KNC 26: Oldbury Hill & Fishponds Wood

Location

Nearest town: Sevenoaks

• Grid Ref: TQ 577557
• Postcode: TN15 0HB
• Latitude: 51.27679
• Longitude: 0.25991
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Directions / Parking

Please note! Parking is not at the National Trust car park on Styants Bottom Road.

Roadside parking along the loop of road that gave access to the Crown Point Inn (as used at daytime events). Signed ‘Crown Point’ at each end.

Important notes:

1. The loop road can be accessed from either end, but the only vehicle exit is at the north end.

2. The route to the Start is from the south end of the loop road (details below).

3. The former Crown Point Inn is closed and its car park is not accessible.

4. Please do not attempt to park along the roadside in Styants Bottom Rd – additional posts have been put in to discourage this and we do not want to upset the locals and the National Trust, which has granted permission for us to hold the event.

Nearest postcode: TN15 0HB will get you close

What3Words: ///stones.racks.lance

Grid ref.: TQ 577557

Railway stations: Sevenoaks: 7km / Kemsing: 3.5km / Borough Green & Wrotham: 4.5km

Observing British Orienteering and Government guidelines:-

Please be respectful of other people’s wishes to observe social distancing from the time you arrive at the event until you leave.

To minimise the time for interaction with others please arrive in your O gear and depart still wearing it.

Registration & Start Times

Registration: Pre-entry only via http://www.racesignup.co.uk  by midnight Wed 23 Mar (day before event).

This will require details for safety purposes and a declaration about Covid-19.

No Registration on the night.

Directions to Start (400m):

The Start is in Oldbury Hill woods on the east side of Styants Bottom Road. 

From the south end of the loop road walk 150m along the verge until opposite Styants Bottom Rd.

Cross the A25 with care and follow Styants Bottom Rd passing the (locked) NT car park entrance. Continue along the road for 100m and the Start will be obvious, on the right.

Start period 7.30pm – 7.45pm.

Please read the Start briefing displayed (event safety & event details)

Punching start (consider social distancing)

You may leave a cagoule at the Start – the Finish (& Download) is at the same place.

Loan dibber collection at the Start.

Course Information

60 minute score. 21 controls in total. 90 – 109 and safety control 111; visit as many as you can in any order. 10 points per control, 10 points penalty per minute/part minute beyond 60 minutes. Maximum score 210 points.

Controls will be collected from 8:55pm (course closing time).

Out of bounds areas: please observe all OOB areas shown on the map.  All minor roads apart from Styants Bottom Road are OOB.  The A25 is entirely OOB except for the mandatory road crossing (if visiting Fishponds Wood) which is shown on the map. Please use this road crossing and watch for traffic as this is a fast section of road.

Safety control: If visiting Fishponds Wood, punch control 111 (south side of the A25) when entering and leaving Fishponds Wood. 

1:7,500 scale map with 5m contours. Maps will be printed on A4 waterproof paper.

Controls will be SIAC enabled. Separate/loose control descriptions will not be provided.

After your run please Download as normal, considering social distancing. 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.

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

Pre-entry only via http://www.racesignup.co.uk will open shortly

Seniors (British Orienteering members) £5, Non-members of BO £7.         

Juniors & students £3 (BO or non-BO). Please note that Under 16s may only visit the Oldbury Hill woodland (British Orienteering safety ruling)

Group: £10 (1 dibber; map for each participant) (BO or non-BO).   

Dibber loan (non SIAC): Free.

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 cagoule may be required in inclement weather. You will need to look after your car keys yourself (eg carry in zipped pocket or waist strap).

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

Terrain Description

Oldbury Hill (N of A25) and Fishponds Wood (S of A25): Mixed forest.

Facilities

Apres-O: not on this occasion.

I am anticipating that the League prizegiving will take place at the next KOL (Buckmore Park, Sat. 9th April, DFOK). At Oldbury Hill it would all be a bit awkward - the parking is separate from S/F/Download, some leaders can't make it, and it's a 15 min start window.

End of season awards:-

The Men’s and Women’s Kent Night Cups will be presented to the first Man and Woman in the League.

KNC League Prizes will be awarded to the first male and female, first (or next) male and female 40+ (‘Veteran’) and first (or next) male and female 60+ (‘SuperVeteran’) in the League. Only one prize per person, note!

The Nick Hope Cup, presented to the person attending the greatest number of KNCs in the season.

More details (eg in the event of a tie on points) are on this website under Club Info: Kent Night Cup.

Contacts / Officials

Planner & Organiser: Graham Denney

On the day: Mark Glaisher 07895 087298 knc"at"saxons-oc.org