Author: Philip Baxter

Thanks to those that indicated they would like to attend but we have had to postpone the planned controllers’ workshop to Monday 16 January.  If you are interested in attending please let Philip know on publicity@niorienteering.org.uk . I will put a reminder up closer to the date but please put the event into your diary and keep the evening free

Sorry about the date mishap – 12 December (next Monday) – hope to see you there The NIOA Committee invite you to a workshop to be held in the Royal School Dungannon on Monday 12th December starting at 7.30pm. Despite the apparent formality of the invitation, the workshop is for any orienteer, from NIOA or the IOA, who would like to spend a couple of hours developing their understanding of what an Event Controller should (or shouldn’t) do! Have you already been asked to control – or do you think you are going to be? Did you have a good idea Read More …

Thanks to Conor, Susan, Cara, Sean, Richard, Sid and Pete who stepped up to put on last week’s WENT in Dixon Park, 25 got to run Helen’s challenges. It is great to see club members coming to the fore when needed. This week we are in Wallace Park in Lisburn. We have used the park before for MicrO sessions in the summer months but we have not been there at night for some time. The park is small and so we will also be venturing out into the local street network. There will be absolutely no need for any crossing of Read More …

Thanks to Susan, Conor, Cara, Pete and Sid who have offered to step in and help Sean, Wednesday’s WENT is on. Registration will open in the top car park of Lady Dixon Park at 7.00 pm for a mass start at 7.30 pm. There are likely to be more runners than we have seen so far so please try to get to the park a little earlier than usual. 30 runners enjoyed Andy’s planning last week in Belmont Park. Helen has planned this week’s challenges which are suitable for all standards. All you need to bring is yourself in suitable Read More …

The next WENT is planned for Lady Dixon Park on Wednesday. While Helen and I can hang controls on Wed morning we do need a couple more volunteers to manage registration etc in the evening. So far only Sean has put up his hand. Unless someone else volunteers before Monday evening we will have to postpone the training. Only one volunteer will have to stay behind to man the fort after the start. All the others will be able to run; they just need to plan to be at Dixon Park by 1850 to control access, registration etc. Please don’t Read More …

WENT 5 is scheduled for next Wednesday, 30th November. Unfortunately the Baxters will be at a family funeral that day and may not be able be there for the evening. The control sites are planned and taped up and we will have the maps printed early so we are looking for a couple of volunteers to hang controls on Wed afternoon and manage the training on the evening. There is likely to be a bumper turn out hence the request for more than one volunteer. If you can help please let Philip know via publicity@niorienteering.org.uk

Thanks to Jeff Johnston’s cunning planning, 22 club members and visitors enjoyed mixed success last week in Barnett Demesne. This week will see us in a much smaller park with rather less hill rep running. Andy Lennox has devised a lay out that will keep us all going for the allotted 45 minutes. Meet in the CIYMS car park off Circular Road at 1900 for a 1930 start. Newcomers are always welcome and this week would be a good one to have a first go at orienteering by night. We will have spare headtorches so don’t use that as an Read More …

The first of a series of NIOA Workshops designed to hep volunteers within our sport will be held next Monday 21st November in Dungannon. All are most welcome to attend – the workshop is open to NIOA and IOA members and anyone they may care to bring who can contribute or benefit. The aim is to discover how we might best use Social Media and other electronic communication methods to reach members and newcomers alike. The workshop will be just that – not a central lecture but a session during which we can gain from each others’ ideas and experience, Read More …

To make up for the loss of the Castle Ward event on Saturday (19th), Helen and Olivia have volunteered to put on some coaching at Hillsborough Forest Park. This will start at 1100 with running training (by Allan Bogle) for all abilities, aimed at improving running style and skills. There will then be some technical training to exercise the little grey cells, starting at about 1130. Come to all or part of the session – up to you. It should finish at about 1300. It would be very helpful for map printing if you could let Helen know if you intend Read More …