KNC 13 - The Enchanted PlaceThu 16 Jan

Kent Night Cup

Local level event

Results

KNC 13 - Results

Series Scores after KNC 13

Report

Thanks for coming to this week’s KNC! When choosing which KNC to organise this year, I had the likes of Haysden, Hargate and Tunbridge Wells in front of me. But one option stood out. The forested part of The Enchanted Place is my favourite Saxons orienteering area and some of the comments I overheard at tonight’s event expressed a similar sentiment. The trouble is, what makes it a great area for orienteering also makes it very easy to make the course too hard at night. I initially stuck to the KNC standards with seven easy controls. Another couple of controls became easier during planning as I found some previously unmapped helpful paths. By the sounds of it, this culminated in producing a course that was challenging but manageable and even fun for most.

38 competitors wandered their way up the hill to the start after a bit of a delay for some latecomers. After a rushed start briefing there was a strange pause as no one went anywhere for quite a few moments after the mass start. The quandary that everyone was dealing with was whether to go east or west. I don’t think it mattered much - strong results were made starting in either direction. Suddenly, much of the group set off at once following each other. After this, I had my moment of calmly getting cold waiting for everyone to have their hour of getting lost. As the car park started to refill with people it was pleasing to see the amount of discussion going on. Less pleasing was how many people had managed to get the format wrong. This has left space at the top of the results list for some excellent performances. Some special mentions go to Peter and Graham D who managed to independently do the same efficient sequence of controls and end up within five seconds of each other, and to Brendon who had a convincing win despite having a run he was disappointed with.

I would like to thank the control collectors who all had a late night, and the Saxons officials involved in admin before and after the event.

See you at another event soon!

PD

Last updated: Fri 17 January, 2025

Overview

The Kent Night Cup returns to one of our finest orienteering areas. Runnable forest, contour detail and open heath. You are sure to be … enchanted!

NOTE : Food orders for Apres-O will need to be made a week in advance

Location Info

Near: Hartfield
Lat,Lng: 51.07912,0.10012

Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap - OpenStreetMap - AppleMaps - BingMap

Directions / Parking

Pooh Car Park, Chuck Hatch Lane, Hartfield, TN7 4EX, 51.078734, 0.100055, w3w: ///snowy.systems.employer

Recommended approach is from the B2026 south of Hartfield. Turn west into Chuck Hatch Lane then turn north into the car park 140 metres later. The car park is permanently signposted at both turnings.

Alternative approaches from the west involve small lanes. There is even a ford at the west end of Chuck Hatch Lane near its junction with Kidd’s Hill. This may be dangerous after wet or icy weather.

Free parking.

Public Transport Options

Nothing particularly useful! The bus stop at the Garage in Upper Hartfield is a pleasant 1.9km walk away via the Pooh Sticks Bridge bridleway. The 291 from Tunbridge Wells arrives at 18:17 and returns at 21:20.

Map / Terrain

1:10,000 ISOM 2017 map with 5m contours. The map was produced by Peel Land Surveys in 2018 and has been freshly updated. Maps will be printed on A4 waterproof paper.

The Enchanted Place has a diverse mix of gorse-dominated heathland and open forest with minimal undergrowth. This event will focus on the forest but there will be some heathland running too. The path network is not as extensive as in most of our areas so dust off your compass and run for the trees!

There will be wet features, steep slippery slopes and some tarmac. Wear versatile shoes and bring a change of clothes in case of a soaking.

Course Information

60 minute score course. 20 controls numbered 90 – 109; visit as many as you can within the time limit. 10 points per control. There are two dumbbells each worth a 10 point bonus - 90-91 and 100-101 - these will be marked on the map. 10 points penalty per minute/part minute beyond 60 minutes. Controls will be collected 70 minutes after the last start (course closing time).

Controls will be SIAC enabled but you must punch the finish. Loose control descriptions will not be provided - pictorial descriptions will be printed on the map.

After your run please Download as normal. Timing printouts will be provided and the results will be available on the website.

If you are able to help collect controls in afterwards, please do volunteer.

Read more about Course lengths and Difficulty here

Entry Details

Pre-entry only via https://racesignup.co.uk/knc-13-the-enchanted-place

Entering as an Individual (take part on your own)

Seniors (British Orienteering members) £7, Non-members of BO £10.

Juniors & students £4 (BO or non-BO).

Entering a Group (going round together)

1 dibber. Includes a map for each person in the Group:

£12 (British Orienteering members), £15 (non-BO), covers all in the Group

Dibber loan (non SIAC): Free.

Registration and Start times

Registration: Pre-entry only via https://racesignup.co.uk/knc-13-the-enchanted-place by midnight the night before the event.

This will require details for safety purposes.

No Registration on the night.

Assemble in the car park by 19:20 for a 400 metre walk to the start before a briefing and mass start.

Facilities

There are no toilets near the event.

Apres-O will be at The Bear Inn (formerly The Anchor), Church St, Hartfield TN7 4AG. 5 minutes drive from Pooh Car Park.

Food orders will need to be made a week in advance (unfortunately), as the pub are keeping their kitchen open specifically for us.

Menu showing above at top of this page.

If you wish to have food at the pub, please e-mail John Cross via email hidden; JavaScript is required to make your food order, by 7pm on Thursday 9th January 2025 at the latest.

You are still welcome to come to the pub after the event, even if you are not having food.

Dog restrictions

Dogs allowed on a lead

Contacts / Officials

Planner / Organiser: Peter Dobra email hidden; JavaScript is required

Nearest A&E Hospital

Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath RH17 7SA for over 17’s or Tunbridge Wells Hospital TN2 4QJ. AED on the front of Hartfield Village Hall, TN7 4AE
NHS Urgent care search

Safety Notes

Some sort of torch essential plus a small backup/reserve. Carrying a whistle is mandatory (as a casualty, blow six short blasts, wait 1 min, repeat). A hooded waterproof jacket may be required in inclement weather. You are recommended to leave an item at key drop.

An Emergency contact number will be printed on the map. Carrying a mobile phone is strongly recommended and mandatory for newcomers. You can let us know if you are lost or late, and we can contact you if you have not returned.

You must not run along the B2026, which will be marked on the map by purple crosses. You may run along other roads and driveways. Hi-vis clothing is recommended and under 17’s must be accompanied by an adult.

You must not cross any fences.

Full leg and torso cover is compulsory.

Deer are present in the area - approach them with caution. Check for ticks after your run.

Miscellaneous

There are several out of bounds areas marked by purple hatching or olive green on the map. These are people’s houses, fields and gardens. Do not enter.