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#3: ORIENTEERING THROUGH THE SEVEN DECADES – 1980 - 1989

Congratulations to HM Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee year.

ORIENTEERING THROUGH THE SEVEN DECADES

7 DECADES, OVER 7 DAYS!

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Professional Officers through the seven decades

Nine people have held the top position in the Professional Management of the Federation.

MAY 1972 First Professional Officer, Tony Walker (right).  Left is Maggie Dye (Saxons Orienteering Club)

Source:  British Orienteering's Archive, Sheffield

NOV 1976 Brian Porteous, Professional Officer at British Orienteering from November 1976 to the end of October 1979. Later became the International Orienteering Federation President.

Source:  British Orienteering's Archive, Sheffield

JAN 1980  Roy Mason, with Hilda Gregson as Assistant.

1985 Roy Mason retitled as General Secretary.

1990  Roy Mason retitled as Director of Development. Roy left British Orienteering Federation in 1991.

1991  Hilda Gregson became Company Secretary until the end of 1995. She worked for British Orienteering Federation for 17 years.

JAN - DEC 1996  Neil Cameron was General Secretary.

NOV 1996  Don Locke was appointed Secretary-General.

2002  Robin Field was appointed as Chief Executive and Company Secretary.

2006  Chief Executive Officer Mike Hamilton.

2018  Chief Executive Officer Peter Hart.

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Presidents through the seven decades

British Orienteering Federation has had five Presidents during HM Queen’s reign…

1971 - 1972  SIR FRANCIS CHICHESTER

1976 - 1979  SIR ROGER BANNISTER

Above photo: 1974 British Championships, Blackdown.  Roger Bannister (right)

1979 - 1983 THE EARL OF MORAY

1985 - SIR CHRIS BONINGTON

2021 – PRESENT - STEVE CRAM CBE elected as British Orienteering's fifth President in April 2021.

Above photo: Steve Cram CBE, British Orienteering’s President since 2021.

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British Orienteering Federation Chairs through the seven decades

1967-1969:         Chris Brasher

1969-1972:         John Disley

1972-1975:         Bob Climie

1975-1978:         Chris James

1978-1981:         Toby Norris

1981-1984:         Clive Allen

1984-1987:         Ian McMillan

1987-1988:         Roger Lott

1988-1989:         Clive Allen

1989-1992:         Anne Braggins

1992-1994:         David Thomas

1994-1997:         Richard Speirs

1997-2000:         David Peregrine

2000-2003:         John Woodall

2003-2006:         Bob Roach

2006-2010:           Neil Cameron

2010-2013:         Lyn West

2013-2016:         Martin Ward

2016-2019:         Judith Holt

2019-present:  Drew Vanbeck

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Key highlights of British Orienteering Federation / British Orienteering Activity in 7 successive decades of her Majesty’s reign. 

Decade:  1980-89

  • 1980: National Office moved to 41, Dale Road, Matlock, Derbyshire.
  • 1985 (August): Sir Chris Bonington became President
  • Helped greatly by the publicity gained from the World Orienteering Championships in 1976, orienteering grew rapidly and became firmly established in all parts of the UK.
  • 1988 (or thereabouts): British Orienteering Federation's office moved to Riversdale, Darley Dale. Since then, the office moved to another office nearby in Darley Dale.
  • Main sponsors in the 1980s included…
    • Batchelors Cup A Soup
    • Novotel
    • Paper Sacks Information Bureau
    • Peter Dominic Wines
    • Rank Xerox
    • Robinsons Barley Waters
    • Trustee Savings Bank (TSB)
    • Silva
    • West Bromwich Building Society
    • William Younger’s Brewery
TSB Sponsoring the BOC
The William Younger Sponsor
SILVA Sponsor

Photos:  British Orienteering's Archive, Sheffield

Jennie Taylor Communications Officer, says:  "It's quite impossible in just a few news items to portray adequately all aspects of British Orienteering Federation's and British Orienteering Activities over the last seven decades.  There are so many people across the UK who have contributed so much to British Orienteering's growth and development." 

What are your personal orienteering highlights from this decade (1980-1989)?

Email:  jtaylor@britishorienteering.org.uk

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#PlatinumJubilee  #HM70

Twitter: @royalfamily
Facebook: @thebritishmonarchy

#Orienteering

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Look out for '#4: ORIENTEERING THROUGH THE SEVEN DECADES – 1990 - 1999' will be posted tomorrow (Monday 6 June) at 13:00.

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