JK2004 > Programme > Training Day

Training Day, SIMPSON GROUND, Friday April 9th

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Venue

Simpson Ground, near High Newton, South Cumbria. Ordnance Survey Sheet 97 Grid Reference 400 853.

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Signed from A590 at High Newton (SD402825) - then approximately 3km on narrow country roads

To High Newton from Ulverston - head East on the A590 for 14.5km.

To High Newton from M6 Junction 36 - head West on the A590 for 22.5km.

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If staying locally you are welcome to walk or cycle to the assembly area by any legal route you choose. The forest is generally accessible to the public.

For vehicles however the first mile or so from High Newton is on narrow unclassified roads. Please keep speed down - for normal reasons and see also below.

The last kilometre is on a very narrow single lane tarmac track with no passing places. For normal events at Simpson ground we use a 'no arrivals after 12.00/no departures before 12.00' and it has worked well in the past. However, this is not a normal event - our courses are open from 11.00 to 16.00. For this stretch then we will set up a "traffic light type" controlled one way system. This may mean a short wait inbound with traffic queued up along the unclassified road. Similarly there will be queuing outbound, hopefully on the tarmac lane.

Please be patient and courteous to other users, farmers, horses, cows and sheep. Any gates needing to be kept closed along the route will be marshalled.

Please display your Parking permit - otherwise there will be a charge of £2. If you haven't already purchased your Parking permit for the four days you may purchase one here at the Training Event.

All Parking will be as directed by the officials. Generally cars will enter a gently sloping field through a gate off the tarmac at the top and will be directed to park facing downwards. Minibuses and campervans will be parked on direction of the marshals. We cannot accommodate coaches.

All to exit the car park, generally downhill through the gate then bear right to regain the tarmac road facing uphill. If "traffic lights" are in operation vehicles will pull up on this road just short of the entrance gate and await the 'green light'.

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The Assembly area will be adjacent to the parking field. Toilets will be available. It is understood that all the traders will be at the Event Centre.

First Aid will be provided by the St. John Ambulance.

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The map is based on previous Chapel House and Simpson Ground maps. It has been resurveyed in early 2004 by Martin Bagness. Scale 1:10,000, 5m Contour interval.

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Simpson Ground will be familiar to many orienteers. In order to keep the terrain relevant however, only the forest will be used. What used to be the notorious Chapel House is now one of Lakeland's most runnable forests, and will accurately reflect the nature of the Graythwaite terrain. Expect much intricate contour detail, many helpful marshes, and a small network of paths and tracks.

There are many extraction lanes and rides in the forest, some wide and very obvious; they are not all on the map.

Take care; there are many spiky trees and branches. There are also lots of brashings that are very slippery when wet.

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You will be given an entry form when parking. Please complete it and bring it to Registration with the entry fee and your SI-card. Please use your own SI-card or the one you have hired for the weekend.

If you do not have an SI-card you can hire one of ours but MUST return it on the day. SI-cards hired at the Training Event MUST NOT BE USED FOR THE INDIVIDUAL DAYS OR RELAY DAY.

Travelling partners are responsible for alerting us about overdue competitors. If you have travelled alone please add details of your anticipated finishing time on your entry form.

Fees are £4.00 Adults and £2.00 Juniors. Starts are available between 11.00 and 16.00. Courses close at 17.00.

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There is one start approximately 1.2km from Assembly - allow 15mins. Clothing can be left at a dump about 1.0km from Assembly, which is within 200m of the Finish.

The Start will be set out to replicate, as far as possible, the start layout that you will encounter on the individual days. There are differences:

This event has a punching start while the Individual days have a timed start.

You will already have your map complete with control descriptions.

Starts will be on a 'turn up and go' basis, allowing for a reasonable time interval between competitors.

The Finish is as standard with the clock stopping when you punch.

Please remember to download at the caravan, even if you have retired - this is the backstop safety check. You will receive an individual printout of your times but we will not be compiling formal results.

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This is a training event. We have put it on to allow you to get used to the type of terrain and the start and finish arrangements that you will encounter later in the weekend. It will also give you a chance to stretch your legs after your journey to JK2004.

The Planner has prepared a variety of good quality courses varying from 2km and 6km which will cover the full range of technical and physical standards. If you wish to design your own course you can have a map with just all the controls on. We are printing maps 'on demand'. Choose which one you want and you can take your map with you from Registration to the Start - look at it or not - it is up to you.

SI electronic punching will be used. There will be no String Course.

There are areas shown as out of bounds - environmentally sensitive areas and "man-eating" marshes. Courses have been planned to avoid these, but competitors working out their own training must also avoid these areas. Similarly the crest of the dam is out of bounds.

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The area is generally forested and is not particularly exposed. Dress appropriately. Whistles are always advisable - cagoules may be compulsory.

Remember - travelling partners are responsible for alerting us to over late competitors. If you have come alone please add details of expected finishing time on your form.

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Planner: Andy Warner WCOC
Controller: Derek Allison WAROC
Organiser: David Downes WCOC

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