Thanks to all club members who have been out checking our forested maps. We have 40 maps with at least some woodland and of this 18 have now been checked. Some areas are still at least partly closed to the public so it has not yet been possible for club members to access these areas. You can see the update here. The good news is that although we do have damaged areas, in quite a few cases the damage is not quite as bad as at first thought.
However we still have the following10 areas that need someone to check: Alexander and Grove Parks, Ballynahinch, Carnfunnock, Castleward, Colin Glen, Crawfordsburn, Delamont, Glenariff, Gosford and Silent Valley. As you will see there is a mix of small and more extensive areas, so there are simpler areas for less experienced members to please help to check these areas over. For the larger areas it’s absolutely fine to volunteer to check just a section. Simply email Stephen to reserve an area.
So what is involved? If you have an old map course map of the area then simply take a photocopy (black and white is OK), or alternatively Stephen can send you a pdf to print. Take a walk through the area and if there is no noticeable damage (beyond the odd tree or branch down here and there) then that’s great to just report that. That will be good news! However if you do find windblown areas, then please indicate these with a red pen on your copy and email a scan or a photo(s) of the map to Stephen, with any notes. Just a rough indication is fine – we are not looking for accurate mapping!
It’s looking like a good day on Saturday 22 February with no orientering fixture, so it’s a great opportunity to get out with a map in your hand!