Kent Night Cup 18 Hemsted

Location

Nearest town: Cranbrook

• Grid Ref: TQ811343
• Postcode: TN17 4AN
• Latitude: 51.08261
• Longitude: 0.58834
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Directions / Parking

Tonight's KNC will be going ahead The snow is forecast to be coming in from the east from about 20:30, so we are making the following changes to tonight’s race to make travel safer for those planning to come. You now have the option to arrive and depart early, although we have tried to accommodate those who work too. 

KCC plan to grit Goddard's Green road that the car park is accessed from.

Any additional offers for control collecting will be welcomed so that we can clear the forest more quickly

There will be two mass starts: at 18:00 and the earlier time of 19:20. Registration will close 15 minutes before for each start: at 17:45 and 19:05. If you arrive later, you will still be permitted to start, but courses close strictly at 20:30, so you may not receive your full 60 minutes. You must report to download by 20:30 and will be deducted points at the standard rate for failure to do so.

Food will still be available at the pub of the night. However, the recommended car park is on a hill and may not be gritted, so you may prefer to park at The Tanyard instead (TN17 3HJ), which is the first car park on the left as you enter Cranbrook town centre. From there, it is a 200m walk along Stone Street.

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Parking is at Forestry Commission car park on the north side of Goddard’s Green Road, approximately 2 km north of Benenden and 5 km south east of Cranbrook. There will be an O-kite at the entrance to the car park. Nearest postcode TN17 4AN.

Buses are available to Cranbrook on Arriva route 5 between Maidstone and Sandhurst. Email the organiser for a lift.

Registration & Start Times

Registration: 17:15 - 17:45 (early start) and 18:45 to 19:05 (late start - please don’t be late). 

Please bring your SI dibber to Registration (if you have one). For event safety purposes you will be asked to fill in a KNC Registration Form 2018 (if you haven’t done so at a previous event).                                                                                                                           

Mass starts at 18:00 and 19:20.

Courses close at 20:30 sharp

Course Information

60-minute score, suitable for all abilities. 20 controls numbered 90 – 109; do as many as you can of either the 90s or 100s first, then swap over – no changeover control. All controls are worth the same. Lose a control per minute/part minute late back.

If you are new to Night Orienteering and would like someone to help you get started please email the organiser or make yourself known on the night.

1:10,000 scale map with 5m contours, ISOM 2000, revised 2019 by Mark Glaisher with input from Tom Dobra. Maps will be printed on A4 waterproof paper.

Note for those with SIAC dibbers: Controls will be in normal dibbing mode (they will not be SIAC-enabled).

Safety

Safety bearing is south to Goddard’s Green Road.

Whistle and spare torch are highly recommended. A hooded, waterproof jacket may be compulsory in bad weather – you will be advised at registration if this is the case.

Take care on uneven paths, tree roots, rabbit holes and other trip hazards on the forest floor. Several of the streams on the area have steep banks, so please don’t fall down them. The area is well used by dog walkers and horse riders – please run with respect around others.

The first aider is Tom Dobra, who can be found in the registration car or called on the emergency number printed on the map. A copy of the risk assessment will also be available there.

Explanation of Score courses

You don't have to visit all the controls! There is usually a time limit, instead of a set course. Points are scored for visiting controls, and deducted for finishing over the time limit. You decide which controls to visit, and in which sequence. Sometimes controls have different points values. You will need to carry a watch or phone, so you know how long you have been out.

Entry Details

Entry on the Day: Seniors (British Orienteering members) £4, Non-members of BO £6.          Juniors & students £3. Group: £10 (1 dibber; map for each participant).    Dibber loan: Free

Please sign up on the Doodle poll by Wednesday 30th January, so we know how many maps to print. Also, please state whether you would be willing to collect some controls afterwards. If you miss the deadline, just turn up anyway – we’ll print extra maps as usual.

SPORT IDENT dibbers to hire if you don’t have one. Some sort of torch is essential plus a small backup/reserve. Carrying a whistle is highly recommended (as a casualty, blow six short blasts, wait 1 min, repeat). A cagoule may be required in inclement weather.

Terrain Description

Gently sloping mixed forest with a good path network. Many of the blocks of forest contain brambles, which we have mostly marked on the map with the undergrowth screen – you may prefer to go around these. Be warned that bracken is generally interlaced with brambles too. I have tried to place controls in the nicest patches, so expect some lovely terrain running too!

Facilities

Apres O & Prizegiving: Afterwards, do join us for food (main courses <£9), drink and prizes at the White Horse pub in Cranbrook. Parking is in the free car park on Jockey Lane, TN17 3JX. Walking, the pub is on the near corner on the right as you reach the High Street.

Prize giving will take place in the pub afterwards.

Dogs allowed?

Well behaved dogs are welcome but must be under control at all times.  We would simply ask that dogs are kept on a short lead around registration, start and finish; that you give consideration to other runners and members of the public (especially children); and that you maintain the normal courtesy of clearing up any dog poo and disposing of it responsibly.

Contacts / Officials

Planner & Organiser: Tom Dobra (UBOC)