. 300 Galloppen points will be awarded to each major organiser/planner, 100 to minor players. Competitors will have to earn their points. Normally on a mins per km basis if this can be identified. Consider this to be an effort league - you can get 100 points just for turning up - and competing. Juniors and Veterans can enhance their points score by running UP, whilst seniors will lose points by running DOWN. Small trophies for winners are doled out at the Club AGM – maybe Cream Eggs!
ORGANISERS ARE REQUESTED TO GET RESULTS, WITH COURSE LENGTHS (to work out mins/km - if possible) TO HALLY OR LINDSEY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER EACH EVENT. WE AIM TO GET THE POINTS INFORMATION ON THE CLUB PAGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
WAOC you are truly amazing. 2nd in the CompassSport Cup Regional Round is an absolutely stunning result. On the previous 2 occasions that it has been held we have come last.
Congratulations to Robert Campbell and the B course, who came first and to Jamie Taylor (2nd) and Edward Louth (4th) who won the G course with 2 stunning runs.
Then Peter Gardner and the C course and Lindsey Freeman and the E course, all second, plus Martin Humphries (4) and Clare Woods (5), running up on the F course, who also came second.
Helen Gardner ran the Women's Open, yes Open and came 4th. Thank you, Helen.
Huge thanks to Ian Jones, our acting captain, who did such a marvellous job in co-ordinating the entries and who spent most of the previous 2 days travelling either across the Atlantic or to and fro across the country and still turned up and ran.
Above all, though, it was a club effort. You all turned out and ran your socks off. Just look at the NOR results and think of all the people who did run! Thank you very, very much all of you. You are the greatest, well, very nearly the greatest, and this was a magnificent effort of which we can be truly proud.
Ursula
One of the Club’s more senior orienteers used to have a couple of Skandinavian orienteering Au Pairs. Firs and Lars were a pretty intelligent pair, just like most of us orienteers. And to air their IQ they used to play a game with our Club member. Our Club hero was asked to think of a number between 1 and 12. Then he would whisper the first letter of that number to Firs, and the last letter of the number to Lars. E.g. if ONE were chosen he would have whispered ‘O’ to Firs and ‘E’ to Lars.
The following conversation took place;
Firs: I can’t work out the number.
Lars: I can’t work out the number.
Firs: I still can’t work out the number.
Lars: Now I know the number.
Firs: So do I.
What was this number?
If you want to win the prize – a free entry to a WAOC colour-coded orienteering event of your choice – then write your answer on a card or piece of paper and sent to: Prize Puzzle (Hally Hardie), 40 Elizabeth Court, ST. IVES, Cambs. PE27 5BQ, to arrive not later than 7th May 2002. First correct solution out of the hat wins.
Running In Memory of Dave at the 2002 Grizzly
(Pictures can be found at this link)
This year's Grizzly was held at the usual time of year unlike last year when it was postponed due to foot and mouth. This meant there were less than 5 months between last year's race and this year's. Dave and I had entered for this year's race immediately after coming home from last year's. You have to be quick to enter, as it is such a popular race. I had done the full race for the 1st time last year having run the short race the year before. Running the big one is quite a different experience. With the short race (it was about 9 miles) you run most of it and treat it as a race. With the main race, it is an achievement to complete it.
Just after finishing last year, someone asked if I was going to do it again this year. I wasn't too sure at the time as I felt very tired and my brain wasn't in a good enough working state to make rash decisions. However, a few hours later, once I'd been revived with tea and food, the full enjoyment of the race was felt and I knew I wanted to do it again. For me it is not a race as such but an amazing experience of keeping yourself going reasonably quickly, floating down hills, pushing yourself up hills, trying to keep running along the beach, getting stuck in the mud, enjoying the scenery and enjoying the company of lots of like-minded people. In some ways it is almost a spiritual experience.
After Dave died I knew I had to keep running for him. He wouldn't want me to give up. I knew I had to run the 2002 Grizzly. At Dave's funeral Clive Baker (NOR and fellow Grizzler) and I hugged each other in tears and committed ourselves to run it for Dave. My sister's husband, Mark, took Dave's place. Mark plays squash and football regularly and has run half marathons before but is not a big runner although he is very fit. At least he lives in hilly country (near Bath) so can get more hill training than the likes of us in East Anglia.
At the end of January I started my training. I had been running and continued to run most Thursday evenings with the WAOC running group. To get hill training I needed to find some hills and I also needed to get distance training. I went to Therfield Heath one Saturday and ran 2 laps (8 miles) in horrendous wind and rain. On the Sunday I competed in the Icenian badge event (my 1st orienteering event since Dave died). The following Sunday was the Chiltern Challenge so I decided to have a break from running on Saturday so as not to wear myself out too much. The following Saturday I forced myself to Therfield Heath again in more wind and did about 1.5 laps (with the Burnham Beeches National event the next day, I didn't want to over do it). Lindsey was there too and encouraged me to do a bit more than 1 lap. The following Sunday I decided not to go orienteering anywhere but to do more hill training at Therfield. Unfortunately I had gone down with a cold. I had planned to run 3 laps (12 miles) this weekend but because of the cold I only ran 2. With Tim Mulcahy joining me, I ran the 2 laps faster than I ever had before. It wasn't quite so windy for a change. The following weekend I went to Therfield and ran 3 laps this time in wind, rain and hail! On the Sunday I orienteered at Bush Heath but really felt my legs were very tired. The following weekend (the one before the Grizzly) I didn't go orienteering. On the Saturday I ran from my home for about 6 miles trying to discover some interesting routes and failing. On the Sunday I went to Therfield and did 2 laps in record time (Tim Mulcahy was pushing me round again!). My last run before the Grizzly was the Thursday run round Cherry Hinton. I didn't feel I'd done quite enough training but I'd run out of time.
9th March 10am Clive and Steve Presland (CUPRC) turned up to pick me up. I was packed and ready to go although feeling somewhat apprehensive about the weekend. We started the long drive to Sidmouth. As usual we stopped at Stonehenge for a coffee and Megolithic Rock Cake. It was very windy. Once we arrived in Sidmouth the weather seemed somewhat nicer. We stayed at the same B&B as we have in previous years. It was hard for me to be there again without Dave. We met up with the others (Dave and Wendy Bedford (NOR), Adrian and Zoe Clarke (NOR), Peter Woods (WAOC), Helen Lloyd and Steve Searle (NOR)) and walked into town and made our compulsory visit to Sue's Pantry. The B&B provided an evening meal before we wandered to the Ship pub where Mark met us later. I had not slept well on the Friday night so was very tired and fortunately slept better on Saturday night.
We woke on Sunday to a dry but windy day. All that training in the wind had paid off. I did not have too much time to think before the race as I wanted to buy some trainers and Saucony, who sponsor the event, were selling kit at the event centre. After making my purchase I didn't have long to get changed and down to the esplanade for the start. I had told the organiser what had happened to Dave and that Mark was taking his place. I had also asked whether there could be something at the start in memory of Dave. There was supposed to be an announcement that we were running for him so I was keen to get down as soon as possible so I did not miss it. In fact the announcement wasn't made, but it was hard to hear what was being said anyway with all the noise of the competitors. I had arranged with the organisers also for there to be a memorial to Dave on the course at a certain point. That was more important to me.
At 10:30am the mass of competitors started moving forward and we were off. I had previously only had small chances to think about Dave. Suddenly it hit me very hard that he should have been there running up ahead and that after all the training I was finally going to run it for him. I choked, felt tears welling up in my eyes, felt I couldn't breathe and thought I would have to stop. I looked around for Mark and Clive but they were just too far away to grab hold of or speak to. I couldn't give up at this early stage. I had to do this for Dave. I just tried to think about running for Dave in stead of what should have been. I got my breathing under control and after the 1st 1/2 mile on the beach Clive, Mark and I managed to find each other amongst the crowd again and I began to relax and enjoy the race. Clive and I had planned to keep together for the whole run.
From Seaton we headed up the steep road towards Beer but soon turned off on to farm tracks and footpaths. After about 4 miles the sun came out and we were running across short grassy fields. You could see the competitors ahead zig-zagging across the countryside. I thought about taking my thermal top off while on the run but it proved a bit tricky and not worth the bother as the sun was soon hidden behind clouds again. At about 8 miles we were near the cliffs. The wind howled across making it interesting trying to run in the required direction and ripping the race number of some competitor's chest. Fortunately the wind was from sea
to land or some of us could have got blown over the cliff. We came down to the beach at Branscombe Mouth for a quick dip in the "only ankle deep" water and a short beach run before heading back up the hill inland. At this point the leading group could be seen coming back down to the beach on their way back (we had done 9 1/2 miles, the leading group had done 14 miles). More footpaths and a section through some trees lead us to the infamous bogs where I managed to lose my balance and planted my hands in the mud. The guy ahead of Clive made several attempts at one point to lift his feet out of the mud with his shoes still on his feet. A spare pair of trainers were hanging on a branch presumably for anyone who managed to lose their shoes forever in the mud. Then we had more footpaths and country lanes before reaching the Fountain Head pub where free beer was on offer (I don't think there were many takers). A bit more coastal footpath running in more wind brought us back to Branscombe Mouth where there was 1/2 mile of beach to run. I knew Dave's memorial should be at the end of this beach run. My stomach started to churn. I couldn't yet see the memorial. What if it was too windy and they couldn't build one? As we got nearer I saw a construction of driftwood which I knew had to be it. Clive kept with me although he could have gone faster at this point. We stopped at the memorial. A sign said
"You don't read a book to reach the end so don't run a race just to cross the finish.
In memory of Dave Wotton, Grizzler 1994-2001.
His spirit lives on in you all."
We paused for a few minutes to reflect and took some photos but I knew if I stopped for long I would never start again. The memorial being made of driftwood has been left to be reclaimed by the sea, although it will need quite a high tide to do so. The memorial was at the foot of the famous ‘Stairway to Heaven’, a big steep climb to the top of the cliff. From there it was more coastal footpath running down into Beer, up again along more footpath and eventually on to the road into Seaton and on to the beach for just 1/4 mile before the final sprint along the esplanade to the finish. The tide was quite high on that last bit of beach - some people got soaked when a big wave came in. Clive and I crossed the finish line together - 18 1/2 miles completed in 3:34hr. The winner had done it in 1:57 and the winning lady in 2:19. The longest time was 4:52. I guess Dave would have done it in a bit less than 2:30. Mark came in soon after me and Clive. The fire brigade was there ready to hose us down with high-pressure cold water before we headed back to the cars to get changed. After another visit to the event centre it was time to head back to the B&B at Sidmouth for hot showers and lots of food.
This year, unlike last year, I had managed to run all the beach sections and my legs did not feel so tired. So will I do it next year? Absolutely! And Mark is keen to do it again too. Now I need to find something else to do for Dave.
Julia Wotton
You will all recognise that Ian Renfrew, our Club Captain is now back with us at this end of the world. He returned just in time for the CompassSport Cup competition, and put in a storming run. He has since appeared at the JK to cheer on the various club relay teams, of which we had 15. Is this a record? – (the number of teams not that Ian was there.) However, for those of you who have not followed his exploits in Antarctica you may like to know the following. There is more to his story in the next issue of Jabberwaoc.
Rothera to Halley - January 2002. Ian Renfrew (Club Captain at Work)
Just over two weeks at Rothera; a great time, fun, but frustrating at times with the uncertainties about the season, and being on standby for the flight for several days in a row. I also have that Calvinistic work ethic that makes it difficult for me to skive joyously. I came down here to do my science project, and an enforced two-week stopover in a wonderfully scenic location with a ski slope out of my bedroom window is not too much of a hardship. That, with some instructions on ice belays, skiing and the use of crampons, a ridge walk along Reptile Ridge, an impromptu party when a US Research Ship was in. It was great fun, but in some ways here at Halley feels more like home, because I guess here I have work to do. At Rothera I did some work on my computer and over email a bit, but nothing concrete. Since arriving at Halley it’s been back to digging holes, unscrewing and screwing up scaffolding poles, making guys, testing
sonde equipment and so on. A bit of real field science. So we flew over last Tuesday and Wednesday, the 22nd - 23rd January. Firstly south from Rothera down the length of Adelaide Island, spectacular views of mountains and glaciers, loads of interesting sea ice patterns, the floes are ever-changing it seems. They really capture me. I was pretty lucky to be given the co-pilot’s seat for this flight - fantastic views and great fun. Our first stop was Fossil Bluff, a BAS summer base and forward staging post for field trips. We only had half an hour there to refuel. Unfortunately the weather was poor, but I can see why people love it there. Disarmingly peaceful surroundings, backed by scree slopes up to rugged pinnacles and glaciers, the view out front is across George VI Ice Shelf - a mix of snow and blue glacier - to the Antarctic Peninsula in the distance. As ever the views stretch for miles. Distances are so confusing as the air is cold and dry it contains very little water vapour and so what seems 10 km away is often more like 50! Onward from Fossil Bluff I was in the cockpit again for the flight over the peninsula to the Ronne Ice Shelf. It was an amazing flight; vast ice sheets punctured by isolated nunataks (points of rock jutting thro’ the ice), they looked like ghosts patrolling a deathly quiet domain. The space is so hard to describe; stretching out in all directions, whiteness and black specks, a vast country. At the Ronne, we had a rendezvous with a two-man field party who hadn't seen anyone for over two months. They looked like two men who hadn't seen themselves for two months; scraggly beards, wild hair, beaten clothes, weary bodies. But they'd had a successful season, all their work done with time to spare - they were on to the extras. At West Ronne depot are a couple of hundred drums of fuel; put there a few years ago using one of our ships, plus the helicopters from HMS Endurance, and then
our twin otters were used to move them from the coastline, inland a safe distance. Quite some operation, but those fuel drums mean a connection by air into Halley that otherwise would not be possible for BAS. By the time we had refuelled at the Ronne, chatted to the glaciologists, dropped them some more supplies, and our spare toilet rolls, the weather had started to deteriorate at Halley. And so after waving goodbye and taxiing off, we were back again two minutes later to stay the night. By now it was about 10 pm so we quickly stuck up the two dome tents and clambered in. By 7 the next morning, the fog at Halley had gone and we were on our way by 8, and in by mid-morning Halley at last.
There were some 2,734 individual competitors at this year’s Jan Kjellstrom Easter Festival of Orienteering in the Forest of Dean. This must have been a pleasing number for the organisers who had been so sorely disappointed at last year’s cancellation due to the Foot and Mouth problems. I’ve never seen so many people at the Good Friday training event, probably helped out by the glorious sunshine. The first day of the individual races on the Saturday also enjoyed superb weather in a very idyllic setting within the northern fringes of the competition area. Regrettably the weather wasn’t to last, the Sunday being dull and overcast before the rain started in the afternoon, and the Monday suffered rain most of the time the relays were running – typical relays weather some would say.
However, weather apart this was a pretty successful weekend for many WAOC members. The notable successes, apart from personal triumphs, were;
Sophie Louth 2nd in W10A with 2 Championship times and Katrin Sengerova 6th with 1 Championship.
Helen Gardner 2nd in W16A with 2 Championship times
Leonie Brown 2nd in W20L with 2 Championship times and Blanka Sengerova 5th with 1 Championship.
Lindsey Freeman a super 6th of 72 in the highly competitive W50L with 2 Championship times.
Mary Palmer won the W65S.
Edward Louth a very good 5th in the M12 with 1 Championship time.
Neil Northrop a splendid 5th in the M20E with 2 Championship times.
Rolf Crook a creditable 22nd of 69 with 1 Championship in the M21L.
Robert Campbell 13th of 72 in the M35L with 1 Championship.
Adrian Taylor 49th of 168 in the M45L with 1 Championship.
Chris Brown 46th of 172 in the M50L with 1 Championship.
The Club Captain, Ian Renfrew, will be compiling a fuller report for the next Jabberwaoc once all the details have been released. This will include the thrills and spills of the Relays.
[This section removed from the online version of Jabberwaoc]
The Cambridge University Press Runners’ Club have planted a tree in memory of Dave Wotton in the Press’ grounds at Shaftesbury Road, off Brooklands Avenue. On 25th May the CUPRC are having a dedication to Dave, to which they have invited all of WAOC. There will be a short run from the Sports & Social Club starting at 2.00 pm, which should allow everyone to get around and back, showered and changed, before the dedication at 3.30 pm. You can still come to the dedication even if you don’t wish to run.
Chicksands is half way between Bedford and Shefford, off the A600, just to the West of Rowney Warren, grid ref. TL 105411.
White to Blue courses plus String. Fees £4.00/£1.50
SI electronic punching will be used. Dogs on leads, please.
Offers of help and enquiries to Peter Woods, 01223 - 721433
Rowney Wood is close by the old RAF airfield of Debden, now known by the army
as Carver Barracks,
Courses White to Light Green, plus a Training course. Fees £3.50/£1.50.
SI electronic punching will be used with Master Maps.
Offers of help to Chris Brown, 01223 - 504026
If you would like to volunteer to plan, organise or control at any future event then contact me, Bruce Marshall, Events Convenor, 01223 - 246280
Event officials for 2002 events
WAOC event organisers are always on the look-out for helpers
to take on jobs onthe day of their events. As well as contributing
to the success of these events you will get to meet colleagues in
WAOC.
Go on—make their day - with a phone call to volunteer your services.
WAOC Club merchandise for saleO-tops are as shown (you'll have to imagine the vibrant red, if
you're reading this To order your WAOC garments just send your cheque and size
requirements to Anne Duncumb.
If you require further information about sizes etc. Anne Duncumb (membership secretary) |
Follow this link to Junior Jabber, April 2002 edition
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