Just because Beat the Street is coming to an end and the clocks are about to change, there is no need to wonder what you can usefully do on a Wednesday evening to retain your sanity until the end of the week – WENTs are returning for November and December to bring structure to your life!
WENTs are for everyone who wants to train, improve their technique or just plain have fun. You don’t even have to be a member of LVO to join in. The format is simple – meet from 7.00pm, mass start at 7.30pm, strict 45 minute time limit and everyone should be well away before 9.00pm with the controls collected and gates relocked. All you need is clothing and footwear for orienteering in parkland, a headtorch that won’t blink out on you, a sense of adventure and a desire to enjoy yourself. We will have compasses and SI cards to lend those who do not have them. The provisional (waiting for clearance) programme includes Ormeau Park, Lady Dixon Park, Botanic Gardens, Antrim Castle Gardens and Musgrave Park. The last WENT will be on 13 December in Lady Dixon Park.
We aim to start at Ormeau Park on Wednesday 1 November. For those who are trying to secure a win for LVO in the Beat the Street competition your last chance to score points is on that day – but points scored after 7.00pm will not be counted as the competition will have closed. So you have a final chance to run Beat the Street for an hour or so and then come and enjoy the park after dark.
As always I would be grateful for a few volunteer planners – please let me know via publicity ‘at’ niorienteering.org.uk if you can help. I will plan WENT 1 so that everyone can see this year’s format!
In the meantime, Beat the Street is still running and there will be an urban based follow up starting soon. Watch this space for confirmed details of WENTs and BtS replacement. In the meantime – get out there and score for your club!
Philip