NI Colour Series 7 – Whitespots Country Park, Newtownards

Venue Whitespots Country Park
Date Sat, 11th Nov 23
Starts 11:00 to 16:00
iCal file iCal

Event Description

Venue

This is the last Colour Series Event of 2023 and is being run on 11th November  at Whitespots on a newly mapped area, previously known as the Leadmines.

It was first mapped by Harold White and Alan Gartside in 1980 and used for the Irish Junior Championships in that year.

Location

The parking will be in the Whitespots Country Park which is signposted from the Newtownards / Bangor dual carriageway – A21

This park is beside the Somme Centre BT23 7PH and there will be an O flag at the junction with the main road.  Please park responsibly.

Entries

Entries are open at SiEntries

Click here to enter this event      

Entries close Wednesday 8th November at 10pm

There will be limited entry-on-day; so to ensure you get a map please enter on-line.

Starts will be from 11 – 1pm

 Courses close at 3.30pm

 Map scale is 1:7500 for all courses

 Entry Fees

For those who haven’t pre-entered  registration will be available (at non-member prices) from 10.30am at the LVO van – the MOO!!  Those pre-entered can go directly to the start.  The MOO will be located at the southern end of the parking areas.

Senior (Age class 21 and over) Members £10, Non-members £12.

Junior/Student Members £5, Non-members £6.

Maximum charge for a family Members £25, Non-members £30.

Course Lengths

Brown               8km

Blue                  6.1km                

Green               5km

Short Green    3.4km                        

Light Green     3.4km                

Orange            2.7km

Yellow             1.6km                        

White               0.9km

Terrain

Whitespots is a former lead mining area on the edge of the Clandeboye Estate. Mining ended around 1910 but reminders of the industry can still be seen today in the form of chimneys , mine shafts – which are all fenced off – and spoil heaps.

The area consists of forest and open areas with a lot of gorse.  The area has an extensive path network due to bike trials being held here.  Speed will not be your friend!  This area was previously a dumping site so be aware of any pieces of metal / scrap material in the forested area.  Further to the north is the Clandeboye Estate which is mostly forested with varying levels of runnability.

The area was newly mapped in March 2023.  Please note that large areas of ferns have been marked as “open area with scattered trees”.  Crags are not large features but have been mapped and are consistent throughout the area.  It is very muddy underfoot and, even if there is a dry spell before the event, wear appropriate footwear for slippery conditions.

Autumn leaf fall means that some paths may not be so easy to follow in the wooded areas

Watch out for other park users, including dog walkers, bikers and golfers.

Facilities

Unfortunately there will be no toilets at the park.  There are public toilets in Mill St Newtownards and Abbey St in Bangor.

Dogs are permitted in the area

Start / Finish

The start is about 300m from the car park up a stony path and the finish is close to the parking.

Do not forget to Download at the MOO!!

Planner           Mark Stephens

Controller      Stephen Gilmore

Organiser       Ann Savage

 

 

 

 

 

Location

Whitespots Country Park
Bangor Road
Newtownards
BT23 7PH

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Volunteers

To volunteer at this event please email volunteer@lvo.org.uk. You can find information on each role here as well as the current list of volunteers.

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