Paul Johnson has created a fantastic range of Children's Orienteering Books. They are brilliantly written and beautifully illustrated. My three year old daughter has loved reading  'Slowly Goes Orienteering!' and would sincerely recommend the books to parents and grandparents.

The books start at just £2.99 and can be ordered by contacting Paul by email

Item posted by Caroline Povey

Emily Benham from Morgans Vale (currently based in Norway) achieved her dream of winning an elite European Championship title in Mountain Bike Orienteering by taking the gold in the middle distance race. Racing in the humid 30°C heat in the forests of Zamosc, Poland, she had the race of her life, beating Cecilia Thomasson of Sweden in 2nd place by 2 minutes 13 seconds. Benham’s time of 47.43 was also 3 minutes 23 seconds faster than bronze medallist Ingrid Stengard of Finland. Building on last summer’s silver medal at the World Championships, this was a fantastic result for Emily and represents the first European Champion title from Great Britain.

The middle distance course was 14.5km with 270m of climb and 16 control points. The first half of the course was in the hills with the route choices taking athletes through deep valleys and over high hills. Not only was the terrain tough, but the tracks exceptional muddy and slippery due to recent heavy rainfall across Central Europe. At the half way control, Emily was in touch with the leaders, but this all changed when the course took athletes through the technical forest section. With many winding paths and dense green vegetation, it became difficult to see more than 20m ahead, so constant map contact was crucial. Having a very controlled and focussed second half saw Emily make no major time losses to take the win.You can read a great account of how she won Gold, and see the maps, on her blog.

Due to the sprint race being void due to an unfair situation, Emily now leads the World Cup.  The Sprint distance race was first moved at very short notice from one city to another, and then on the new area the Women's Elite course was voided! That was due to a high gate being closed and locked on a route that many of the athletes including Emily chose to use (as the map had shown it was a valid route). The sprint race will be re-raced with a different course on Thursday. There are high hopes for a top 6 place in the sprint, and maintaining the World Cup lead! Benham is currently ranked 9th in the world with 5455 points (pending todays point score, this may change).

Emily only started Mountain Bike Orienteering in 2007 after having orienteered with Sarum Orienteering Club since the age of 11. She achieved four top 6 results from Junior World Championships in 2008/2009 and was chosen as Wiltshire and Swindon’s Sports Personality of the Year in 2010.  See Emily’s blog at www.embenham1.blogspot.com for more details.

British Orienteering Chair, Martin Ward said, "To come back from those setbacks and focus so carefully on the Middle race shows great skill, and a deserved reward for the many hours of training and preparation that Emily puts into her sport. Unfortuantely GBR won't have a relay team competing, as Emily is the only GBR rider at the European Champs, but we wish her every success in the Sprint race when it is re-run, and the mass-start Long race on Friday."

Mountain Bike Orienteering is an exciting outdoor adventure sport which involves cycling whilst navigating around a course using a detailed map and sometimes a compass.   The aim is to navigate in sequence between a set of control points and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time.  Further information can be found at http://www.bmbo.org.uk/.

Item posted by Caroline Povey

 British Orienteering is pleased to announce that Paul McGreal has been appointed as the Event Director for the 2015 World Orienteering Championships to be hosted in Scotland.

Paul has 13 years’ experience of directing major events including the ITU 2010 Edinburgh World Duathlon Championships and ‘Celtman’, the British Triathlon ‘Event of the Year’ in 2012.

Paul also has over 25 years of orienteering under his belt and is currently a member of Roxburgh Reivers orienteering club following spells as a member at ESOC, FVO, ULOS and Devon OC.

The Event Director role is part time with a work profile starting at approximately a day a week gradually building up to the event in the summer of 2015. Paul will be commencing work on WOC 2015 shortly, after he has had opportunity to familiarise himself with the progress in delivering the event. Paul will be leading an Organising Committee of committed and knowledgeable members working towards staging the World Championships.

On accepting the appointment Paul said:

“As an orienteer for over 25 years, I’m really excited about the opportunity that WOC2015 brings – both personally to help develop a sport I love, and also to help orienteering achieve the maximum positive exposure from a highly successful and professional event. I’m especially keen to see WOC2015 providing a legacy not only in terms of participation and profile, but also in terms of volunteers. It’s a great opportunity to ensure that skills, quality and enthusiasm benefits are spread across a wide area and longer timescale.

Orienteering is the sport that started me on my personal journey to an active, fulfilled, outdoor, sporting lifestyle. I’m therefore passionate that WOC2015 presents a huge opportunity to present the sport in its true competitive yet accessible light”.

We look forward to working with Paul to stage what will be a memorable and successful World Orienteering Championships staged in partnership with Scottish 6 Days, EventScotland, SOA andThe Highland Council

Mike Hamilton, Chief Executive

Register by the 30th June! www.scottish6days.com/2013

As of June 2013, a number of changes are taking place to the CRB/DBS checking process.

British Orienteering takes its responsibility to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and as such has processes in place to ensure the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers.

One of these processes has been to CRB check those volunteers working with children, young people and vulnerable adults in orienteering.

There have recently been a number of changes to the CRB process. This includes a change of name to the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) and a change to who is actually eligible to have a check.

It is really important that clubs, associations and members working with children, young people and vulnerable adults understand these changes and therefore we strongly encourage you to read the attached information document

Please note existing CRB checks remain valid until the 3 year renewal period is up. At this stage it will be necessary to establish whether you as a member are in ‘regulated activity’ and therefore require a DBS check. Please also note CRB/DBS checks are no longer part of the British Orienteering licence to coach.

These changes apply to England and Wales only. Those requiring information on the process in Scotland or Northern Ireland should contact the SOA or NIOA

If you have any further questions, please contact myself, Laura Martin at LMartin@britishorienteering.org.uk or 01629 734042 or Janine White at JWhite@britishorienteering.org.uk or 01629 734042.

item posted by Janine White

At the 2013 Annual General Meeting of British Orienteering, members voted in favour of appointing Independent Directors to the Board. The Board are now in a position to advertise for 2 independent director positions. Details are below:

This is an exciting time for British Orienteering, the national governing body for the sport of orienteering in the UK.

We are a growing sport, striving to build on our past success by expanding our participation base into new markets and aiming to continue our record of punching above our weight in international competitions.

We are a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation, with over 10,000 individual members, a staff of thirteen, and a turnover in 2012 of £1.3million, which we are actively seeking to increase through building new relationships with commercial partners.

And we are the hosts of the 2015 World Orienteering Championships, determined both to deliver an outstanding Championships and to capitalize on this opportunity to raise the profile of the sport nationwide, building a legacy for years to come.

To ensure that the strategic leadership of British Orienteering is equipped with the skills and knowledge to meet these challenges, we are seeking to appoint two exceptional candidates to the Board of British Orienteering as non-executive Independent Directors.  This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape the strategy for the development of orienteering in the UK at a key time in the history of the sport, engaging with commercial partners, funding bodies, a committed volunteer workforce and the grassroots membership.

The ideal candidates should be comfortable working at a strategic level alongside a mix of staff and volunteers, and should ideally have experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Marketing, particularly digital and/or social media
• Public and media relations
• Fundraising and sponsorship
• Commercial income generation
• Disability sport
• Safeguarding of vulnerable individuals

No prior experience of orienteering is required, although knowledge or experience of the sports or outdoor activity sectors would be an advantage.

We currently hold four full-day face-to-face Board meetings per year at the British Orienteering national office in Matlock, Derbyshire, with two meetings on weekdays and two at weekends.  Board teleconferences take place in between these, typically four times per year, generally on weekday evenings and lasting around an hour.  The Independent Director roles are voluntary and unpaid, although all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be refunded in line with our expenses policy.

One of the appointees will serve an initial term of office until Easter 2015 and the other until Easter 2016, and candidates having a particular preference for one or other period should state this in their application.  Each appointment is potentially renewable for two further periods of three years.

British Orienteering is an equal opportunities employer, and applications are welcome from all suitably qualified individuals.  However, women are currently under-represented on the Board of British Orienteering, and applications from female candidates are therefore particularly welcome.  All appointments will be made on merit.

As these appointments are for Independent Directors, candidates must not have been employed by British Orienteering, been Directors of British Orienteering, or have been involved in any national-level committee or group of British Orienteering in the ten years prior to their application.

Individuals wishing to discuss the roles further prior to application can contact the current Chair of British Orienteering, Martin Ward, at martin.ward@britishorienteering.org.uk.

To obtain an application pack, please contact Laura Martin at LMartin@britishorienteering.org.uk.  All applications must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 26 June 2013.  Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews, which will take place in July.

Item posted by Laura Martin

British Orienteering wishes to seek the views of participants about their experience of taking part in its major events. We therefore invite you to take part in these surveys about some of the major events that have been staged in 2013.

We recognise that you may not wish to take time to comment on each of the major events that you have attended this year, but we would be pleased to receive as many comments as possible – so please select which events you want to comment upon.

The survey design is based upon a questionnaire which was distributed to participants in Swedish Silva League events, and has been supplied and translated by Graham Gristwood.

We have added a few additional questions to address other topics of interest.

By participating in this survey you will provide British Orienteering with valuable feedback on its major events, which in turn will inform the provision of similar events in future years. It will also enable British Orienteering to meet its obligations and maintain its constructive dialogue with Sport England.

These surveys will be available until the 30^th June 2013.

British Night Championships 2013

JK 2013

British Sprint Distance Championships 2013

British Middle Distance Championships 2013

British Long Distance and Relay Championships 2013

Helen Errington

Event Manager

Finally, after 10 rounds spaced over 10+ weeks, the last of the Yvette Baker Trophy rounds have been staged.

Will all those who have qualified for the final to be staged by  LOG at Belton Park  on the 7th July, please contact Helen Errington to confirm they will be sending a team to the Final.

Winners and results are as follows:

EAOA

SOS 893. WAOC 886 were the only other complete team (SMOC and SUFFOC were not) so only SOS to go through.

NWOA

LOC 891. Also MDOC 886 go through as LOC in top 5 in 2012, However MDOC have indicated they are not going to the final. Consideration is being given to allowing WCOC to attend in their place as a DEE team member injury resulted in an incomplete team and thus denying WCOC an automatic place in the final. SROC and DEE were in 4th & 5th place respectively.

SEOA

SO 895. SAX 884 were second but as GO were not a complete team (6) even though SO were in the top 5 in 2012, SAX do not go to the final.

WOA

POW 890. SBOC 793 only had 8 counters, nor were SWOC & ERYRI complete so only POW go through

SWOA

BOK 894, Devon 894. The tie is a late alteration to the published results. This has come about because of the late posting of the updated YBT gold times after the JK. and a runner being on the 'wrong' course because of their change in status after the JK. QO were an incomplete team.

WMOA

WCH 895. HOC were only able to field 2 juniors.

NEOA

CLOK 897. NATO 882 were second and the team from EBOR were incomplete. (7 counters)

YHOA

HALO 892. Aire 879 were the only other complete team (SYO had 9 runners but only 8 were permitted to count). PFO and Claro were short of members, only HALO go through.

EMOA

OD 894, LEI 892, NOC 872. All three clubs go through to the final as both OD and LEI were in the top 5 in 2012.

SCOA

HH 898. SN 885 also go through as the club to represent SCOA. (Results still provisional)

This is the first time that the YBT has been held in the Spring/Summer months. Team Leader feedback will be sought and I will be recommending to Event and Competitions Committee that a small group be formed to review the YBT after the final in July.

Helen Errington

Event Manager

The British Relay Orienteering Championships took place today at Holmbury, a forested sand ridge with intricate mineworkings and some rough ground for running.

Both the Premier classes were won by convincing margins. The South Yorkshire team of Kim Baxter, Jenny Peel and Rachael Rothman stormed home in first place with a five-minute lead over South London and South Ribble. Ben Stevens, Jamie Parkinson and Peter Hodkinson brought their Oxford University ‘Posh Boys’ team home in first place on the Men’s premier, over four minutes ahead of Sheffield University’s ‘Men of Steel’. Nottingham came in third.

The winners of the Men's & Women's Premier relay on the run-in to the finish

In the other age classes, there was further success for South Yorkshire with a first and second place in M40. Mark Chapman, Martin Ward and Bill Edwards secured the victory, and the Southern Navigator Snow Men came in third.

The most contested women’s class was W50, with 14 teams competing. The Bristol OK team of Alison Simmons, Jackie Hallett and Alice Bedwell overhauled the leading team on the last leg to earn a comfortable victory, with Happy Herts and Lakeland filling the remaining podium places.

Full results for the Relays, as well as Trail-O and Saturday’s Long Championships can be found here.

Results Summary

Men’s Premier: OUOC (Ben Stevens, Jamie Parkinson, Peter Hodkinson)

Women’s Premier: SYO (Kim Baxter, Jenny Peel, Rachael Rothman)

Men’s Short: CLYDE (Simon Gardner, Thomas Wilson, Donald Petrie)

Women’s Short: SO (Anna Chapman, Lucy Thraves, Julia Jarvis)

M40: SYO (Mark Chapman, Martin Ward, Bill Edwards)

W40: INT (Lorna Eades, Jane Ackland, Heather Hartman)

M50: SROC (Mike Johnson, Andrew Quickfall, Quentin Harding)

W50: BOK (Alison Simmons, Jackie Hallett, Alice Bedwell)

M60: HOC (Michael Baggott, Brian Hughes, Andy Hemsted)

W60: DVO (Liz Godfree, Pauline Ward, Judith Holt)

M18: SYO (Michael Adams, Zachary Field, Dane Blomquist)

W18: LOC (Katie Wright, Natalie Beadle, Sarah Jones)

M14: MAROC (Jake Chapman, Alistair Chapman, Abigail Mason)

W14: AIRE (Lucy Haines, Laura King, Annie Brown)

M/W12 (Mini Relay): SOS (Jack Edwards, Dominic Emmerson, Lucy Warland)     

Mixed Ad-Hoc: GRAMP (Iain McLeod, Carolyn McLeod, Calum McLeod)

Junior Ad-Hoc: CLOK (Barnaby Warren, Aidan Rigby, Saskia Warren)

Item posted by David Maliphant

The British Orienteering Championships (long distance) were held earlier today on Winterfold and Pitch Hill, in Surrey.  In the Men's Elite race (17km) Murray Strain (INT) took the win in 93:37, ahead of Chris Smithard (DEE) in 96:38 and (still a junior) Jonny Crickmore (ShUOC) in 97:09.  The Women's Elite (11.2km) was won by Tessa Hill (HOC) in 73:37, with a good lead over second placed Sarah Rollins (BAOC) in 79:34 and third placed Helen Gardner (SLOW), 80:01.

In the junior elite classes there were victories for Sarah Jones (LOC) in W18E, Lucy Butt (SARUM) in W20E, Aidan Smith (SYO) in M18E and Peter Bray (CLOK) in M20E.

Courses were well planned with most having at least one "long leg" which provided great route choice options.  The forest was tough underfoot with bilberry and some areas of brashing, but also plenty of options for using tracks and paths, so running speeds were generally fast.

Results for all age classes are on the BOC 2013 results page.  Today's race was also round 9 of the UK Orienteering League.

Murray and Tessa after the prize-giving.  Photo: Rob Lines.

Item posted by Martin Ward.

The Rules of Orienteering and associated documents have undergone a ‘makeover’ for 2014.

This consultation will be open from 23rd March 2013 - 31st May 2013 for everyone to comment on via a survey - see details below.

Which rules and documents have changed?

The Rules of Orienteering have been split into 3 sections:

• Definitions of terms
• Rules of Orienteering – Competitors
• Rules of Orienteering – Event Officials

The Appendices have been streamlined and all the mandatory clauses are now in the Rules of Orienteering and the rest has become guidance, moved to be a Competition Rule or deleted.

The Event Guidelines have gone altogether. Their content has moved into the rules, the Appendices or been deleted.

The Competition Rules have been re- ordered to all follow the same standard format but in essence remain unchanged.

Has the content of the Rules changed?

Yes it has. The language has been modernised and now all of the rules are requirements, the terms should and shall are no longer used.

Have any new rules appeared?

One or two are new. These are in the Competitors rules and cover such things as use of mobile phones during a competition.

It might seem like there are lots of new rules for Event Officials but these have always existed, they were buried in the Appendices.

Because so much has been reworded and moved around, it is quite possible that inadvertently something has been left out or there has been an unforseen change of meaning, therefore we want competitors and Event Officials to check them over before they are published. In addition, we need comments on whether they are as user friendly as such a set of rules can be.

The rules for 2014 are available here:

British Championships
JK
Other competitions 
Junior Competitions
Rules of Orienteering

The method of making comments is by Survey Monkey, available here

Finally if there are any corrections or changes, please use the form available here to make these changes.

Thank you

Helen Errington

Event Manager

Item posted by Janine White