Tett turret, JBiggs
Tett turret, Source: JBiggs

Hornchurch GLOSS

First 2018 GLOSS event

Sun 24th Jun 2018

Type of event: Local
Type of terrain: Parkland

Information updated: 1st Jul

Results

Info

NB. earlier start times are available 

This event is the first fixture in the 2018 GLOSS (Greater London Orienteering Summer Series) formally FROLICS. The event is open to orienteers of any ability as well as those competing in the GLOSS series; beginners are welcome. 

There will be two courses, the GLOSS Light Green standard course with an optional extension plus an easier Yellow course aimed at beginners and improvers.

Final details

Location

Location map

Nearest town: Hornchurch

Directions / Parking

Free car parking in the country park, adjacent to the Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre (run by the Essex Wildlife Trust), Squadrons Approach, Hornchurch, RM12 6DF.

Note this postcode may not be recognised. Access to Squadrons Approach, and the car park, is from the bend at the meeting point of Airfield Way and Suttons Lane - RM12 6UB / TQ535849. The car park has a 6'6" height restriction. Space may be available on nearby roads. Single yellow lines do not apply at weekends. Car park grass area may be locked soon after the end of the event; use the hard-standing area if you intend to stay on after the event.

DIRECTIONS: From M25 J30 take the A13 westward towards London. At the next interchange take the A1306 towards Rainham: 3rd exit at first roundabout and 1st exit at the second. At the next roundabout take the 1st exit towards Rainham then, at the "Dovers Corner" roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A125 towards Romford. At the cross-roads/traffic lights turn right onto South End Road, signed Hornchurch. Continue for about 1.4 miles then 120metres after a zebra crossing turn right at the traffic lights onto Airfield Way, signed to Hornchurch Country Park. Continue passed Tesco then, at the sharp left hand bend, turn right onto Squadrons Approach then left into the country park.

From M25 J29 take the A127 west towards Romford. After 1.25 miles and just before the overbridge, turn onto the slip road, signed Upminster and Cranham, then turn left at the T junction. Continue to Upminster. At the crossroads/traffic lights turn right onto the A124 towards Hornchurch. Continue to the Hornchurch one-way system keeping left onto Station Lane. Continue passed Hornchurch Station and the disused St Georges Hospital then, at the sharp right hand bend, turn left onto Squadrons Approach & left into the country park.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: the nearest railway station is Hornchurch on the District Line - 1.4K. The 252 bus (15 min Sunday service) runs from outside of the station, over the Pelican crossing. Take the bus to the Hornchurch Country Park stop. Continue in the same direction, there should be a path on the left leading into the country park car park. Event parking and registration will be in the grass area beyond.  (Note from Hornchurch station, the 256 bus goes only as far as the St Georges Hospital stop.)

Facilities

Toilets and refreshments are available at the Visitor Centre close to the car park. Please avoid taking any mud into the Visitor Centre. (From the entrance door, the toilets are past the reception counter then second door on the left and then on the left). 

Terrain Description

On the site of the former RAF Hornchurch, this country park has a mixture of ecological interest as well as heritage. The area has been landscaped with blocks of woodland, lakes, open and rough-open areas. A mountain biking trail has been created along with a horse-ride in the south-western part of the area, known as Ingrebourne Hill. There are surfaced and unsurfaced paths throughout the park. Some structures from the RAF days can still be seen including pillboxes and Tett turrets. To the east is the Ingrebourne River and its flood plain which is a haven for birdlife. Further east are the Berwick Glades and Woods. The former is a relatively newly planted woodland and the later the site of old gravel workings much of which is overgrown by scrub.

Map at 1:10,000 with 2.5m contours at ISOM 2000 standard originally surveyed and drawn by Tom Edelsten. The mountain bike trail is indicated by a smaller than standard footpath symbol. A black X indicates play equipment and a wide H a seat. A green dot indicates a small isolated tree or thicket. There are many mown paths which are indicated by narrow yellow strips. 

Registration & Start Times

NB. Earlier start time to cater for any football fans who want to get away

 

Registration              09.30 to 12noon

Starts                        09.30 to 12.30

Courses close                        14.30

Course Information

GLOSS (3.7k), GLOSS extension (2.9k):- [GLOSS + extension = 6.6k]. Yellow (2k). Negligible climb on courses. 

Start and finish 250-300m from the car park & Visitor Centre..

Help and coaching will be available for  beginners/improvers (please ask at Registration). Maps will be overprinted on waterproof paper. Loose description sheets will be available at Registration.

PLEASE NOTE: The GLOSS and the extension course maps will be printed back-to-back. Competitors continuing onto the extension need to punch at control 120 and not the Finish at the end of the GLOSS course then turn over the map. Competitors just running the GLOSS course should ignore control 120 and punch the Finish instead before going to Download.  

Entry Details

Entry on the day at Registration close to car parking.

Senior members £7

Senior non-members £9

Juniors (under 21's) £3

"Dibber" (SI card - electronic timing key) hire 50p (£30 charge for lost dibbers)

Note member means an individual holding a current subscription to British Orienteering. Non-members are allowed to compete in up to three British Orienteering registered events before being recommended to join. See the British Orienteering website for information on how to join.

Entry form

Contacts / Officials

Organiser  Colin Jackson    

Planner     Janet Biggs       

Controller  Graham Batty    

Dogs allowed?

Dogs allowed in the competition area if under control.

Safety and Risk

A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.

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