Sunday league event - Blean

Parking and assembly is at Mount Ephraim gardens where toilets and a tea room are available. There will be a 1.8k walk through orchards and along a quiet road to the start (and a bit less on the return).

This is just 5 minutes drive from the eastern end of the M2.

Blean woods is one of our most popular areas due to the fine woods and interesting small stream valley.

Location

Nearest town: Hernhill

• Grid Ref: TR 076 606
• Postcode: CT2 9LE
• Latitude: 51.30605
• Longitude: 0.95836
• Google Map
• Streetmap (OS 50k)
• Bing Map (OS 50k)
• OpenStreetMap

Directions / Parking

Entrance to Mount Ephraim gardens is via the north entrance (not main entrance) off the road between Staplestreet and Hernehill (at grid ref. TR063605, postcode ME13 9JX).

This is about 5 mins drive from the end of the M2.

From the end of the M2 travelling eastbound continue on A299 for 1k then exit left signed Staplestreet. Almost immediatly turn left again to go over the main road and then right at the end. Continue 1.5k to Staplestreet where you take second left (signed Hernehill and "O" signed). Entrance to the gardens is on the right after 0.5k.

Public Transport options

Nearest railway stations Faversham (approx 5k) and Selling (approx 4k).

Registration & Start Times

Registration 10.00 to 12.00

Starts 10.30 to 12.30

Courses close 14.30

Course Information

The following courses will be available (lengths subject to controlling).

Brown - 6.5km (physically and technically challenging for experienced orienteers)

Blue - 5.6km (technically challenging for experienced orienteers)

Green - 3.7km (shorter but still with a technical challenge)

Light green - 3.5 km (slightly easier for improvers and those who like shorter course)

Orange - 3.2km (for novices and improving juniors)

Yellow - 2.0km (mainly for juniors)

Score course - as many controls as you can find in 60 mins (for anyone, especially those who like the freedom to make up their own route) - Note this course is entry on the day only but if you send your details to the organiser beforehand you will benefit from the pre-entry discount.

Note there is a 1.8km walk from assembly to the start. This will be through orchards and then along a quiet road to the woods. Because of the road children should be accompanied. Clothing can be left at the finish on route to the start.

Explanation of colour courses

• White are very easy with all controls on paths. They are mainly used by 6-10 year olds and family groups.
• Yellow use simple linear features like paths, walls and streams. They are mainly used by under 12’s and family groups.
• Orange progress to basic use of the compass and route choice. They are ideal for novice adults or experienced youngsters.
• Light Green are ideal for improvers as the navigational difficulty begins to increase and uses simple contours and point features.
• Green are used mostly by experienced under 18’s and adults wanting a short but challenging course with a very hard navigational difficulty.
• Blue are a longer, more physically demanding course in comparison to the green. The distances are more varied between controls and the course attracts experienced orienteers.
• Brown & Black are very physically demanding and have a very hard navigational difficulty. They are for experienced orienteers only.
• Score means visiting as many controls as possible in any order in a specific time, like 45mins.

Entry Details

Entries by Fabian4 web-site (http://www.fabian4.co.uk/default.aspx?EventID=2065) preferred though there will be entry on the day subject to map availability. Closing date for online entries 17th May.

If you plan to bring a group and have not pre-entered please contact the organiser so we can ensure that sufficient maps are printed.

Fees,

In advance (fabian4):

Adults on Light green to Brown courses £7 (+£2 for non BOF members), Orange and Yellow couses £3.

Juniors (any course) £3

On the day:

Light green to Brown courses £9, Orange and Yellow couses £3.

Orange and Yellow couses (adult or junior) £3

Juniors (any course) £3

 

Saxons...if you are coming and can help on the day please contact the organiser who will send you a helpers discount code.

Terrain Description

A hill capped with rhododendron clumps surrounded by nicely runnable coppice falling to a small stream valley. There is a good path network on the hill but pleasantly few paths on the eastern side of the stream. This gives scope for physically and navigationally challenging courses in a compact area. In May should be at is most picturesque.

The map scale is 1:7,500 recently updated,  specification is ISOM 2000.

Facilities

Toilets and tea room at the gardens are available without needing to pay the entry fee (but not the rest of the gardens). Please make good use of the tea room so they get something back for allowing us to use the facilities

Water and squash at assembly (and near finish if hot).

Dogs allowed?

Dogs welcome on a lead.

Contacts / Officials

Planner: Brendon Howe

Organiser: Simon Blanchflower

Controller: Mike Perry