To encourage the production of high quality maps the Map Group, on behalf of British Orienteering, awards a number of trophies to encourage high standards of mapping and related activities. 

The Map Advisory Group would like to invite nominations for the Chichester, Silva and Walsh Trophies. Maps should have been first used at events held between 1st Jan 2023 and 31st Dec 2023.  

We are inviting nominations for the 2023 Bonington Trophy, which is awarded for contributions to mapping rather than for the cartography of a specific map.

Please note that nomination text will not be available to the judges prior to the closing date for nominations.

Entries must be submitted before Sunday 25th February 2024, using the ONLINE NOMINATION FORM.

Bonington Trophy

This trophy was donated to British Orienteering by its Honorary President, Sir Chris Bonington, the world famous mountaineer. The trophy consists of a piece of rock collected from the summit of Mount Everest on Chris' 1985 expedition, mounted on a wooden plinth. It is awarded annually for the 'best contribution to mapping' which can cover a whole range of activities related to mapping.

ONLINE NOMINATION FORM.

Chichester Trophy

The Chichester Trophy was donated by the Honorary President of the British Orienteering Federation in 1971, Sir Francis Chichester. The Trophy consists of the binnacle compass used on Sir Francis' 'round the world' yacht, Gipsy Moth V, mounted on a wooden plinth. The Trophy was first awarded in 1971 to Robin Harvey and Sue Bone for their map of Leith Hill. It was originally awarded for the Best Map produced in a single year, though later it was awarded for multiple maps or contribution to mapping. In 1985, with the introduction of the 'Bonington Trophy', the 'Chichester Trophy' reverted to the original concept of the best map produced by an amateur mapper.

ONLINE NOMINATION FORM.

Silva Trophy for Professional Maps

With the high standard of professionally surveyed and drawn orienteering maps being produced in Britain, the British Orienteering Map Group decided, in 1992, that a new trophy should be awarded in recognition of these mapping companies. The Map Group annually awards the 'Silva Trophy' to the best professionally produced map. This trophy, sponsored by Silva U.K.Ltd. is made from Stourbridge crystal. This irregular shape, called cullet in the trade, is formed when the unused crystal cools. The base was made by Mike Baggott of Harlequins from English elm and the solid silver plate was purchased from a bullion supplier in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and engraved nearby. 

ONLINE NOMINATION FORM.

Walsh Trophy

This trophy was made by Mike Baggott of HOC and is sponsored by Walsh Shoes. The trophy is made of old walnut with a triangular cross-section and an etched plate with an image of Canary Wharf, London. It is awarded annually to the best urban or sprint map drawn to ISSOM specification.

ONLINE NOMINATION FORM.

Previous Award Winners

Previous Award winners can be found here.

For more information on all the mapping awards, please email:  info@britishorienteering.org.uk