The weekend starting on Saturday 18 November with the  British Schools Orienteering Championships Weekend at the Training Activity Centre, Russell's Enclosure / Cannop Ponds in the Forest of Dean.  

Sunday 19 November saw the British Schools Orienteering Championships 2017 take place at New Beechenhurst also in the Forest of Dean.

Supported by the British Schools Orienteering Association and attended by youngsters from all over Britain, the event started with a rather soggy training day on Saturday at Cannop Ponds and continued on Sunday with the championship race at New Beechenhurst, right next to the Sculpture and Gruffalo Trail and Go Ape Junior.

More than 450 students came to compete in forest terrain, many with parents, other family members and even their dogs in tow to support them and enjoy being in this beautiful part of the forest.  It was a very cold start, but somehow, the organisers not only managed to pull off a very  smoothly run event, they also managed to arrange for the sun to shine!

A very friendly, supportive and competitive atmosphere all centred around the assembly and run in finish line resulted in only 1 point separating the top two Large Secondary Schools. Cockermouth School won with 17 points, Ulverston Victoria High School were second with 18 points and Torquay Boys Grammar School in third with 33 points.  While Sir John Deane’s College won the Tertiary Trophy.

Hunters Bar Juniors won the Primary School Competition; Newcomer Tormead School won the Small Secondary Schools Competition convincingly whilst St Andrews School, Pangbourne won the Middle/Prep Competition 2017.

Fast and furious running by some of the most competitve juniors determined to do their best, mixed with a rather muddy final control provided some very impressive slides to the finish line! 

A very entertaining and enjoyable day for everyone who attended, and no doubt, some of the individual results will highlight some upcoming orienteering stars of the future.

Thank you to Megan Carter-Davies from the University of Bristol Orienteering Club for joining us to present the prizes.

British Schools Orienteering Association, said:  "We were delighted to see so many children thoroughly enjoying the testing courses in the Forest of Dean on such a lovely sunny day. Many thanks to all the volunteers that made this event possible. We look forward to seeing you all next year at Haigh Woodland Park in Wigan."

Thank you to all those from Bristol Orienteering Klub and British Schools Orienteering Association who volunteered their time and effort.

Dates for your 2018 Diary!

Saturday 13 October 2018:
British Schools Score Championships, Moors Valley Country Park, Ringwood.

Saturday 17 November 2018:
World Schools England Team selection race and training event, Tockholes, Burnley.

Sunday 18 November 2018:
British Schools Orienteering Championships, Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan.