Author: Richard Gamble

🏃‍♀️A very healthy 70 participants joined in with the map madness in last nights WEE at Ballyclare. 🗺The planner this week was Lyle Fleming. His imaginative planning, using a map flip, allowed us to stay within the park making full use of this small area. Ignoring the odd nettle sting, the two courses were enjoyed by us all. 👏A big thank you again to all who made the evening so enjoyable – planner Lyle, Alan Brett (Coordinator and IT), Thomas (starts), Alan Gartside (map printing), Billy Reed (control collection), Geoffrey Collins (results). People I always forget to thank, (sorry!) are Read More …

😮An amazing 150 participants picked up a map and ran around Antrim Castle Grounds in last nights WEE (and that’s not including parents and siblings who came along with the 95 school children). We were again blessed with another beautiful sunny evening for us to enjoy the fast courses. 🗺The planner this week was, Chloe Reed, who made great use of this small area and the two courses were really well received by both novice and experienced orienteers. 👏So, a big thanks to all who made the evening so enjoyable – planner Chloe, Alan Brett (Coordinator and IT), Peter Gamble, Read More …

For those attending WEE3 at Antrim Castle Gardens, please park in the Castle Mall Car park. Turn off the Dublin Road (A6) onto Castle Way. You will filter off Castle Way and loop round under the road to enter the car park. Allow about 5-10 minutes to get to registration/start. Enter Antrim Castle Gardens by crossing at the pedestrian crossing at the junction between the Dublin Road and Castle Way. Children should be escorted by parents. Follow the signage/tape to the registration/start/finish. Please keep to this route to avoid out of bounds. The route is shown in the map below.

☀Another sunny evening welcomed 70 runners to Barnett’s Demesne on Wednesday evening. 🗺Fresh from planning his first WEE last year, Brian Crothers, provided two thoroughly entertaining courses for us to enjoy. Fast parts over open land mixed with forest sections, kept us thinking (or should have, some of us switched off on leg 11-12). 👏Thanks to planner Brian, along with Matthew Crothers (setting out), Mark Earnshaw (Organiser), Chris Colwell (IT), Fred Hamond (starts), Alan Gartside (map printing), Harry (photos) and control collectors Sarah Gamble, Colin Smith, James Earnshaw and Poppy Gribben. 🥇Results can be found here: https://lvo.org.uk/liveresults/ The series handicap Read More …

Unfortunately Ards and North Down Borough Council have informed us that Cairn Wood is going to be closed to the public until the end of March. This week there will be heavy machinery brought in to clear the fallen trees and then paths will need repaired. We have therefore had to cancel the LVO Club Score Champs on Saturday 22 March, with the hope to be able to reinstate this event when the forest is fit for use. We appreciate the effort which goes into organising and planning events, so thank you to Alan, Steph and David who are the Read More …

Please note parking will be at the BB hall. There are signs for Belvoir Park Forest from the duel carriageway (A55). If coming from that direction, pass the main drive and take the next right up towards the BB hall and pitches.

Presently Cairn Wood is closed to the public due to the impact of Storm Eowyn. Forestry have said work to clear trees from paths should be completed by 13th March. When allowed, event planner, Steph, hopes to get into the forest as soon as possible, to check that the forest is suitable and safe for the event to take place. We will remain optimistic that the event will go ahead, but please keep an eye out for further updates. If the event is unable to take place, participants will be offered a refund or their entry can be carried on Read More …

😃Lucky for you there are some extra maps available – just message organiser Rachel Reid, Rachel@nwoc.info and let her know what colour course you want to run. ☀The weather forecast is looking fine, so don’t miss out on this great event! 🌲NI Orienteering Colour Series #1 at Learmont Forest 📆Sat 1 March 🚗Good parking and facilities at Learmount Community Development Group. But for those travelling up from Lagan Valley Orienteers and Fermanagh Orienteers, think about car sharing. LVO have a car share WhatsApp group to help. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Newcomers and novice orienteers really welcome! There are courses suitable for all ages and Read More …

Are you interested in learning a life saving skill? As well as supporting your club members with providing first aid support, you will be equipped to save a life at home. Choose between a 1-day REC 1 course or the 2-day REC 2 course. Overnight indoor and outdoor camping facilities available for those staying for the 2 days and do not want to travel. For more information and to register get in touch with Ric Gamble: rdo@niorienteeing.org.uk or 07717297676

The Sun Shines on Lead Mines 🌞 Whitespots Country Park and the adjoining forest around Helen’s tower at Clandeboye, provided a perfect setting for the Autumn Trophy. With a glorious sun, perhaps too warm until the forested parts of the course, competitors were treated to a range of tough but fair courses from James Earnshaw, trying to take account of the active undergrowth that just seemed to never stop growing in the planning stages.  😵 The myriad of tracks, criss-crossing and fading in and out, defied relying on them as the easier route choice and helped make heads scratch and keep decisions Read More …