Orienteering in Thorncombe Wood
Opening of Permanent Course, 19 October 2019
established by Wimborne Orienteers with the support of Dorset Council
Thorncombe Wood is part of Hardy's Egdon Heath. It is a beautiful mixed woodland of oak, sweet chestnut and beech, extending to Black Heath and Rushy Pond in the east and patches of hazel coppice, home to dormice, in the south. Numerous swallet holes shape the terrain, and the area is crossed by the Roman Road that once ran from Dorchester to Badbury Rings.
The area was mapped by Mike Kite. In May, 20 'Oriento' controls plus Start & Finish were installed on gates, posts & benches to create a Permanent Course, which was officially opened on Saturday 19 October. For this launch event, the four Oriento courses were augmented by a 3km Technical Course using SI. 24 regular orienteers (21 WIM, 3 WSX) had a go and all seemed greatly to enjoy it. Frequent remarks highlighted (a) the sheer pleasure of navigating in such a beautiful woodland, and (b) having to concentrate hard since, if map-to-ground contact were lost, you were indeed lost!
Several visitors and some orienteers also experimented with Oriento courses. We will see much more use of smartphone apps in the future so it's good to glimpse the shape of things to come.
It was a day when the youngsters shone. Harry Bratcher-Howard was 2nd in an astonishing 24:52 - he's still M12 so goodness knows what he may be capable of! Lizzie Horsler was first girl and 3rd overall in 25:28. She also gets the prize for the most original attack point - a distinctive tree which she used to swing on many years ago!
My thanks to the team of helpers who generously gave their time to ensure the day went smoothly. Di, John, Michelle and Rodney greeted and illuminated the unknowing. The Bland and Horsler families ran the Start with practised sureness. Andrew and John managed our much-appreciated spacious parking area. Dick, Jim and Mary ran the IT & admin flawlessly, and Chris was everywhere noticing what needed to be done. Jim also learned vital facts about tent inflation... but that's another story!
Finally, my thanks to Claire Platten of Dorset Ranger Service for all she has done to support & promote orienteering in this lovely corner of Dorset.
Mike Kite
