NEJS  Jan05

This is the first of what we plan to be regular NEJS newsletters.   It is available on http://www.neorienteering.org.uk/.  It is also available as a printed version with more photos, and this version is also available as a (large) pdf file on the website.

> 2005 Plans

Here are dates for squad events we have planned:

·         1.  19th February:  Tyneside area , venue to be confirmed.  Day training – basic skills

We will send out specific flyers 4 weeks before each of these, but please put them in your diaries now.  

>O-Ringen anyone?, 17-22 July 2005:

In 2004, a group of us had a great time in Sweden at the world’s largest O event.  5 days, clockwork organisation, great terrain, clear lakes to swim in, and liquorice to eat …… we are investigating going again in 2005.    To get the best deals on transport and entry we need to book as soon as possible.  Likely cost is around £300.  It happens during the final week of term for many UK schools, but we should be able to convince schools of the educational value of the trip.

  If you are interested, please let Patrick Smyth (patrick.smyth@tiscali.co.uk) or us know by Jan 4th. We need a good idea of numbers to firm up the arrangements and get the best deals.

 

>O Tops- Reserve Yours

Here’s the latest design for the new O tops. It is based on the historic flag of Northumberland. We now have all the details from the supplier, “NoName”, (look on www.nonamesport.com at the ‘combat’ top) . Likely cost is to you is around £20 so to come to the best. possible deal   PLEASE LET US KNOW BY 4TH JAN IF YOU WILL WANT ONE

We are looking round for sponsors.  If anyone has any contacts, or ideas of companies who may contribute then please let us know. We hope to have samples to try for size very soon.

> Lakeside 16’s Weekend

On 28th-30th November, the annual BOF training camp at YMCA Lakeside, Cumbria, featured five north-east Juniors: myself, Jenny Thornton, James Gash and Robbie Unsworth from CLOK and Matthew Whitwood from NATO. The trip started on Friday evening when we gathered at Scotch Corner services for the journey to Windermere. At the end of the journey - which included a brief stop at a Kirkby Stephen chip shop - we quickly made ourselves at home amongst the other regional squads. We were briefed for the weekend by organiser Jenny Whitehead before being left to our own devices until bedtime at 11pm.

The next morning we were all ready(ish) for all the tough training opportunities (and winter weather) the Lake District areas could throw at us. We would be spending the weekend training alongside the Yorkshire and Humberside squad, sharing exercises and coaches. Our first task was a sprint race using EMIT bricks in the forest surrounding the Lakeside buildings. With a 1:4000 map it was very easy to run too fast and lose touch; I found out the hard way by running past three of my controls!
The afternoon offered the contrasting technical challenge of High Dam, just across the road from the centre. We were stationed near the top of this hilly area and had four exercises to get through: map memory and relocation in pairs; long/short legs and a control pick to do by ourselves. The pairs exercises gave us a chance to get to know new people from the Yorkshire squad, and all the exercises were challenging but fun.

The training was followed by the traditional run back to Lakeside, sharing baggage as we ran down

the hill. Then it was time for a well-earned hot shower and talk with a coach about how the training had gone.
After the evening meal (where most people remembered to eat from plates),  Helen Palmer treated us to an interesting talk about taking a year in Scandinavia to train. When this was over there was plenty of time for socialising, and the opportunity of talking with both NE juniors and friends from all over the UK. We wasted no time in discovering the FREE hot drinks machine and much hot chocolate and coffee was had by all. I went to bed slightly overcaffienated and had trouble sleeping, so Sunday was always going to be challenging.

We only had one morning's training left - this was at nearby Simpson Ground - but there was still a lot packed in. We had three different courses: a control pick, a route choice exercise and another control pick were set out so the end of one exercise was the start of the next, with the final course finishing back at the carpark. I enjoyed the variation between the exercises and the terrain required high concentration in order to get round quickly and cleanly. However it was very cold so I was pleased to get back into the car for a packed lunch and a change of clothes before the journey home. I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, especially as the weather spared us and we weren't rained on(!), and would like to thank all the people involved especially Paul and Linda for all the their hard work in giving up their weekend to take us away and also for lending me forgotten equipment!  I look forward to next year.

Catherine Taylor

> All the rest

> Things you need.

There are not many bits of essential kit for orienteering but there are a few.  For training sessions, please make sure you have your own compass, whistle, map bag and red pens.  We will always have a few spares, but we do rely on the majority of you to bring your own. Training sessions sometimes involve standing around in all weathers between exercises for briefing/debriefing, so please bring enough suitable Food and Clothing to suit the conditions, and a Rucsac to carry it in.

>Graphic Design Project?

Are you a whiz with computer graphics? Need a school/GCSE design project? To raise a bit of money, we have an idea to design some O-related mouse mats.  Fragments of maps, control descriptions – that sort of thing.  Everyone needs one.  Getting the things printed is fairly easy – we just need someone to do the clever and creative designing bit.   Let us know if you can help.

> Jargon

Aiming off:  a technique to find a point feature on a long line feature.  Deliberately aim to one side of the point so that when you reach the line feature, you know which way to turn.

Collecting feature: a long feature before or after a control. It can be used as a checking off feature before the attack point or as a catching feature after the control if it has been missed.

Handrail: a line feature that is easy to follow.  It simplifies navigation and allows you to run fast

Orientating: Turning the map so it matches the landmarks.  This can be done by matching the map to the ground, or by matching North on the map with North on the compass needle.

Thumbing: keeping track of your position on the map by folding the map and holding it with your thumb beside your chosen route. Focus attention on a reduced area of the map, the part you need to concentrate on.

[Taken from BOF website]

>Norway Exchange

We are still discussing a possible exchange with a Norwegian club, Kongsberg Orienteringslag. They are based 80km from Oslo. It’s an exciting opportunity though there are many details to sort out, as you can imagine.  Most likely timing is 2006.

> Books:

Use up those Xmas book tokens:    “Orienteering, Skills of the game”, Carol MacNeill

> Stop this drivel.

Put together a newsletter we thought.  Shouldn’t be too difficult. Lots going on. Make it red and yellow like the flag. Even we can do it. The aims are both to give you the juniors information about what is coming up, and to let any other orienteer know what has been going on. Over to you: Could we have 3 newsletters during 2005?  Please send us anything you have by end of Feb, May and September before we come chasing you. Any topic. Any format. Anything.  Please.   Otherwise you’ll have to put up with more of this.

> Thanks

Many thanks to people who have given their time, help and encouragement over the past few months:  Karen, Nicola, Duncan, Pippa, Patrick, Jane, Peter, John, Mike, Heather…… and anyone else we have missed.

 Contact: Linda_Thornton@ntlworld.com, tel 01287 635829 between 7 and 9pm.