Hornchurch Local = WOW! & GLOSS-like
Local informal summer event celebrating World Orienteering Week (WOW!)
Sun 19th May 2019
Type of event: Local
Type of terrain: Parkland
Results
Info
Thank you for coming to the event.There were a couple of problems on Blue where controls 3 and 4 (125 & 126) were not positioned as mapped. Most people found the tape at 4 and continued but the previous control was more of a problem. Some people did manage to find it but others did not. We thank you for your patience and good grace in this matter. The map was updated near both control sites but neither the planner nor assistant planner visited the area after these changes were made. We have learnt from this and both planner and assistant will be able to do better in the future.
As this was really a training event we have reinstated everyone missing 3 and/or 4 on Blue so you are able to see your times and make your own adjustments. We have not voided the legs as there are no ranking points or other competition points at stake. We hope this is OK.
Janet Biggs
The event is open to orienteers of any ability; beginners are welcome.
There will be three courses, Yellow (fairly easy for beginners), Light Green (for improvers) and Blue (harder for more experienced orienteers).
A GLOSS look-a-like event/park race.
Location
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Nearest town: Hornchurch
- Grid Ref: TQ536849
- Postcode: RM12 6DF
- Latitude: 51.54229
- Longitude: 0.21328
- Google Map (aerial)
- Bing Map (OS)
- OpenStreetMap
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, just 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 2017 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 gym or 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
Registration 10.00 to 11.30
Starts 10.15 to 11.45
Courses close 13.45
Course Information
Yellow (2.6K), Light Green (3.7K) and Blue (5.6K). Negligible climb on courses.
Start and finish 150-200m from the car park & Visitor Centre..
Help and coaching will be available for beginners/improvers (please ask at Registration). Maps will be overprinted and bagged. Loose description sheets will be available at Registration.
Entry Details
Entry on the day at Registration close to car parking.
Senior members £7
Senior non-members £8
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 so that you continue to benefit from the sport's insurance. See the British Orienteering website for information on how to join.
Contacts / Officials
Organiser Colin Jackson (HAVOC)
Planner Dale Bennett (HAVOC)
Controller Janet Biggs (HAVOC)
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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