Photograph by Steve Mallison

The person responsible for me writing this article is Andrew Dean  - a member of OD.  He was a colleague of Chris in 1975 and the conversation went along the lines of
‘you like running/walking and you know how to use a compass – then why not come along to an event and try orienteering’

We accepted the invitation and our first event was in the Wrekin  - making the mistake of tackling the M21 course in walking boots.  Despite being out for several hours we went back for more and continued as members of OD until our move to Dorset in 1987.

After a 12 year Sabbatical, during which I was one half of Mum and Dad’s taxi taking both boys to other sporting venues, we decided to see if we could take up Orienteering again. Our first event was Shillingstone in 1999 where we met John Warren and Trevor Bridle.  Once again the sport took over.

In recent years I have been interested in coaching becoming a qualified coach.  Part of that role is promoting junior orienteering within the club – ensuring young people have access to coaching/help/mentoring to enable them to progress in the sport – after all they are the future of Orienteering.  To this end I have been involved with coaching in schools, at club events and coaching courses.

Connected with junior coaching is my interest in planning junior courses – setting challenges to test the skills that they have been taught.  The most notable for all sorts of reasons (not least the weather) was the British Schools Championships at Cranesmoor in 2007 when I was co-planner with Kirsty Staunton.

One of my newest challenges is introducing my now 2 year old grandson to Orienteering.  He has already completed 2 Boxing Day Canters, a Dorset Schools Championships and several schools events (with a little help).

If you see me near the computers please take cover as past experience shows that computers and I don’t mix – the system may implode.

As a long standing injury is finally catching up with me – the advent of the sprint/urban event fits in with my physio’s recommendations  (30-35 minutes on flat even ground)  and so you may well see me looking quizzically at my map on a street corner near you.

Lynn Branford