Running Wild Update – Sunday 2 March

Due to some wild weather, we’re postponing our orienteering session by a week—now happening on Sunday 2 March instead of 23 February. But don’t worry—the adventure is still ON! Sign up by Tuesday 25 Feb to join us on the epic slopes of Meelmore. Expect muddy sprints, rock-hopping leaps, and marshy mayhem—because this is Running Wild after all! Oh, and bring spare clothes… because staying clean isn’t an option! Who’s ready to take on the challenge? Full details here: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/running-wild-feb-25/ Or sign-up directly here: https://forms.office.com/r/Mb2pmEgqPB #RunningWild#Orienteering#AdventureAwaits

Here Come the Colours!

You should by now have seen the posting on the NIOA website announcing the start of the 2025 Colour Series with the event at Learmount Forest, hosted by NWOC (with entries closing at 21:30 next Sunday). That signals the start of a number of year-long league series. The NISeries runs over 7 events, with your best 4 to count, so it’s time to decide your target colour for the year. The other series is hCOW, specifically for LVO members, and runs over 8 events (the club’s Autumn Trophy is the extra one). It deals only with the TD5 courses (Brown Read More …

LVO AGM Notice – Saturday 8 March, 1pm

Notice is given of LVO’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on Saturday 8 March at 1pm. This meeting will be held in person after the morning’s Club Meet. Due to Storm Éowyn, we have had to move venue, but are currently looking into using Belvoir Forest as the Club Meet and AGM location and hope to confirm this soon. Club Meet details and sign-up can be found here: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/club-meet-mar-25/ Any member wishing to bring an item of business is requested to contact the Club Secretary.

Last chance to enter NI Score Champs in Donard Forest

Last chance to enter! Entries for the NI Score Orienteering Championships close this Monday 10 February at midnight! Join us in Donard Forest on Saturday 15 February (1-2pm) and see how many controls you can visit in one hour (or 45 minutes for juniors!). Don’t miss out – Enter now: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=15142 Full event details can be found here: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/ni-score-champs-25/ NIOA Prize-giving and AGM will follow the Score event at 4pm in Kilmeggan Centre, Castlewellan.

Kids Run Wild on Meelmore Mountain on Sunday 23 February

Running Wild is taking on the mountains! Join us on Sunday 23 February, 11am-12.30pm for an epic orienteering session on the slopes of Meelmore! Get ready to dash through mud, leap off rocks, and bounce through marshes—it’s going to be wild! Don’t forget spare clothes, kids… because getting mucky is guaranteed! Who’s in? Full details can be found here or via the QR Code: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/running-wild-feb-25/ And sign-up directly here: https://forms.office.com/r/Mb2pmEgqPB

The Reality of Our Forests After Storm Éowyn

It’s hard to comprehend the damage that Storm Éowyn has wrecked on Northern Irish forests until you see them for yourselves. To get a sense of what we are dealing with, Stephen Reid has produced an incredibly sad but unfortunately truthful video from Tardree Forest. As we are slowly allowed back into our woodlands, we are coming to terms with the fact that we will not be able to orienteer in some areas for the foreseeable future. We are currently undertaking an audit of our forest maps so that we have a full picture, but stories like 10,000 trees down Read More …

Your Club Needs You!

A week after Storm Éowyn it is apparent that some of our forested areas have been hit hard, but others have been pretty much unscathed. As a club we need an audit to work out how this will affect our fixture list, so we need “boots on the ground” to check over all our mapped woodlands. This is quite an extensive task so it’s necessary to mobilise the club. No special skills are required, other than basic experience of orienteering! So what is involved? Listed here are the various maps that need to be checked, so please look at the Read More …

Donard Forest is still standing, so the NI Score Championships are on!

It is with great happiness and relief that we can announce entries for the NI Score Orienteering Championships are now open. Taking place in Donard Forest on Saturday 15 February 1pm-2pm, see how many controls you can visit within an hour (or 45mins for juniors)! Full details can be found here: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/ni-score-champs-25/ Enter directly here: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=15142 NIOA Prize-giving and AGM will follow the Score event at 4pm in Kilmeggan Centre, Castlewellan. It is with equal sadness that we’ve had to cancel the NI Night Championships. Storm Éowyn decimated Castlewellan Forest. We thank the event officials (Mark, Jo, Carol and Greg) Read More …

Sign up for Club Meet at Stranmillis College, Sat 8 Feb

After checking Stranmillis College for storm damage, we’re happy to say that our Club Meet on Saturday 8 February will definitely take place. Come along to practice sprint orienteering, control descriptions, parts of the 2011 JK course and a fun relay to end with. Full details can be found here: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/club-meet-feb-25/ Or sign-up straightaway here: https://forms.office.com/r/UGXZmq6mxw

First Aid Courses

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